Pottstown, PA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Section 310 defines building height as the vertical distance from front grade to the roof top for flat-roofed buildings, with perceived height measured differently for other roof shapes as illustrated in reference photos on file at Borough Hall; cupolas, towers and turrets under 50 square feet do not count toward the height calculation. The core design guideline requires a new building's height to fall within 15 percent of either the perceived height of the buildings immediately on either side of it, or the average perceived height of buildings facing the same side of the block within a 250 foot radius, whichever the applicant chooses to use.

This context-matching approach mirrors the setback formulas in Section 308 and the size formulas in Section 309, all designed to keep new construction visually consistent with Pottstown's existing historic streetscape rather than imposing a single citywide number. The Downtown District carries a specific exception: a building there may rise up to 60 feet as a conditional use if the applicant demonstrates to Borough Council's satisfaction that the taller structure remains compatible with neighboring buildings on base, body and cap design, overall form, scale, exterior material texture and pattern, and the proportion of wall to window and door openings. That 60 foot allowance applies only in the Downtown District and only through the conditional use process, not as a matter of right.