The county sets no building height limit; municipalities do. Allentown's form-based code caps height in stories (and sometimes feet) by building type. House-scale types like the Suburban Rowhouse allow 2.5 stories, up to 3 for some units.
Building height is a municipal zoning matter under the PA MPC. Allentown's Zoning Ordinance regulates height in number of stories, and in some cases feet, per building type in Article 4. For example, the Suburban Rowhouse (§660-27.G) allows a minimum of 1.5 stories and a maximum of 2.5 stories (3 stories for up to half the units), while taller General and Storefront buildings in mixed-use zones may reach 14 stories. Section 660-131.M explains that maximums 'may not be exceeded due to sloped sites' and that height must step down with grade. Basements that are not visible do not count toward height. Confirm the exact story/feet cap for your zone and building type before designing an addition.
Exceeding the maximum stories or height is a zoning violation; the zoning officer can withhold a permit or certificate of occupancy, and the owner must reduce height or obtain a variance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Lehigh County's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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