By Josh McKnight | The McKnight Team
Harleysville real estate is about to get a new line on the tax bill, and it is tied to something most residents voted for. In May 2026, Lower Salford Township residents approved an open space referendum by a wide margin. Now the board of supervisors is set to make it real. A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the township building on Main Street in Harleysville. On the table is a new 0.25% earned income tax that would start January 1, 2027.
That tax matters to your wallet and to your home’s value. Here is the local backdrop. The median sale price in Harleysville was about $564,000 in June 2026, according to Redfin. This is a steady, in-demand corner of Montgomery County, and open space is a big part of why.
What the Tax Pays For
The new 0.25% earned income tax would apply to residents and to people who work in the township. It is expected to raise about $2.4 million a year. That money would pay down debt from past land purchases, buy new open space, and cover the cost of keeping that land up. Up to a quarter of the extra yearly revenue could go toward developing and maintaining the land the township already owns.
One target is the Allebach property at 460 Stover Road. Preserving land like this keeps farmland, open views, and the rural feel that draws buyers to this part of Montgomery County in the first place.
How Open Space Affects Harleysville Real Estate Values
Here is the trade-off every homeowner should weigh. A new tax is a real cost. But preserved open space is a real benefit. Homes near protected land and trails often hold their value well, because that scenery cannot be replaced once it is built on.
In a township that markets itself on rural character, protecting that character protects the thing buyers pay for. A 0.25% earned income tax is modest for most households. For a worker earning $80,000, that is about $200 a year. The question is whether the open space it funds adds more than that to the appeal, and long-term value, of living here.
What This Means for You
If you live in Lower Salford, plan for the new tax starting in 2027 and decide if you want a say. The August 5 hearing is your chance to speak before the ordinance is adopted. If you are thinking about buying in Harleysville, factor the tax into your budget, but also weigh what preserved open space does for long-term value in a market where the median price already sits near $564,000.
Weighing a move in the Harleysville area or nearby Lansdale? We help buyers and sellers read what changes like this do to Harleysville real estate values before they show up in the comps.
Thinking about buying or selling in Lower Salford or Harleysville? Call or text The McKnight Team at (267) 458-2438.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harleysville Real Estate
What is Lower Salford’s new open space tax?
It is a proposed 0.25% earned income tax on residents and people who work in the township. It would start January 1, 2027, and is expected to raise about $2.4 million a year for open space and related costs.
When is the public hearing on the Lower Salford open space tax?
The board of supervisors will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at the township building on Main Street in Harleysville.
Will the open space tax raise my property taxes in Harleysville?
It is an earned income tax, not a property tax, so it is based on wages rather than home value. For someone earning $80,000, it works out to roughly $200 a year.
Does open space help home values in Harleysville?
Often, yes. Homes near preserved land and trails tend to hold value because the scenery cannot be built over. In an area that markets its rural character, protecting that character supports long-term demand.
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