Article IV - Residential Districts
Section 400 – Intent
It is the intent of this Article to provide for the establishment of residence districts which will provide safe and healthful locations for homes of the citizens of Upper Darby Township. To this end, these regulations: (1) establish standards by which a wide variety of housing types can be provided in appropriate locations to meet the housing needs of all residents; (2) protect land values by prohibiting incompatible development; (3) prevent overcrowding of the land and congestion; (4) provide sufficient space for the needs of residents and assure light, air and privacy; (5) regulate the density of development.
Section 401 – Single Family Detached Residential District Development Standards
The following lot, area, and bulk standards shall be required for every building or structure hereinafter erected, altered or used in the R-C, R-C-1, R-1, and R-2 Zoning Districts:
Table 4-1: Single Family Detached Residential District Development Standards
| District | R-C | R-C-1 | R-1 | R-2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum lot size | 15,000 sq. ft. with public sewer service; 20,000 sq. ft. without public sewer service | 10,000 sq. ft. with public sewer service; 20,000 sq. ft. without public sewer service | 6,500 square feet | 5,000 square feet |
| Minimum street frontage | 50 feet | 50 feet | 35 feet | 30 feet |
| Minimum lot width at building line | 70 feet | 80 feet | 65 feet | 50 feet |
| Minimum front yard | *35 feet | *35 feet | * 25 feet | *20 feet |
| Minimum side yard | 35 feet aggregate; 15 feet min. | 35 feet aggregate; 15 feet min. | 25 feet aggregate; 10 feet min. | 22 feet aggregate; 10 feet min. |
| Minimum rear yard | 30 feet | 30 feet | 20 feet | 20 feet |
| Maximum building height | 35 feet | 35 feet | 35 feet | 35 feet |
| Maximum building coverage | 25% for 15,000 sq. ft. lot; 20% for 20,000 sq. ft. lot | 20% | 30% | 30% |
| *When as a result of the construction of a building, the building line is established at a distance greater than that of the minimum required front yard in the district, the minimum required front yard shall thereafter be the distance from the front property line to the building line; however, an existing covered porch, patio, or deck which was legally existing prior to this code's adoption and is in compliance with the minimum front yard setback for new construction is permitted to be enclosed. Covered porches, patios or decks include those constructed with hard surface materials and do not include awnings. | ||||
Section 402 – R-C Residential Conservation District
402-A. Intent
R-C Residential Conservation Districts provide for the special needs of environmentally sensitive areas of the Township; encourage the conservation of areas where limitations exist for development by reason of slope, unfavorable soil conditions or topography; and facilitate the control of soil erosion, surface water and flooding.
402-B. Permitted Uses
A list of permitted uses is provided in Article III, Section 301, Table 3-1.
402-C. Special Exception Uses
- A list of Special Exception uses is provided in Article III, Section 301, Table 3-1.
- Special Exception uses must meet the general criteria for review specified in Article XII, Section 1200-J of this Ordinance.
- Special Exception uses in residential districts must meet the standards located in Section 408 of this Article.
402-D. Parking
The parking requirements in Article VIII of this Ordinance shall apply.
402-E. General Regulations
The general regulations in Article X of this Ordinance shall apply.
Section 403 – R-C-1 Special Residential Conservation District
403-A. Intent
R-C-1 Special Residential Conservation Districts provide for the special needs of environmentally sensitive areas of the township; encourage the conservation of areas where limitations exist for the development by reason of slope, unfavorable soil conditions or topography; and facilitate the control of soil erosion, surface water flooding.
403-B. Permitted Uses
A list of permitted uses is provided in Article III, Section 301, Table 3-1.
403-C. Special Exception Uses
- A list of Special Exception uses is provided in Article III, Section 301, Table 3-1.
- Special Exception uses must meet the general criteria for review specified in Article XII, Section 1200-J of this Ordinance.
- Special Exception uses in residential districts must meet the standards located in Section 408 of this Article.
403-D. Parking
The parking requirements in Article VIII of this Ordinance shall apply.
403-E. General Regulations
The general regulations in Article X of this Ordinance shall apply.
