Philadelphia, PA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing table
- Table 14-701-1 through 14-701-4
- RSD-1 front yard min.
- 35 ft.
- RSA-3 front yard min.
- 8 ft.
- RSA-6 rear yard min.
- 7 ft.
- Base fine
- up to $300/day, § 1-109
Summary
Minimum front, side, and rear yard depths are fixed per zoning district in the Zoning Code's dimensional tables, from 35 ft. front yards in RSD-1 down to 7-9 ft. rear yards in RSA-5/RSA-6.
District Name RSD-1 RSD-2 RSD-3 RSA-1 RSA-2 RSA-3 RSA-4 RSA-5 RSA-6 RTA-1 RTA-2 [...] Front Yard Depth Minimum (ft) 35 35 25 25 15 8 15 [4][5] [4] 8 [4][5] [...] Rear Yard Min. Depth (ft) 30 30 25 25 20 15; other 20 20; other 25 9 [7] 7 15; other 20 7
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 Code: Electronic version of The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter is current through August 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Philadelphia Code § 14-701 sets lot dimensions, yard depths, and height limits for every base zoning district in Table 14-701-1 (lower-density residential) through Table 14-701-4 (industrial). For the lower-density residential districts, the front yard minimum runs from 35 ft. in RSD-1 and RSD-2 down to 8 ft. in RSA-3 and RTA-1, while rear yard minimums run from 30 ft. in RSD-1/RSD-2 to as little as 7 ft. in RSA-6 and RTA-2. Side yard widths are set separately by district and lot type. A zoning permit application is checked against these tables before Licenses & Inspections will issue it.
Violations & Fines
Building without the required setback is a Zoning Code violation; L&I issues a notice of violation and can revoke or deny the zoning permit if the deficiency isn't corrected within 30 days. General Code penalty under § 1-109 is a fine of up to $300 per offense, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my lot's exact setback?
Do setbacks differ for commercial zones?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Philadelphia
Compare Philadelphia to another location·View the Pennsylvania building setbacks & zoning overview
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