A. 
The Board of Supervisors of Middletown Township, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has adopted, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, this chapter governing the subdivision and development of land within Middletown Township.
B. 
This chapter shall become effective and shall remain in effect until modified, amended or rescinded by the Board of Supervisors.
C. 
The existing ordinance, adopted August 9, 1967, and entitled "Middletown Township Subdivision and Land Development Regulations," and all supplements and amendments thereto, are hereby repealed. Provided, however, if the present ordinance is held to be ineffective or invalid by reason of some irregularity in or impediment to its passage, this repealer shall also be ineffective as aforesaid. Then and in that event, the ordinance of 1967, together with its supplements and amendments, would necessarily remain in full force and effect.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate and control the division and development of land within Middletown Township, pursuant to the authority set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., setting forth the procedures to be followed by the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors in order to promote the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community.
[Amended 12-1-1992 by Ord. No. 92-16; 8-16-2000 by Ord. No. 00-09]
It is the general intent of this chapter to regulate the division and development of land as to:
A. 
Regulate the flow of traffic in the streets and highways.
B. 
Further the orderly and appropriate use of land.
C. 
Secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers.
D. 
Facilitate adequate provision for transportation, water, stormwater management, sewerage, schools, parks, playgrounds and other public facilities.
E. 
Assure sites suitable for building purposes and human habitation, and to provide for the harmonious development of Middletown Township.
F. 
Coordinate existing streets with proposed streets, parks or other features of the Township.
G. 
Ensure adequate open space for traffic, recreation, light and air.
H. 
Provide proper distribution of population.
I. 
Give effect to the policies and proposals of the Comprehensive Plan for Middletown Township.
J. 
Plan and manage stormwater runoff by regulating subdivisions and land developments in a manner consistent with the Neshaminy Creek Watershed Stormwater Management Plan and other relevant stormwater management.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 431, Stormwater Management for Neshaminy Creek Watershed.
From and after the effective date of this chapter, any subdivision or land development filed thereafter shall be in conformity with this chapter and all standards and specifications adopted as part of this chapter.
A. 
The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements to meet the above-stated purpose and intent. When provisions, standards and specifications of this chapter impose greater restrictions than those of any state statute, other ordinance or regulation, this chapter shall be controlling unless specified to the contrary.
B. 
This chapter does not repeal, abrogate, annul or in any way impair or interfere with existing provisions of other laws or ordinances, except those specifically or explicitly repealed by this chapter, or any private restrictions placed upon property by covenant, deed or other private agreement unless repugnant hereto.
C. 
Provisions in the Middletown Township Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 500) providing for varying design standards shall not be considered to be in conflict with the provisions of this chapter.
It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that:
A. 
If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision of this chapter to be invalid or ineffective in whole or in part, the effect of such decision shall be limited to those provisions which are expressly stated in the decision to be invalid or ineffective, and all other provisions of this chapter shall continue to be separately and fully effective.
B. 
If a court of competent jurisdiction finds the application of any provision or provisions of this chapter to any lot, building or other structure, or tract of land, to be invalid or ineffective, in whole or in part, the effect of such decision shall be limited to the person, property or situation immediately involved in the controversy, and the application of any such provision to other persons, property or situations shall not be affected.
C. 
This chapter would have been adopted had such unconstitutional, illegal or invalid provision not been included herein.
[Amended 12-1-1992 by Ord. No. 92-13]
A. 
Subdivision and development control.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any land in the Township, or any other person, firm or corporation, to subdivide any lot, tract or parcel of land, or lay out, construct, open or dedicate for public use or travel any street, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, drainage facilities or other facilities in connection therewith, or for the common use of occupants of buildings within the subdivision or land development, unless and until final plans of such subdivision or development shall:
(a) 
Have been prepared by a registered professional engineer or registered land surveyor;
(b) 
Signed by the record owners of the land, and said signature notarized; and
(c) 
Submitted to and approved in writing thereon by the Township Board of Supervisors and recorded in the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds Office in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
(2) 
Before the approval of a plat by the Township, a copy shall be transmitted to the Bucks County Planning Commission, and that Commission shall make a report thereon to the Board of Supervisors. Pending the receipt and consideration of such report, the Township shall defer action thereon, but if such report is not received by the Township within 30 days from the submission, or within such further time as may be agreed upon by the Township, the Township may proceed to action thereon.
B. 
Sale of lots; issuance of building permits for erection of buildings.
(1) 
No lot or condominium unit in a subdivision may be sold and no permit to erect, alter or repair any building upon land in a subdivision or land development may be issued unless and until a plan has received final approval and until the municipal improvements required by the Board of Supervisors in connection therewith have either been constructed or guaranteed as hereinafter provided.
(2) 
No building in a subdivision or land development depending on ingress and egress upon the improvement of any street or streets herein provided for shall be permitted to be occupied before improvements are fully completed from a now existing paved street to and across the front of the lot on which the building is located and/or to a sufficient depth along the side of the lot to service any driveway, driveways or parking spaces.
(3) 
No building depending upon public water and sewer facilities shall be permitted to be occupied before such facilities are fully provided and operational.