Section 404 – R-1 Residential District
404-A. Intent
The R-1 Residential District is intended to maintain the low intensity character of the neighborhoods with single-family detached dwellings on larger lots with generous setbacks.
404-B. Permitted Uses
A list of permitted uses is provided in Article III, Section 301, Table 3-1.
404-C. Special Exception Uses
- A list of Special Exception uses is provided in Article III, Section 301, Table 3-1.
- Special Exception uses must meet the general criteria for review specified in Article XII, Section 1200-J of this Ordinance.
- Special Exception uses in residential districts must meet the standards located in Section 408 of this Article.
404-D. Parking
The parking requirements in Article VIII of this Ordinance shall apply.
404-E. General Regulations
The general regulations in Article X of this Ordinance shall apply.
Section 405 – R-2 Residential District
405-A. Intent
The R-2 Residential District is intended to maintain the medium intensity character of the neighborhoods with single-family detached dwellings on smaller lots and with moderate setbacks.
405-B. Permitted Uses
A list of permitted uses is provided in Article III, Section 301, Table 3-1.
405-C. Special Exception Uses
- A list of Special Exception uses is provided in Article III, Section 301, Table 3-1.
- Special Exception uses must meet the general criteria for review specified in Article XII, Section 1200-J of this Ordinance.
- Special Exception uses in residential districts must meet the standards located in Section 408 of this Article.
405-D. Parking
The parking requirements in Article VIII of this Ordinance shall apply.
405-E. General Regulations
The general regulations in Article X of this Ordinance shall apply.
Section 406 – R-3 Residential District
406-A. Intent
The R-3 District is intended to maintain the medium intensity character of the neighborhoods with single-family and two-family detached dwellings and singlefamily and two-family attached dwellings, providing transitional neighborhoods between the single family and multi-family neighborhoods.
406-B. Permitted Uses
A list of permitted uses is provided in Article III, Section 301, Table 3-1.
406-C. Special Exception Uses
- A list of Special Exception uses is provided in Article III, Section 301, Table 3-1.
- Special Exception uses must meet the general criteria for review specified in Article XII, Section 1200-J of this Ordinance.
- Special Exception uses in residential districts must meet the standards located in Section 408 of this Article.
406-D. Development Standards
The following lot, area, and bulk standards shall be required for every building or structure hereinafter erected, altered or used:
Table 4-2: R-3 District Development Standards
| Single Family Detached Dwelling | |||
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 square feet | ||
| Minimum street frontage | 30 feet | ||
| Minimum lot width at building line | 50 feet | ||
| Minimum front yard | *20 feet | ||
| Minimum side yard | 22 feet aggregate; 10 feet min. | ||
| Minimum rear yard | 20 feet | ||
| Maximum building height | 35 feet | ||
| Maximum building coverage | 30% | ||
| Single Family Semi-Detached Dwelling | |||
| Minimum lot size | 3,000 square feet | ||
| Minimum street frontage | 20 feet | ||
| Minimum lot width at building line | 30 feet, 35 feet with side yard driveway | ||
| Minimum front yard | *20 feet | ||
| Minimum side yard | 10 feet | ||
| Minimum rear yard | 20 feet | ||
| Maximum building height | 35 feet | ||
| Maximum building coverage | 40% | ||
| Single Family Attached Dwelling | |||
| Minimum lot size | 3,000 square feet | ||
| Minimum street frontage | 16 feet | ||
| Minimum lot width at building lin | 16 feet | ||
| Minimum front yard | **20 feet | ||
| Minimum side yard | 10 feet | ||
| Minimum rear yard | **20 feet | ||
| Maximum building height | 35 feet | ||
| Maximum building coverage | 40% | ||
| Maximum number of attached units | 6 | ||
| Two Family Detached Dwelling | |||
| Minimum lot size | 3,000 square feet per unit; 6,000 square feet per 2-family dwelling | ||
| Minimum street frontage | 20 feet | ||
| Minimum lot width at building line | 60 feet | ||
| Minimum front yard | *20 feet | ||
| Minimum side yard | 25 feet aggregate; 10 feet min. | ||
| Minimum rear yard | 20 feet | ||
| Maximum building height | 35 feet | ||
