SB 838, a top Realtor priority, passes PA General Assembly
One of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors’ (PAR) key legislative priorities has been approved by the Pennsylvania House and Senate and is headed to the governor’s desk for signature into law. PAR pushed for Senate Bill 838, legislation that would amend the Private Licensed Schools Act to clarify that real estate and appraiser schools are exempt from the act. SB 838 ensures that these schools are not subject to duplicative regulation and fees within the commonwealth, as they are already regulated by the Department of State. SB 838 was specifically advocated for by Realtors during PAR’s annual Realtor® Day on the Hill event in June. Read more at the PAR JustListed.
Source: PAR; 10/22/2026

SEPTA temporarily cuts parking fees due to low demand
SEPTA has temporarily cut the parking fee at its garages in half. Until Dec. 31, it will cost only $2 a day to use the Frankford, Lansdale and Norristown garages, instead of $4. Fewer commuters are parking in the garages, which are about 5% to 10% full on weekdays, SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said. The transit agency hopes the price break will entice riders. “We want to see if there’s a demand we’re not serving,” Busch said. “Maybe we just landed on the wrong price point.” The transit agency began phasing in paid parking again in 2024 and doubled daily fees — to $2 to park in Regional Rail surface lots and $4 for garages. SEPTA was tightening its belt during a period of fiscal crisis and looking for ways to generate new income. Officials believed that the price was still relatively low and would help the bottom line.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 10/14/2026

Harrisburg after the ballots: PAR webinar will look inside the election results
Join Pennsylvania Association of Realtors (PAR) advocacy managers Jeff Dempsey and Marcus Huertas for an inside look at the November election results and what they mean for Pennsylvania’s political landscape. They’ll discuss changes in the General Assembly, emerging legislative priorities and what Realtors should be watching as the new session begins. This webinar will take place on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m. Register on the PAR website.
Source: PAR

Referendum roundup: ballot questions in 6 municipalities, 1 county 
Voters in several municipalities in the Philadelphia suburbs will see referendum questions on their election ballots, including a countywide referendum in Delaware County. Here’s a roundup:

• Bucks County has no referendums. 
• Chester County has three: Malvern Borough asks whether to reduce the council from seven to five members. Tredyffrin Township weighs a comprehensive, 40-item update to its home rule charter. East Whiteland Township asks whether to increase its board of supervisors from three to five.
• Delaware County has a countywide referendum asking whether to borrow up to $120 million for an environmental grant program. In Bethel Township, voters will decide whether to increase real estate taxes by 0.01 mills to support the Rachel Kohl library.
• In Montgomery County, Conshohocken Borough has two related ballot questions: whether to form a commission to study the prospect of adopting a home rule charter, and — presuming that passes — writing in names to elect commission members. Hatfield Township voters will be asked whether they favor a 0.25% increase in the earned income tax rate to fund the preservation of land and expand outdoor recreation.

View full details about the referendums on the Suburban Realtors Alliance blog: Referendum roundup for November 2026 election.

Luxury homes replace former Penn’s Purchase outlets in Buckingham
Stonehaven Homes of Devon has opened sales for the first phase of Village Crossing, a luxury community in Buckingham Township directly across Route 202 from Peddler’s Village, on the site of the long-vacant Penn’s Purchase outlet center. The outlet center was purchased by the builder’s president, John McGrath III, for $3.5 million in December 2017 after it sat dormant. The township approved the mixed-use plan for the 14-acre site about five years ago. The project calls for 18 single-family homes starting at $1.9 million and 18 condos starting at $1 million, along with two mixed-use buildings totaling 16,420 square feet of retail and commercial space, and a Victorian home restored into four apartments. McGrath called the site a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” given its proximity to Peddler’s Village, which draws about 2 million visitors a year, and said the development will significantly reduce traffic compared to its previous use, restore about 4.5 acres of green space and boost township tax revenue sevenfold.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 10/15/2026

Middletown eyes tougher road-patching rules
Middletown Township is developing a draft ordinance that would give it greater authority to require developers and utility companies to restore roads more extensively after cutting into them, an issue raised at the Oct. 5 supervisors meeting by a resident. The resident questioned why recently paved streets are dug up and patched soon afterward and whether narrow trench repairs will deteriorate under traffic and freeze-and-thaw cycles. Township engineer Dominic Cundari explained that the current ordinance limits how far beyond the disturbed area the township can require repaving. The expanded rules would apply to utilities as well as private developers, though they would not extend to state-owned highways, which remain under PennDOT permitting and restoration requirements. The measure has been discussed at two earlier meetings but remains in draft form and will likely need review by the Bucks County Planning Commission before adoption. Supervisors voiced support for protecting the township’s paving investments and asked staff to move it toward an upcoming agenda, but no vote or final timetable was set.
Source: LevittownNow; 10/15/2026

