Building Setbacks & Zoning in York County, PA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated York County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Building setbacks are set by your borough or township zoning ordinance under the PA Municipalities Planning Code, not by York County. In York Township's low-density residential districts, typical minimums are 20-25 feet front, 10-15 feet side, and 20-25 feet rear.
Building Setback Rules in York County, PA
Some Restrictions53 P.S. §10603(b)(3)
Zoning ordinances may permit, prohibit, regulate, restrict and determine... areas and dimensions of land and bodies of water to be occupied by uses and structures, as well as areas, courts, yards, and other open spaces and distances to be left unoccupied by uses and structures.
Structure Height Limits
Maximum building height is set by your borough or township zoning ordinance, not York County. In York Township, principal residential buildings are capped at 35 feet and accessory structures at 15 feet.
Structure Height Limits in York County, PA
Some RestrictionsYork Township Zoning Ordinance §265-401(E) et seq.
Principal Buildings - thirty-five (35) feet. The height may be increased by one (1) foot for each additional foot that all front, side and rear setbacks are increased, but may not be increased by more than ten (10) feet. Accessory Buildings/Structures - fifteen (15) feet.
Lot Coverage Limits
Maximum lot coverage is set by your borough or township, not York County. In York Township, coverage caps range from 30-40 percent of net lot area in low-density residential districts to as high as 85 percent in dense commercial districts.
Lot Coverage Limits in York County, PA
Some RestrictionsYork Township Zoning Ordinance §265-401(G)
Lot coverage for all uses shall not exceed forty (40) percent of Net Lot Area.
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