Bolthole Index

Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Chester, Pennsylvania

In the City of Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, the city itself sets and enforces zoning, and the city has adopted the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as its building code12. Each dwelling must connect to public water and public sewer, so a private septic system is not the normal path inside city limits3. Septic and well permits for the rare exception sit with the Delaware County Health Department45.

At a glance

Zoning
City zoning ordinance, with districts and an official zoning map16
Building code
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, adopted by the city2
Water and sewer
Public water and public sewer required for each dwelling3
Septic permits
Delaware County Health Department, for on-lot systems4
Floodplain
Floodplain Permit needed for work in the 100-year floodplain7
Permit fees
Set by resolution of the city's governing body8

Who to call

Planning & zoning

City of Chester Planning & Zoning Department

Zoning permits, zoning hearing board applications, and subdivision and land development for property inside Chester city limits

610-447-7707

1 Fourth Street, Chester, PA 19013

Planning & zoning

Delaware County Planning Department

Advisory subdivision review and sewage planning-module review for Delaware County; does not issue building permits, zoning approvals or septic permits

610-891-5200

[email protected]

2 W. Baltimore Avenue, Suite 202, Media, PA 19063

Septic permits

Delaware County Health Department, Environmental Health

Permits, inspections and enforcement for on-lot sewage systems, and permits for private wells

(484) 276-2100

[email protected]

1400 N Providence Road Suite 212, Media, PA 19063

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Chester means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Chester, PA have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and RVs?

Yes. The City of Chester divides itself into zoning districts, and every parcel and structure inside city limits is subject to the rules of its district1. The Zoning Officer in the city's Planning Department enforces the zoning ordinance9. Delaware County does not do this for you: zoning maps and district rules are kept by each municipality10.

District matters. In the R-1 Low Density Residential District, an allowed dwelling needs a minimum lot area of 4,500 square feet11. Manufactured-home parks in the C-2/R General Commercial/Residential District need an average of 8,000 square feet per dwelling unit12.

We could not confirm whether Chester allows living in an RV or a tiny home on a lot; ask the Planning & Zoning Department at 610-447-77079.

Do you need a building permit in Chester, PA, and who issues it?

Chester has adopted the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as its municipal building code2, and the state requires a permit for residential buildings and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing work13. Delaware County itself does not issue building permits; the county sends callers to the municipality's code enforcement officials14.

In Chester, most building permits also need zoning approval, including interior renovations, and all accessory structures such as sheds and garages need a zoning permit9. Fees are set by resolution of the city's governing body8. We could not confirm the city's building-permit counter or its owner-builder rules, so call city hall's Planning & Zoning Department first and ask who issues the building permit for your project.

How do septic permits work inside Chester, PA?

Inside Chester, each dwelling unit and principal building must be served by both public water and public sewer3. A new home on a city lot therefore connects to the sewer rather than installing a septic field, and we found no city rule for on-lot septic or private wells.

If an on-lot system or well ever comes up, the Delaware County Health Department handles on-lot sewage permits, inspections and enforcement under Pennsylvania Act 537154, and issues private well permits5. Ask them, and the Planning & Zoning Department, before you count on any parcel being allowed to use septic.

What is the process for building a home in Chester, PA?

  1. Confirm the zoning district and what it allows with the Zoning Officer; the city keeps an official zoning map at that office69.
  2. Check the lot against the district's dimensional rules, which include a public water and sewer connection3.
  3. If the lot is in the 100-year floodplain, obtain a Floodplain Permit from the Floodplain Administrator before starting7.
  4. Get the zoning permit, then the building permit under the Uniform Construction Code29.
  5. Schedule the required inspections and obtain a certificate of occupancy before anyone moves in1617.

Division of a lot is governed by the city's subdivision and land development ordinance18.

What stays with Delaware County, and what should you check before you buy in Chester?

Delaware County keeps health-department septic and well permits45; it does not issue building permits or zoning approvals14. For land outside the city, see the Delaware County page, because county-level answers do not describe Chester's lots.

Before you buy, check the floodplain map, because work in the 100-year floodplain needs a Floodplain Permit7. Delaware County's effective property tax rate is about 2%19, with a median bill near $6,001 a year20. A driveway onto a state highway needs a PennDOT permit21.

Watch-outs

  • Chester has no confirmed private-septic path: public water and sewer service is required for each dwelling inside city limits3.
  • We could not confirm the city's rules on RVs, tiny homes, accessory dwelling units or short-term rentals; ask the Planning & Zoning Department at 610-447-77079.
  • Zoning rules differ by district, so a lot-size or setback answer for one Chester district does not carry over to another11.

Sources

  1. Chapter 550, Article II: Establishment of Zoning Districts (Chester), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 174, Article II: Uniform Construction Code (Chester), quoted and re-checked
  3. Chapter 550, Article V: Dimensional Requirements in Each District (Chester), quoted and re-checked
  4. Sewage and Water, quoted and re-checked
  5. Sewage and Water, quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 550, Article II: Establishment of Zoning Districts (Chester), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 550, Article XIII: Floodplain Regulations (Chester), quoted and re-checked
  8. Chapter 174, Article II: Uniform Construction Code (Chester), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Chester Planning & Zoning Department (chestercity.com)
  10. delcopa.gov, quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 550, Article V: Dimensional Requirements in Each District (Chester), quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 550, Article V: Dimensional Requirements in Each District (Chester), quoted and re-checked
  13. Part XIV, Uniform Construction Code, Chapter 403 Administration (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Delaware County Planning Department (delcopa.gov)
  15. Delaware County Health Department, Environmental Health (delcopa.gov)
  16. Part XIV, Uniform Construction Code, Chapter 403 Administration (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Part XIV, Uniform Construction Code, Chapter 403 Administration (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Chapter 490: Subdivision and Land Development (Chester), quoted and re-checked
  19. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Apply for a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Chester

Chester’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building-code administration and enforcement inside Chester city limits.

