Philadelphia, PA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- RSD/RSA-1 to 5/RTA-1 cap
- 38 ft.
- RSA-6 default cap
- 25 ft.
- RTA-2 limit
- 3 stories
- RSA-6 parapet allowance
- 8 in. above max height
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Licenses & Inspections
Summary
Most Philadelphia rowhouse and detached-house zones cap building height at 38 feet, with lower limits in RSA-6 and RTA-2 districts.
District Name RSD-1 RSD-2 RSD-3 RSA-1 RSA-2 RSA-3 RSA-4 RSA-5 RSA-6 RTA-1 RTA-2 ... Height Maximum (ft.) 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 25 [10] 38 35 [11] ... [10] In the RSA-6 district, parapet walls on the front and rear facades may only extend 8 in. above the maximum height. The maximum height shall be 35 ft. if any of the following conditions apply... [11] In the RTA-2 district, the maximum number of stories is three.
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
Table 14-701-1 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code sets a 38-foot maximum building height across the RSD-1 through RSD-3 detached-house districts, RSA-1 through RSA-5 attached-house districts, and RTA-1 two-family district. RSA-6 is capped lower, at 25 ft. by default (35 ft. or 38 ft. under specific affordability or block-context conditions in note [10]), and RTA-2 is limited to three stories under note [11]. Parapet walls on RSA-6 front and rear facades may extend only 8 inches above the maximum height. Multi-family (RM) and mixed-use (RMX) districts are covered separately under Table 14-701-2 with their own, generally taller, height caps. A zoning permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) is required before building above these limits or seeking a variance.
Violations & Fines
Building above the district height cap without an approved variance is a zoning code violation enforceable by L&I; the department can issue a stop-work order or require removal of the noncompliant portion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be in most Philadelphia rowhouse zones?
Is the height limit different in RSA-6?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Philadelphia
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