Burpee, Bucks County’s 150-year-old seed company, has been sold
W. Atlee Burpee Co., the Bucks-County-based seed and garden supply company founded in Philadelphia in 1876, has been acquired by California-based Central Garden & Pet Co. in a deal that closed Sept. 30. Former owner and executive chair George Ball, who bought the company in 1991, said his goal was to find a “strong steward” of Burpee’s legacy. The companies said Burpee will continue as a separate entity headquartered in Warminster, with CEO Jamie Mattikow remaining in charge. Fordhook Farm in Doylestown will remain part of its operations. Central, which has been in the pet and garden industries for 45 years, owns brands such as Pennington, Ferry-Morse and American Seed, reported $3.1 billion in net sales in fiscal 2025, and employs over 6,000 people. Burpee, known for building its business through mail-order catalogs, saw consumer spending on its products hit $242 million in 2025, up 120% from 2019.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 10/19/2026

Bucks County tourism booms
Visit Bucks County recently marked the success of its 2026 campaign to welcome visitors during America’s semiquincentennial and World Cup events at a gathering of about 200 tourism professionals at The Fuge in Warminster. President and CEO Paul Bencivengo said that 2025 brought more than 8.4 million visitors who contributed over $1.3 billion to the local economy, and 2026 is looking to be even better. Lodging demand has risen 3.7% in 2026, and revenue per available room has grown 9.3%, with Bucks outpacing both the state and the nation in lodging statistics. The bureau receives marketing and business support through a county grant program. See the full economic impact of tourism at the Visit Bucks County website..
Source: Bucks County Herald; 10/19/2026

Northampton to switch yard waste haulers 
Northampton Township supervisors approved a series of service contracts as the township prepares for 2027, most notably awarding a five-year yard waste disposal deal (2027 through 2031) to Britton Industries of Morrisville. The company bid $46 per ton, slightly below the roughly $48 per ton the township now pays Waste Management. The contract with Waste Management expires at the end of 2026. The board also approved a one-year extension of its trash collection agreement with Whitetail Disposal. In addition, the supervisors considered a supplemental PennDOT agreement for snow and ice removal on state roads, which currently covers 38.8 miles.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 10/19/2026 

As two fire companies merge, 10 municipalities may join in funding
Avondale and West Grove fire companies are expected to consolidate into Southern Chester County Fire Rescue on Jan. 1, 2027, creating an organization serving approximately 45,000 residents across 10 municipalities and 100 square miles. The municipalities — Avondale, Franklin, London Britain, Londonderry, London Grove, New London, New Garden, Penn, West Grove and West Marlborough — are developing a two-year, interim intermunicipal agreement to fund the nonprofit fire service through a formula based on property values, population and emergency call volume. The agreement aims to distribute costs more equitably, improve budget predictability and address rising expenses and declining volunteer numbers. The consolidated organization is expected to retain about 30 full-time and 98 part-time firefighters, four fire stations and approximately 30 pieces of equipment.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 10/14/2026

West Pikeland discusses tax revenue for police funding
In 2025, West Pikeland Township voters overwhelmingly approved a property tax increase to fund the West Pikeland Township Police Department. Township supervisors say the anticipated tax increase associated with the referendum is approximately 0.75 mills, below the 1.5-mill cap established by the ballot measure. Supervisor Bryan Maher said the increase under current budget projections would be dedicated solely to covering increased police department expenses. Supervisors also emphasized the need for a comprehensive accounting of the long-term costs associated with the project to build a new police facility at 1001 Kimberton Road project. A budget work session is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 6:30 p.m. at 1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs.
Source: West Pikeland Township; 10/12/2026 

In Westtown, preservationists push to protect Darlington Inn before sale
Preservation advocates are pressing Westtown Township to impose permanent protections on the historic Darlington Inn before selling the 203-year-old property, organizing a petition that has drawn nearly 300 verified signatures amid concerns that private ownership could leave the building vulnerable to demolition or significant exterior alterations. The campaign, organized by former township historical commission member Stephen Wahrhaftig, calls for an exterior preservation easement on the 1823 stone building near the intersection of Routes 202 and 926. The petition asks supervisors to make preservation restrictions a condition of any sale, even if those requirements reduce the property’s market value. Officials are evaluating preservation easements and other potential sale conditions, according to Township Manager Mila Carter.
Source: MyChesco; 10/12/2026

Preservation org takes ownership of 80 acres in East Nantmeal
Great Marsh Institute (GMI) announced it has assumed ownership of 80 acres of marsh and forest along Marsh Creek in East Nantmeal Township. The property, previously owned by French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, is home to a rich community of plants and animals including otters, beavers, and diverse bird species. GMI is a “501c nonprofit organization working to protect the unique Great Marsh of Northern Chester County,” according to its website. GMI plans to preserve the native biodiversity of the land and create new environmental education and research opportunities, with increased public access.
Source: East Nantmeal Township; 10/2026

West Whiteland rally highlights opposition to data centers
Local activists called for stricter data center regulations and greater public participation in local elections during an Oct. 10 rally at West Whiteland Township’s Miller Park hosted by the West Whiteland Democratic Party. Township Supervisor Libby Madarasz discussed the township’s efforts to restrict data center development through a curative amendment while updating its zoning ordinance. Resident and earth scientist Ginny Kerslake, who sits on the planning commission, called for municipalities to limit data centers to heavy industrial districts, require conditional-use approval and establish substantial setbacks from homes, schools and churches. Other speakers encouraged residents to attend public meetings, support local candidates and consider running for office, emphasizing the role of municipal government in shaping data center development.
Source: Daily Local; 10/13/2026