| Maximum building coverage | 30% | ||
| Two Family Semi-Detached Dwelling | |||
| Minimum lot size | 3,000 square feet per unit; 6,000 square feet per 2-family dwelling | ||
| Minimum street frontage | 20 feet | ||
| Minimum lot width at building line | 30 feet, 35 feet with side yard driveway | ||
| Minimum front yard | *20 feet | ||
| Minimum side yard | 10 feet | ||
| Minimum rear yard | 20 feet | ||
| Maximum building height | 35 feet | ||
| Maximum building coverage | 40% | ||
| Two Family Attached Dwelling | |||
| Minimum lot size | 3,000 square feet per unit; 6,000 square feet per 2-family dwelling | ||
| Minimum street frontage | 20 feet | ||
| Minimum lot width at building line | 20 feet | ||
| Minimum front yard | **20 feet | ||
| Minimum side yard | 10 feet | ||
| Minimum rear yard | **20 feet | ||
| Maximum building height | 35 feet | ||
| Maximum building coverage | 30% | ||
| Maximum number of attached units | 6 | ||
| * When as a result of the construction of a building, the building line is established at a distance greater than that of the minimum required front yard in the district, the minimum required front yard shall thereafter be the distance from the front property line to the building line; however, an existing porch, patio, or deck which was legally existing prior to this code's adoption and is in compliance with the minimum front yard setback for new construction is permitted to be enclosed. Covered porches, patios or decks include those constructed with hard surface materials and do not include awnings. | |||
| ** When as a result of the construction of a building, the building line is established at a distance greater than that of the minimum required front and/or rear yard in the district, the minimum required front and/or rear yard shall thereafter be the distance from the front and/or rear property line to the building line. | |||
406-E. Parking
The parking requirements in Article VIII of this Ordinance shall apply.
406-F. General Regulations
The general regulations in Article X of this Ordinance shall apply.
Section 407 – R-4 Residential District
407-A. Intent
The R-4 District is intended to allow for diversity in housing types and densities, including multi-family dwellings and senior housing, while preserving the overall character of the Township and surrounding residential neighborhoods and to permit a limited mix of commercial and residential uses for convenience and accessibility.
407-B. Permitted Uses
A list of permitted uses is provided in Article III, Section 301, Table 3-1.
407-C. Special Exception Uses
- A list of Special Exception uses is provided in Article III, Section 301, Table 3-1.
- Special Exception uses must meet the general criteria for review specified in Article XII, Section 1200-J of this Ordinance.
- Special Exception uses in residential districts must meet the standards located in Section 408 of this Article.
- Special Exception standards for mobile home parks
- Internal roadways must be at least 24 feet wide.
- Access to individual lots must be from internal roads.
- There will be a 4 foot wide planted buffer strip around the perimeter of the site.
- Accessory uses normally associated with a mobile home park are permitted provided they are for the use of the mobile home park residents only. These accessory uses include administration or office space, laundry and recreation facilities.
Table 4-3A: Development Standards for Mobile Home Parks
| Minimum lot size | 1 acre |
| Minimum lot area per dwelling | 3,000 square feet gross; 2,000 square feet net |
| Requirements for individual lots: | |
| Minimum lot width | 24 feet |
| Front yard | * 28 feet |
| Side yard | 16 feet aggregate:; 6 feet min. |
| Rear yard | 20 feet |
| Street frontage | 24 feet |
| Maximum building height | 12 feet |
| Maximum building coverage | 20% |
* When as a result of the construction of a building, the building line is established at a distance greater than that for the minimum required front yard in the district, the minimum required front yard shall thereafter be the distance from the front property line to the building line. However, any existing porch or patio attached to the structure in the front yard, and which must be demolished and replaced because of damage, may be rebuilt to the same depth as the existing porch or patio.
