Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Nippenose Township, Pennsylvania

Nippenose Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Nippenose township, Lycoming County, PA: the township administers its own zoning ordinance (Nippenose Township Zoning Ordinance).

  • Article 1 section 1.12 names the ordinance as the Nippenose township zoning ordinance of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
  • The adoption date of the posted version is not stated in the articles opened, so effective_at is left null.
  • The township ordinances page lists the 2025 updated ordinance book and the zoning articles as the township's ordinances.

  “1.2 short title this ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the nippenose township zoning ordinance.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts of Nippenose township.

  • Districts listed in article 3: conservation/open space (c/os), agriculture (a), residential (r), village (v). Article 2 holds the district establishment and zoning map (not opened).

  “lot requirements are set forth on the tables that follow (see section 3.5 – 3.8) for the applicable zoning districts of nippenose township.”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Agriculture district (A), Table b under section 3.6, Nippenose township.

  • Minimum lot area for an agricultural operation is 20 acres (per the same table text).
  • A larger minimum lot may be required based on DEP requirements.

  minimum lot area per principal structure or use: 2 acre (agricultural operation requires 20 acres)

  “minimum lot area: 2 acres per principal structure or use front: 50 feet from road centerline or 25 ft from right-of-way line, whichever is greater”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Residential district (R), Nippenose township, principal structures unless noted.

  • Front setback is measured from road centerline or right-of-way, whichever is greater.
  • Rear: 40 feet for principal structure; 15 feet from any accessory structure.

  front setback: 75 feet (from road centerline or 50 feet from right-of-way, whichever is greater) · side setback total: 25 feet (no less than 10 ft each side) · rear setback principal: 40 feet · rear setback from accessory structure: 15 feet

  “front: 75 feet from road centerline or 50 feet from right-of-way, whichever is greater side: 25 feet total; no less than 10 ft each side rear: 40 feet for principal structure 15 feet from any accessory structure”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — Agriculture district (A), Table b under section 3.6, Nippenose township.

    “side & rear primary structure: 25 ft. a larger minimum lot may be required based on dep requirements side & rear accessory structure: 10 ft.”

• Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Agriculture district (A), Nippenose township.

  • Figures are maximums for the agriculture district as laid out in table b.

  maximum building coverage: <= 10 percent · maximum impervious coverage: <= 20 percent

  “accessory structures height: 1 1/2 stories maximum building coverage: 10% impervious coverage: 20%”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — Residential district (R), Nippenose township.

    “maximum building coverage: 20% maximum impervious coverage: 40%”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Residential district (R), Nippenose township.

  • Principal structure height limit is subject to section 5.6 exceptions of the township ordinance (not opened).

  principal structure height: <= 35 feet (see section 5.6 for exceptions) · accessory structure height: <= 15 feet

  “principal structures: height: 35 feet (see §5.6 for exceptions) accessory structures height: 15 feet maximum building coverage: 20% maximum impervious coverage: 40%”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — Agriculture district (A), Nippenose township.

    “principal structures: height: 35 feet (see §5.6 for exceptions) minimum lot width: 150 ft. side & rear primary structure: 25 ft.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles placed on lots in the 100-year floodplain in Nippenose township. Outside the floodplain, no RV occupancy rule was located.

  • Zoning permit required for an RV on a lot for more than six months in a year or permanently; seasonal permit for less than six months, renewed annually.
  • RVs on a lot more than six months or permanently must be on a foundation per the applicable building code and may be below the single-family minimum floor area so long as no year-round or full-time occupancy occurs.
  • RVs placed temporarily must sit on a level, durable pad or stand.

  “5.2.7.1.1 – a zoning permit shall be required where a recreational vehicle is proposed to be placed on a lot for more than six (6) months in any given year or on a permanent basis. 5.2.7.1.2 – a seasonal permit shall be required where a recreational vehicle is proposed to be placed on a lot for less than six (6) months in any given year. seasonal permits shall be renewed annually.”

• Permit processPartial

  Zoning permits in Nippenose township.

  • Zoning permit required before erecting, adding to or altering any building or structure, before a use or change in use, and before a nonconforming use change or extension.
  • Section 3.3 exempts repair, reconstruction or restoration that does not enlarge exterior dimensions.
  • Fees, application forms and steps are not established from the articles opened.

  “3.2 zoning permits a zoning permit shall be required prior to the erection, addition or alteration of any building or structure or portion thereof;”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Nippenose Township or Lycoming County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from permits in Nippenose township.
• Building code adopted — Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code in Nippenose township.
• Inspections — Building inspections in Nippenose township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in Nippenose township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Nippenose township.

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.