Planning Policies

Landscapes 3

Landscapes3 is the comprehensive plan for Chester County, and renews the county's commitment to balancing growth and preservation to foster vibrant communities. Landscapes3 is organized around six goal areas: Preserve, Protect, Appreciate, Live, Prosper, and Connect, and addresses land use, growth, and preservation as part of the Landscapes Map.

Environmental planning is addressed primarily within the Protect and Preserve goal areas of Landscapes3.

There is also additional discussion within two recommendations of the Connect goal:

coverChester County Climate Action Plan — October 2021

The Chester County Climate Action Plan was adopted by the County Commissioners on October 7, 2021. The plan was prepared by the Chester County Planning Commission in partnership with the County's Environmental and Energy Advisory Board. The Climate Action Plan provides a blueprint for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy efficiency at County government facilities and community-wide.

For more information about the plan, see the Climate Action Plan webpage.

Watersheds LogoWatersheds 2045

Watersheds 2045 is the Integrated Water Resources Plan for Chester County. It was adopted in 2024 and is managed by the Chester County Water Resources Authority. This Plan also serves as the county's Act 167 Plan and the county-wide Rivers Conservation Plan. Watersheds 2045 assesses the progress that has been made to protect and steward the county’s water resources since the original Watersheds Plan was adopted in 2002, and creates a roadmap for what we need to do to best manage our water resources for future generations. Learn more.