Erie, PA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

The City of Erie Zoning Ordinance (Article 1303 of the Codified Ordinances, Ordinance Number 80-2005) sets maximum building coverage and, in some districts, impervious coverage as part of the bulk standards for each district in Article 2 (District Regulations). Section 205 establishes the R-1 Low Density Residential limits and provides that the maximum lot coverage by buildings shall not include ground floor roofless decks, swimming pools and roofless walkways - the coverage calculation focuses on the building footprint itself. The Industrial Park district caps total coverage at 60% by main and accessory structures combined; lower-density R-1 and R-2 districts have stricter limits than higher-density R-3 and the central commercial districts. Article 3 (General Regulations) of the Zoning Ordinance provides supplemental rules applicable across districts. Stormwater controls for earth-disturbance projects are reviewed under the City's stormwater management ordinance and PA DEP NPDES Phase II MS4 requirements (25 Pa. Code Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control); projects over one acre of disturbance require a separate PA DEP / Erie County Conservation District NPDES permit. Lot-coverage compliance is verified at building-permit application via plot plan and again at field inspection by the Bureau of Code Enforcement.