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 added accessory dwelling units to its zoning code by Ordinance No. 52-2024 (passed 9-18-2024), defining an ADU as a single dwelling unit secondary to the principal dwelling and recognizing interior, attached and detached types. The city's earlier zoning ordinance had no ADU category.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Erie
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Zoning Code, Definitions (Art. 6), as amended by Ordinance No. 52-2024 (passed 9-18-2024)
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU): A single dwelling unit with provisions for sleeping, cooking, and sanitation whose use is secondary to that of the principal dwelling or building on the same lot.
ADU 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
In Erie's 'R' districts a detached accessory building (shed) must sit in the side or rear yard, at least 6 ft from any dwelling or alley and 3 ft from side/rear lot lines, and may be no larger than 720 sq ft or 15 ft tall. Sheds 100 sq ft or smaller are exempt from setback and lot-coverage limits, and under PA state law a shed under 1,000 sq ft accessory to a one-family home needs no state building permit.
Shed and Detached Accessory Building Rules
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 80-2005), Sec. 205.18
205.18 In any "R" District detached accessory buildings shall be located in the side or rear yard of the principal building, at least six (6) feet from any dwelling or alley, at least three (3) feet from any side and/or rear property line. Detached accessory buildings shall be no larger than seven hundred and twenty (720) square feet in size or 15 feet in height. (See illustration No 1 - p. 1...
Garage Conversions
Erie defines a private garage as an accessory building used only to store the occupants' vehicles and personal effects, not for commercial use or outside auto repair. Converting a garage to living space changes its use and triggers zoning review and a building permit; a garage may also host an ADU under Ordinance No. 52-2024.
Garage Conversions and Private Garages
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 80-2005), Definitions - 'Garage, Private'
GARAGE, PRIVATE: An accessory building or part of a principal building used only for the storage of private motor vehicles and other personal affects of the occupants of the principal structure. Such a garage shall not be used for commercial purposes, unless specifically approved for such purposed, nor shall any repairs be made to motor vehicles within the garage other than to those vehicles ...