MALVERN, PA — Every property in Malvern Borough could become subject to a new zoning framework as Borough Council prepares to consider a comprehensive replacement of its zoning ordinance and official map on Tuesday, October 20, potentially changing development rights, permitted land uses and building requirements throughout the municipality.
The proposed Borough of Malvern Zoning Ordinance of 2026 would repeal and replace Chapter 220 of the borough code, establishing new regulations governing residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, institutional properties, redevelopment sites and protected open space.
A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Borough Hall, 1 East First Avenue. Council could vote to adopt the ordinance during its regular meeting immediately afterward.
The proposal remains under consideration and has not been enacted.
The rewrite establishes eight residential zoning districts, designated R1 through R8, with separate standards governing permitted uses, conditional uses, special exceptions, lot dimensions, and development.
It also establishes two Town Center districts, TC-1 and TC-2, with regulations addressing building placement, design, parking, loading, and commercial activity.
Four institutional districts, a Limited Industrial district, and two Green Redevelopment districts would establish additional rules for properties with specialized uses or redevelopment potential.
The proposed ordinance also creates two Public Open Space and Conservation districts and incorporates an official zoning map defining district boundaries across the borough.
For property owners and developers, the changes could affect what may be constructed on individual parcels, the intensity of development and the approvals required for particular projects.
The proposal includes specific regulations for data centers, solar-energy systems, outdoor dining, commercial communications facilities, planned-campus developments, community gardens and temporary commercial activities.
Environmental provisions establish floodplain development requirements, steep-slope protections and standards for environmentally sensitive properties. The ordinance also incorporates the borough’s 2014 stormwater management regulations.
Historic-resource protections would operate through a designated historic overlay, with provisions governing the identification and administration of historic properties.
Parking requirements would address shared parking arrangements, accessible spaces, paving, screening and vehicle circulation. Separate provisions regulate permanent and temporary signs, including billboards.
Existing properties that do not comply with the new regulations would be addressed through nonconforming-use provisions.
Those provisions generally allow lawful nonconforming uses, structures, lots and signs to continue, subject to restrictions on expansion, changes in use and other modifications.
The ordinance would also establish procedures for zoning permits, conditional-use applications, variances, special exceptions, enforcement actions and appeals.
The accompanying zoning map is particularly consequential because district classifications determine which land uses and development standards apply to individual properties.
The public notice does not identify specific parcels proposed for rezoning or quantify changes in allowable residential density. Those effects would require comparing the existing and proposed zoning maps and district regulations.
Copies of the proposed ordinance and map are available through the borough’s website at https://www.malvern.org/m/NewsFlash/Home/Detail/107 and may be examined at Borough Hall during regular business hours.
Complete copies have also been provided to the Chester County Law Library, 201 W. Market Street in West Chester, and the Daily Local News offices at 390 Eagleview Boulevard in Exton.
Residents requiring disability-related accommodations for the hearing are instructed to contact the borough at 610-644-2602 at least three business days before the meeting.
Tuesday’s proceedings will determine whether Malvern moves forward with the proposed comprehensive zoning framework, which would replace the municipality’s existing land-use regulations rather than amend selected provisions.
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