Building Setbacks & Zoning in Bensalem, PA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Bensalem, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Bensalem Township's R-1 Residential district requires a 35-foot front yard, side yards totaling at least 30 feet with neither side less than 12 feet, and a 30-foot rear yard, under section 232-153(e) of the Zoning Code. Corner lots count the frontage on both intersecting streets as front yard, doubling the setback that would otherwise apply to one side.
Bensalem R-1 District Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsBensalem Township Code §§ 232-153(e), 232-167(e)
(e)Yards. Where a building is erected on an R-1 lot, front, side and rear yards shall be provided on each lot as follows:(1)Front yard.a.One yard, not less than 35 feet in depth.(2)Side yards.a.Two yards, not less than 30 feet in aggregate width, and neither less than 12 feet, except that in the case of a corner lot, the frontage on both streets shall be considered front yards.(3)Rear yard.a.On...
Structure Height Limits
Buildings in Bensalem's R-1 Residential district are capped at 35 feet under section 232-153(f) of the Zoning Code. A builder can go taller only by widening both side yards beyond the required minimum, gaining one extra foot of height for every extra foot of side-yard width, up to an absolute ceiling of 50 feet.
Bensalem R-1 District Building Height Limit
Some RestrictionsBensalem Township Code § 232-153(f)
(f)Height regulations. No building or structure in an R-1 district shall exceed 35 feet in height, provided that such height limits may be exceeded by one foot for each foot by which the width of each side yard is increased beyond minimum side yard requirements, up to a maximum height of 50 feet.
Lot Coverage Limits
In Bensalem Township's R-1 Residential district, a lot may not have more than 30 percent of its area covered by buildings, and total impervious surface, including the building, cannot exceed 40 percent of net lot area. Section 232-153(c) and (d) of the Zoning Code set the limits, which apply to every single-family detached home built or altered in the district.
Bensalem R-1 Lot Coverage and Impervious Limits
Some RestrictionsBensalem Township Code § 232-153(c), (d)
(c)Building area.(1)Not more than 30 percent of the area of each lot may be occupied by building area.(d)Impervious cover.(1)Not more than 40 percent of the net lot area may be covered by impervious cover including the building area.
Looking for Bucks County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bensalem city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Bucks County →