Accessory Structures in Scranton, PA (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Scranton, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Scranton is a Home Rule city in Lackawanna County (population approximately 76,000) operating under a Home Rule Charter adopted in 1976 pursuant to Pennsylvania Act 62 of 1972 (the PA Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law). The Scranton Zoning Ordinance is maintained as a separate document from the codified Scranton Code on eCode360 at https://ecode360.com/SC1148; the last comprehensive zoning amendment dates from approximately 2015. Pennsylvania has no statewide accessory dwelling unit preemption statute, so ADU permissibility, density, owner-occupancy requirements, and design standards in Scranton are determined entirely by the Scranton Zoning Ordinance under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (53 P.S. §10101 et seq.). Property owners must consult the Zoning Ordinance and the Scranton Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits (LIP) 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.
Scranton PA ADU Rules (Scranton Zoning Ordinance; PA MPC 53 P.S. §10101 et seq.; No State ADU Preemption)
Some RestrictionsADU Permits
An accessory dwelling unit in Scranton requires permits from two municipal offices: a zoning permit from the Scranton Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits (LIP) confirming the ADU is permitted in the district under the Scranton Zoning Ordinance, either by right or by special exception/variance through the Scranton Zoning Hearing Board, and a building permit from the Scranton 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 Scranton and the PA UCC.
Scranton PA ADU Permits (Scranton Dept. of Licensing, Inspections and Permits; 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. Scranton 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 Scranton generally face only standard zoning and building permit fees, water/sewer tap-in charges through Pennsylvania American Water and the Scranton Sewer Authority (now part of Pennsylvania American Water following the 2016 acquisition), and any school district enrollment-related charges if dwelling-unit count increases.
Scranton 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 Scranton are regulated through two layers: (1) the Scranton 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. Scranton property owners typically need a zoning permit from the Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits even when no building permit is required, especially on Scranton's older narrow lots in the Hill Section, West Scranton, and Green Ridge neighborhoods where rear-yard space is constrained.
Scranton PA Shed Rules (Scranton Zoning Ordinance; PA UCC Exemption for Sheds <1,000 sq ft, 34 Pa Code 403.1)
Some RestrictionsGarage Conversions
Converting a Scranton garage into habitable space (a bedroom, in-law suite, home office, or ADU) requires both (1) zoning approval under the Scranton 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 Scranton's local off-street parking minimums in the Zoning Ordinance must still be satisfied.