407-D. Development Standards
The following lot, area, and bulk standards shall be required for every building or structure hereinafter erected, altered or used:
Table 4-3B: R-4 District Development Standards
| Single- Family and Two-Family Dwellings( including Independent Living Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Congregate Care Facilities in single-family and two-family structures) | |||
| All single-family and two-family detached, semi-detached, and attached dwellings must meet the development standards for the R-3 District as specified in Table 4-2 of this Article. | |||
| Multi-Family Dwellings (including Senior Independent Living Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Congregate Care Facilities in multi-family structures and Nursing/Convalescent Homes) | |||
| Minimum street frontage | 50 feet | ||
| Minimum lot width at building line | 100 feet | ||
| Minimum front yard | *40 feet | ||
| Minimum side yard | 25 feet aggregate, 10 feet min. | ||
| Minimum setback between buildings | 25 feet between buildings, plus 1 foot additional for each 2 feet over 35 feet of building height | ||
| Minimum rear yard | *Same as side yard requirement | ||
| Maximum building height | 65 feet | ||
| Maximum building coverage | 40% | ||
| * When as a result of the construction of a building, the building line is established at a distance greater than that of the minimum required front and/or rear yard in the district, the minimum required front and/or rear yard shall thereafter be the distance from the front and/or rear property line to the building line. | |||
* When as a result of the construction of a building, the building line is established at a distance greater than that of the minimum required front and/or rear yard in the district, the minimum required front and/or rear yard shall thereafter be the distance from the front and/or rear property line to the building line.
407-E. Parking
- The parking requirements in Article VIII of this Ordinance shall apply.
- The parking requirements for any permitted first floor commercial use shall be apply in addition to the residential parking requirements.
407-F. General Regulations
The general regulations in Article X of this Ordinance shall apply.
Section 408 – Special Exception Use Standards in Residential Districts
408-A. Special Exception Use Development Standards
Special Exception uses must meet the development standards for the zoning district within which they are located, except as required for cemeteries in Section 408-C below.
408-B. Accessory Dwellings
- The accessory dwelling unit shall be physically connected to the principal dwelling unit or shall be a converted existing detached building which maintains the same footprint.
- The occupancy of the accessory dwelling unit shall be limited to persons who are related by blood, adoption or marriage to the occupants of the principal dwelling unit.
- The accessory dwelling unit may be located in a single-family detached dwelling or a single-family semi-detached dwelling only.
- The accessory dwelling unit shall share the same sewage disposal and water supply systems as the principal dwelling unit.
- The accessory dwelling unit shall be occupied by a maximum of two (2) people.
- The accessory dwelling unit shall comply with the minimum space and habitable living area requirements of any applicable housing or building codes.
- If the accessory dwelling unit is located in a detached building, the accessory dwelling unit must utilize the existing driveway for the principal dwelling on the property, and no new driveways shall be created or installed.
408-C. Cemeteries
1. The following lot and area standards shall be required for every building or structure in a cemetery, not including tombstones, hereinafter erected, altered or used:
| Minimum lot area: | 10 acres |
| Minimum street frontage: | 50 feet |
| Minimum lot width at building line: | 500 feet |
| Minimum front yard: | 20 feet |
| Minimum side yard: | 20 feet |
| Minimum rear yard: | 20 feet |
408-D. Group Living Quarters
Groups Living Quarters shall meet the standards and requirements of Article X, Section 1005 of this Ordinance.
408-E. Wireless Communications Towers and Antennas
The standards for wireless communications towers and antenna(e) are located in Article X, Section 1000.
408-F. Religious Assembly
- The minimum lot size shall be one (1) acre.
- The property shall have primary access to a collector or arterial street as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Roadway Functional Classification. Primary vehicular access to the property shall not be provided by way of a residential local street as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Roadway Functional Classification.
- A minimum fifteen (15) foot planted buffer strip is required along all property lines.
Section 409 - Accessory Uses in Residential Districts
409-A.
For the purpose of this Ordinance, all swimming pools and tennis courts are considered accessory structures in residential districts.
409-B.
Accessory recreational uses may not be located in the required front yard or within five (5) feet of any property line, provided that on any lot which is less than forty (40) feet in width, the Zoning Hearing Board may by Special Exception reduce this rear and side yard requirement to not less than two (2) feet if fencing and landscaping is provided to protect adjoining properties.
409-C.
Storage of flammable liquids shall be limited to a maximum of ten (10) liquid gallons and said liquids must be stored in accordance with the International Fire Code. Storage of combustible liquids shall be limited to thirty (30) liquid gallons, and said liquids must be stored in accordance with the International Fire Code. This Section shall not apply to any above or underground storage tanks for home heating oil.