3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Lehigh County does not set building setbacks; municipalities do. Allentown's form-based code sets front build-to zones and side/rear setbacks by building type. Minor features like eaves and chimneys may encroach up to 1.5 feet into a yard, no closer than 1 foot to the lot line.
Allentown Zoning Ordinance § 660-131.H(3)(a)
Roof overhangs, eaves, chimneys, bays, and other architectural features, such as cornices, may encroach up to 1.5 feet into any yard no closer than 1 foot from the lot line.
The county sets no building height limit; municipalities do. Allentown's form-based code caps height in stories (and sometimes feet) by building type. House-scale types like the Suburban Rowhouse allow 2.5 stories, up to 3 for some units.
Allentown Zoning Ordinance § 660-131.M(3)
Maximum Height. Maximum heights are specified in number of stories and/or feet. This requirement applies to the entire building. The maximum number of stories and/or feet may not be exceeded due to sloped sites.
Lehigh County sets no lot-coverage cap; municipalities do. Allentown limits building coverage by building type, e.g. 60% for the Suburban Rowhouse, 70% for the Town Rowhouse, and up to 85% for the Lane Rowhouse.
Allentown Zoning Ordinance § 660-27 (Suburban Rowhouse)
Building Coverage 60% max.
2 cities in Lehigh County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Lehigh County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Lehigh County Ordinance Hub →