ADU rules in Montgomery County, PA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Montgomery County does no land-use zoning. Whether an accessory dwelling unit is allowed, and its size and setbacks, is decided by your borough or township under the PA Municipalities Planning Code. Check your municipality's zoning ordinance.
Under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC, Act 247), counties do not zone residential land; each of Montgomery County's 62 boroughs and townships adopts its own zoning ordinance. MPC Section 603(b) authorizes those local ordinances to regulate the 'size, height, bulk, location, erection, construction... and use of structures,' which is where ADU, in-law-suite and accessory-dwelling standards live. Some municipalities permit ADUs by right, some by special exception, and some prohibit them. Contact your township or borough zoning officer, or read your local zoning code, for the exact rule that applies to your parcel.
Building or occupying an unpermitted ADU is a municipal zoning violation; the borough or township can issue enforcement notices and daily fines and require removal. Penalties are set by local ordinance, not the county.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Montgomery County's adu rules rules stack up against other locations.
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