Zoning Guide

Philadelphia Zoning & Land Use Guide

Sources checked· 2026-03-22
Last updated: Verified:

Key Zoning Facts

Local Zoning / Building Office
Philadelphia City Planning Commission(215) 683-4615
Building Code Edition
Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code using 2021 International Codes with Pennsylvania and local amendments (mandatory July 1, 2026)
ADU / Accessory Apartment
Yes
Example District
RSA-5 — Residential Single-Family Attached
Max Height
38 ft

Regulatory Layers That Apply in Philadelphia

Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.

Federal

State — Pennsylvania

  • Building Code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code / Philadelphia Title 4 using 2021 International Codes with applicable amendments
View Pennsylvania zoning overview

County — Philadelphia County

  • Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning

City / Municipal

The municipality's zoning ordinance, building-code enforcement, and local permits form the primary local layer of land-use regulation for your property.

Overlay Districts

No overlay districts identified.

Private Restrictions

  • Private covenants, deed restrictions, condominium rules, or association rules can impose requirements beyond zoning.
  • Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.

Primary Zoning Districts

RSA-5Residential Single-Family Attached
Min Lot
1,440 sq ft
Max Height
38 ft
Front Setback
0 ft
Side Setback
0 ft
Rear Setback
9 ft
RM-1Residential Multi-Family
Min Lot
None
Max Height
45 ft
Front Setback
0 ft
Side Setback
0 ft
Rear Setback
10 ft
CMX-2Commercial Mixed-Use 2
Min Lot
None
Max Height
38 ft
Front Setback
0 ft
Side Setback
0 ft
Rear Setback
0 ft

ADU Rules in Philadelphia

ADUs:Allowed
Max Size
800 sq ft
Max Height
20 ft
Rear Setback
3 ft
Side Setback
3 ft
Parking
None required
Owner Occupancy
Required
Permit Timeline
6-12 weeks
Full ADU rules for Philadelphia →

Permit Costs & Timelines

Check Current Permit Fees & Timelines

Permit fees and review times can vary by project type, scope, valuation, and required approvals. Check the current schedule with the local permitting authority before filing.

Check current Philadelphia permit information →

Official Sources

City-specific

Philadelphia City Planning Commissionphila.govOfficial sourcePhiladelphia Municipal Codecodelibrary.amlegal.comOfficial source

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build an ADU in Philadelphia?
Yes, Philadelphia allows accessory dwelling units on lots with single-family homes in most residential zones, subject to size, setback, and owner-occupancy requirements established by the zoning code.
What zones allow multi-family housing in Philadelphia?
Multi-family housing is permitted in RM-1 through RM-4 zones, as well as in CMX (commercial mixed-use) districts at various scales.