How Erie Handles Building Setbacks & Zoning: A Practical Guide

Erie maintains 104 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with building setbacks & zoning. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Erie falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Lot Coverage Limits

Lot coverage in Erie is regulated by the City of Erie Zoning Ordinance (Article 1303 / Ord. 80-2005) and is set district-by-district in Article 2 (District Regulations). The Industrial Park district caps coverage by main and accessory structures at no more than 60% of the lot area. Section 205 sets R-1 lot coverage with ground floor roofless decks, swimming pools and roofless walkways excluded from the calculation. Stormwater impacts are reviewed under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.

Key details: Code: Article 1303 / Ord. 80-2005. Industrial Park: 60% max coverage (main + accessory). R-1 Coverage: Section 205 (buildings only). Excluded from Calc: Roofless decks, pools, walkways. Stormwater (E&S): 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.

Exceeding the lot-coverage maximum in the Zoning Ordinance is a zoning violation; the Bureau of Code Enforcement will not issue a Certificate of Occupancy until the parcel is brought into compliance. The Erie Zoning Office can issue notices of violation and refer cases to the District Justice for fines under the MPC enforcement framework at 53 P.S. §10617.2. Failure to comply with the City's stormwater ordinance or the underlying 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102 erosion-control requirements is separately enforceable by the Erie County Conservation District and PA DEP.

Setback Rules

Building setbacks in Erie are set by the City of Erie Zoning Ordinance (Article 1303 of the Codified Ordinances / Ordinance Number 80-2005) and vary by zoning district. In the R-1 Low Density Residential district, Section 205 of the Zoning Ordinance sets a minimum total side-yard width of 15 feet (with the least side at 5 feet minimum), and Section 205.11 sets the front-yard setback within five feet of the average depth of adjacent block structures.

Key details: Code: Article 1303 (Ord. 80-2005). R-1 Side Yards: Min total 15 ft / least side 5 ft (§205). Front Yard: Within 5 ft of block average (§205.11). Accessory Bldgs: 3 ft side/rear; 6 ft from dwelling. Variance Board: Erie Zoning Hearing Board (MPC §910.2).

Building within a required yard or otherwise violating the bulk schedule in the Zoning Ordinance is a violation enforceable by the City Zoning Office and the Bureau of Code Enforcement. The Building Code Official can issue stop-work orders and deny a Certificate of Occupancy until the structure is brought into compliance. Refer-out cases go to the District Justice for fines and the MPC enforcement framework at 53 P.S. §10617.2; each day of continuing violation may be charged separately.

Structure Height Limits

Building height in Erie is regulated by the City of Erie Zoning Ordinance (Article 1303 / Ord. 80-2005) and is set district-by-district in the bulk standards for each zoning district. Industrial Park district building height is capped at 50 feet under the Zoning Ordinance, with R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential districts subject to lower limits set in Article 2 (District Regulations). The Pennsylvania UCC IBC height/area limits apply on top.

Key details: Local Code: Article 1303 / Ord. 80-2005. Industrial Park Cap: 50 ft maximum. Residential Caps: Per district (Article 2). PA UCC: 34 Pa. Code §§401-405 (IBC). Variance: Erie Zoning Hearing Board (MPC §910.2).

Building above the height limit set by the Zoning Ordinance is a zoning violation; the Bureau of Code Enforcement will not issue a Certificate of Occupancy until the structure is brought into compliance. The Erie Zoning Office can issue notices of violation and refer cases to the District Justice for fines under the MPC enforcement framework at 53 P.S. §10617.2, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense. PA UCC / IBC height limits are enforceable separately by the Bureau of Code Enforcement with stop-work orders.

The Bottom Line

Erie's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Erie is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Erie can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.