Accessory Structures in Erie, PA (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Erie, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Erie is a Home Rule city in Erie County (population approximately 95,000) operating under a Home Rule Charter adopted in 1960 pursuant to the Pennsylvania Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law. The Erie Zoning Ordinance is a separate document from the Erie City Code on American Legal Publishing at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/erie/. Pennsylvania has no statewide accessory dwelling unit preemption statute, so ADU permissibility, density, owner-occupancy requirements, and design standards in Erie are determined entirely by the Erie Zoning Ordinance under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (53 P.S. §10101 et seq.). Property owners must consult the Zoning Ordinance and Erie Department of Planning and Neighborhood Resources for whether ADUs (variously called accessory apartments, in-law suites, or second dwelling units) are permitted by right, by special exception, or by conditional use in the applicable residential district.
Erie PA ADU Rules (Erie Zoning Ordinance; PA MPC 53 P.S. §10101 et seq.; No State ADU Preemption)
Some RestrictionsADU Permits
An accessory dwelling unit in Erie requires permits from two municipal offices: a zoning permit from the Erie Department of Planning and Neighborhood Resources (confirming the ADU is permitted in the district under the Erie Zoning Ordinance, either by right or by special exception/variance through the Erie Zoning Hearing Board) and a building permit from the Erie Building Code Official under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code at 34 Pa Code §401.7 for the construction itself. Pennsylvania has no statewide ADU preemption like California's SB 9 or Oregon's HB 2001, so timelines, fees, and approval criteria are set by Erie and the PA UCC.
Erie PA ADU Permits (Erie Dept. of Planning; PA UCC 34 Pa Code 401.7; Zoning + Building Both Required)
Some RestrictionsADU Impact Fees
Pennsylvania municipalities have limited statutory authority to impose impact fees on new development. Under the Municipalities Planning Code Article V-A (53 P.S. §§10502-A through 10503-A), the only authorized impact fee is a transportation impact fee, and even that requires a multi-year traffic study, an adopted impact fee ordinance, and impact-fee districts. Erie has not adopted a transportation impact fee ordinance under Article V-A as of mid-2024. Other typical "impact" charges (water/sewer connection fees, school district contributions, recreation fees) operate under separate authorities. ADU applicants in Erie generally face only standard zoning and building permit fees, water/sewer tap-in charges through Erie Water Works and the Erie Sewer Authority, and any school district enrollment-related charges if dwelling-unit count increases.
Erie PA ADU Impact Fees (PA MPC 53 P.S. §10502-A Transportation Impact Fee Authority; Limited Use)
Few RestrictionsShed Rules
Sheds and similar accessory structures in Erie are regulated through two layers: (1) the Erie Zoning Ordinance, which sets dimensional standards (size, height, setbacks, lot coverage, location relative to the principal dwelling) by district; and (2) the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code at 34 Pa Code §403.1, which exempts non-residential utility sheds under 1,000 square feet from UCC permitting but does not exempt them from local zoning compliance. Erie property owners typically need a zoning permit from the Department of Planning and Neighborhood Resources even when no building permit is required, especially on Erie's older narrow lots near the bayfront and east-side where rear-yard space is constrained.
Erie PA Shed Rules (Erie Zoning Ordinance; PA UCC Exemption for Sheds <1,000 sq ft, 34 Pa Code 403.1)
Some RestrictionsGarage Conversions
Converting an Erie garage into habitable space (a bedroom, in-law suite, home office, or ADU) requires both (1) zoning approval under the Erie Zoning Ordinance for the change of use (because the converted space is no longer accessory parking and may count toward floor area or trigger an ADU classification) and (2) a building permit under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code at 34 Pa Code §401.7. Conversions must meet the 2018 International Residential Code for habitable spaces (egress windows under IRC R310, ceiling height under IRC R305, ventilation, smoke and CO alarms under IRC R314/R315), and Erie's local off-street parking minimums in the Zoning Ordinance must still be satisfied.