Delaware County, PA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- County rule
- None
- Enabling clause
- MPC §603(b)(3)
- Upper Darby R-2 front/rear
- 20 feet each
- Upper Darby R-2 side
- 22 ft aggregate, 10 ft min
- Relief
- Variance from zoning hearing board
Summary
Delaware County, PA sets no building setbacks. Under the PA Municipalities Planning Code, each of the county's 49 boroughs and townships sets its own front, side and rear yard minimums by zoning district. In Upper Darby Township's R-2 district, the minimum front yard is 20 feet, rear yard 20 feet,
Areas and dimensions of land and bodies of water to be occupied by uses and structures, as well as areas, courts, yards, and other open spaces and distances to be left unoccupied by uses and structures.
Full Breakdown
Building setbacks in Delaware County are set entirely by municipal zoning, not the county. The PA Municipalities Planning Code authorizes this at Section 603(b)(3): zoning ordinances may regulate "Areas and dimensions of land and bodies of water to be occupied by uses and structures, as well as areas, courts, yards, and other open spaces and distances to be left unoccupied by uses and structures." That last clause, distances to be left unoccupied, is the statutory basis for yard and setback minimums. Each borough and township then adopts a table of dimensional standards per zoning district.
Violations & Fines
Setback enforcement is municipal. Building into a required yard without a variance is a zoning violation handled by the local zoning officer and, on appeal, the municipal zoning hearing board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the setback requirements in Delaware County, PA?
How do I get relief from a setback?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Delaware County
Compare Delaware County to another location·View the Pennsylvania building setbacks & zoning overview
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