Five referendums passed in 2024 contributing over $96 million for open space, farmland, forests and recreation.
Voters in three Pennsylvania townships in the fall 2024 election voted to enact open space taxes and borrow money to conserve open space. Voters approved open space taxes in another two municipalities in spring 2024. Four of 2024’s votes were for open space taxes on income or property and one for a bond issue. Votes in favor ranged from 54% to 69%.
For three townships, these were the first referendums of this kind:
- Chester – East Whiteland Township (Property and Income tax)
- Chester – Uwchlan Township (Income tax)
- Lehigh – Whitehall Township (Property tax)
For Lower Makefield Township in Bucks, this was its third referendum leveraging a bond, which passed with 69% approval. The past two were passed in 1998 for $7.5 million and $15 million in 2008. Heidelberg Township in Lehigh County successfully passed an earned income tax increase with a 57% approval after its 2007 attempt failed.
For more information visit the Municipal Open Space Programs and Referendums library.
Read the Status Report on Local Municipal Open Space Referendums in Pennsylvania.
Data sourced from The Trust for Public Land’s LandVote page
Charts created by WeConservePA
