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Palmyra Borough Council approves ordinance revising rules for amusement arcades
Summary
The Palmyra Borough Council on July 14 approved Ordinance 843, amending chapter 380 of the borough zoning code to redefine and regulate 'amusement arcades' and to change related Central Business District provisions; the Planning Commission recommended approval and the county planning department raised no objections.
The Palmyra Borough Council voted July 14 to approve Ordinance 843, an amendment to chapter 380 of the borough zoning code that revises the definition and regulation of "amusement arcades." The change affects how arcades are classified and where they may operate in the borough's Central Business District.
The ordinance, read into the record by the Chair, defines an "amusement arcade" as "a commercial establishment which provides as a principal use, amusement devices, and or games of skill or chance," citing examples including pinball machines, video games, skee-ball, electronic or water firing ranges and other similar devices. "This definition does not include the use of 3 or fewer such devices as an accessory use," the Chair said during the hearing.
The Planning Commission recommended the amendment at its June 24 meeting, and the Lebanon County Planning Department responded May 28 with no objections, the Chair noted. The ordinance language also removes a prior reference to the Central Business District in section 380-51(a) and adjusts related zoning provisions. The ordinance was legally advertised in the Lebanon Daily News on May 31, June 29 and July 6 as required by the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code, section 609.
A motion to enact the ordinance was made and seconded; the council voted in favor and the Chair announced, "Ayes have it." Council discussion on the measure was procedural and no public speakers are recorded in the hearing transcript. According to the notice schedule read at the meeting, the council may act on the ordinance at the conclusion of the hearing or any public meeting held within 60 days of the final legal advertisement; the Chair referenced Sept. 3, 2026 in that timeline.
The ordinance revises both the definitions section and the Central Business District special-exemption language; business owners and prospective arcade operators in the borough should consult the amended chapter 380 text for the precise regulatory changes and any special-exemption processes. The borough clerk will supply the adopted ordinance text following formal recording.