    • The incorporated Uniform Construction Code is amended from time to time.
    • parameters for enforcement may be determined by municipal resolution.
    “The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 through 405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the municipal building code of this Municipality.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Construction work subject to Chester's floodplain regulations inside Chester city limits.

    • Applies during construction work regulated by the floodplain article.
    • Inspections are as necessary during and upon completion.
    “During the construction period, the Floodplain Administrator or other authorized official shall inspect the premises to determine that the work is progressing in compliance with the information provided on the permit application and with all applicable City ordinances. Such official shall make as many inspections during and upon completion of the work as are necessary.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land and structures inside Chester city limits.

    • Each parcel and structure is subject to regulations for its zoning district, except as otherwise provided by law or Chapter 550.
    “The City of Chester is hereby divided into Zoning Districts of different types to carry out the objectives of this chapter. Each parcel of land and every structure in the City, except as otherwise provided by law or by this chapter, shall be subject to the regulations specified for the district in which it is located.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts and zoning map for land inside Chester city limits.

    • The City Zoning Map is incorporated by reference into Chapter 550.
    • At least one paper copy of the Official Map must be maintained and available in the Zoning Officer's office.
    “The City of Chester Zoning Map shall consist of one or more map(s) accurately showing the boundaries of various zoning districts. The Zoning Map information may be maintained and updated using digital and/or paper versions. At least one paper copy of the Official Map shall be maintained and available in the office of the Zoning Officer.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured-home parks in the C-2/R General Commercial/Residential District inside Chester city limits.

    • Minimum average lot area is 8,000 square feet per dwelling unit.
    • Minimum lot width is 100 feet; maximum building height is three stories or 40 feet; front setback is 10 feet; rear and side setbacks are 20 feet; 14 feet separation is required between dwellings within the park; maximum building coverage is 50%; maximum impervious coverage is 70%.

    minimum average lot area: 8000 square feet per dwelling unit (Manufactured home park in C-2/R) · maximum building height: <= 40 feet (Three stories or 40 feet, manufactured home park in C-2/R)

    “C-2/R General Commercial/Residential District: a) Allowed uses, other than manufactured home park b) Manufactured home park | a) 2,000, with any residential uses meeting the density requirements of the R-3 District b) Minimum average of 8,000 per dwelling unit [Note C] | a) 30 b) 100 | a) 6 stories or 80 feet b) 3 stories or 40 feet | a) 0 b) 10 | a) 10 [Note A]b) 20 for development, with 14 feet separation between dwellings with the park | a) 10 [Note A]b) 20 for development, with 14 feet separation between dwellings within the park | a) 80%b) 50% | a) 90%b) 70%”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Dwelling units and principal buildings subject to Chester's zoning dimensional requirements.

    • Each dwelling unit and principal building must be served by public water and public sewer service.
    • A more restrictive requirement for a specific use may apply.
    “Each dwelling unit and each principal building shall be served by both public water and public sewer service.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Each dwelling unit and principal building subject to Chester's zoning dimensional requirements.

    • A more restrictive requirement for a specific use may apply under Article X or another Chapter 550 provision.
    “Each dwelling unit and each principal building shall be served by both public water and public sewer service.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development inside Chester city limits.

    • Chapter 490 includes procedures for major subdivisions and major land developments, minor subdivisions, minor land developments, and lot-line adjustments.
    “The Zoning Officer in the Planning Department administers and enforces the City of Chester Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction, development, or other activity in the 100-year floodplain, and new Critical Facilities in the 500-year floodplain, inside Chester city limits.

    • A Floodplain Permit is not required for minor repairs to existing buildings or structures that do not involve activities or impacts regulated by the article.
    • The Floodplain Administrator issues a permit only after determining the work conforms to Chapter 550 requirements; a City Construction Permit may also be needed.
    • Other necessary governmental environmental approvals must be obtained, or the permit must be conditioned on proof of compliance.
    “It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any construction or development or other activity regulated by this article within the City of Chester unless a Floodplain Permit has been obtained from the Floodplain Administrator if: That activity would be within the 100-year floodplain; and/or That activity would involve new Critical Facilities within the 500-year floodplain.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Municipal building-code administration and enforcement inside Chester city limits.

    • Fees are established by resolution of the governing body.
    “Fees assessable by the Municipality for the administration and enforcement undertaken pursuant to this article and the code shall be established by the governing body by resolution.”

Rules another office applies inside Chester

Chester does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Allowed dwellings in the R-1 Low Density Residential District inside Chester city limits.

    • The dimensional requirements apply unless a more restrictive requirement for a specific use is required by Article X or another Chapter 550 provision.

    minimum lot area: 4500 square feet (Allowed dwelling in R-1)

    “R-1 Low Density Residential District: a) Allowed dwelling b) Other allowed principal use | a) 4,500 b)10,000”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Chester or Delaware County directly.

  • Building permit — New residential construction inside Chester city limits.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Chester city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — R-1 Low Density Residential District inside Chester city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land inside Chester city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Chester city limits.
9 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Chester publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Delaware County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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