Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Borough of Whitehall, Pennsylvania

Borough of Whitehall’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Structural construction projects inside Whitehall borough

  • Borough page says the building permit application is required for structural construction projects (additions, decks, swimming pools, solar panels).
  • A separate zoning permit application is also listed.
  • Plain projects like sidewalks or patios use a different construction application.

  “application for building permit this application is required for structural construction projects. (additions, decks, swimming pools, solar panels etc.)”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Whitehall borough

  • Borough elects to administer and enforce the PA Construction Code Act (Act 45 of 1999).
  • Borough keeps some stricter local requirements, e.g. foundation system for structures over 100 sq ft or 10 ft high, and guards on walking surfaces over 15.5 inches.
  • Chapter restated 7-7-04 by Ord. No. 971; PDF dated 2012, current version not confirmed.

  “the uniform construction code contained in 35 pa. code, chapters 401-405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the municipal building code of the borough of whitehall.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Whitehall borough (Allegheny County, PA)

  • Zoning is Chapter 180 of the Whitehall Code, with districts in separate articles.

  “in this district, the land may be used and buildings and structures may he erected, altered or used for the following purposes and no other”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts of Whitehall borough

  • Each district is a separate article of Ch. 180, including Residence District R-1 (Art. IV) and Commercial District C3-S (Art. XXI); other residence and commercial districts exist.
  • No zoning map was opened.

  “land may be used and buildings and structures may be erected, altered or used for the following purposes and no other”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Residence District R-1, Whitehall borough, dwellings

  • Lots held in single and separate ownership at the effective date with smaller dimensions may build a dwelling as a special exception authorized by the board.
  • Front and side yard restrictions must still be met, or match 80% of the property in the same block.

  minimum lot area per family: >= 12000 square feet (special exception for older smaller lots) · minimum lot width: >= 80 feet

  “a lot with a minimum width of eighty (80) feet and a minimum area of twelve thousand (12,000) square feet per family shall be provided”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Residence District R-1, Whitehall borough, dwellings

  • Front yard may be reduced to 35 ft on new subdivisions before recording only as a special exception.
  • Nonresidential structures need side yards of at least 25 ft.
  • Corner and through lots treat street-abutting yards as front yards.

  front yard: >= 50 feet (35 ft by special exception on new subdivisions) · side yard, each (not corner lot): >= 7.5 feet (composite of both side yards at least 20 ft) · rear yard: >= 40 feet

  “there shall be a front yard having a depth of not less than fifty (50) feet at any point”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  Residence District R-1, Whitehall borough, area occupied by the dwelling

  • More may be allowed only as a special exception.

  maximum lot area occupied by dwelling: <= 35 percent (special exception)

  “no more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the area of any lot may be occupied by the dwelling unless authorized as a special exception to this chapter.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and land development inside Whitehall borough

  • Borough form is required for submission of a subdivision and/or land development plan.

  “application for subdivision and land development plan this application is required for submission of a subdivision and/or land development plan.”

• Driveway accessLimited

  Driveway expansion inside Whitehall borough

  • Page speaks to adding onto an existing driveway, not new driveway access.
  • A retaining wall 4 ft or higher needs the BIU application instead.

  “application for driveway expansion this permit is required for a property owner adding onto an existing driveway. please note: if your project includes a retaining wall 4' (four feet) or higher, please use the biu application.”

• Permit processPartial

  Permit applications inside Whitehall borough

  • Borough page lists application forms for zoning, building, accessory structure, fence, driveway expansion, grading, stormwater and subdivision.
  • Step-by-step process and timelines were not read.

  “application for zoning permit this application is required to ensure compliance with applicable regulations in the borough zoning code.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Borough of Whitehall or Allegheny County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built work inside Whitehall borough
• Inspections — Inspections of construction inside Whitehall borough
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Whitehall borough
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings in the R-1 district, Whitehall borough
• Building height — Dwellings in the R-1 district, Whitehall borough

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.