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

Borough of Bedford’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction inside Bedford borough limits.

  • The code incorporates the UCC as amended from time to time.

  “The Uniform Construction Code [...] is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the Municipal Building Code.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Bedford borough limits.

  • The published zoning chapter lists S Slope, R-1, R-2, R-2T, R-3, R-4, RLC, C-1, C-2, CMR, and FP Flood-Prone districts.

  “Zoning Districts [...] S Slope District [...] R-1 Residential District - Single-Family [...] FP Flood-Prone District”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Construction or development within an area of Bedford borough subject to flooding.

  • The rule applies only within borough areas subject to flooding.
  • The cited ordinance was passed April 2, 2012.

  “Permits shall be required before any construction or development is undertaken within any area of the borough that is subject to flooding.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building permits and related UCC administration/enforcement services inside Bedford borough limits.

  • Fees follow the schedule established by Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance, Inc. from time to time and provided to the borough.

  “fees charged for building permits [...] schedule of fees established by Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance, Inc.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning-permit applications for construction or changes of use inside Bedford borough limits.

  • Applications must include duplicate, scaled plans and listed site/use information.
  • The permit may not issue until certified compliant with Chapter 154 and the Floodplain Building Code.
  • Work must be completed within one year of issuance.

  authorized-work completion period: 1 year (Measured from issuance of the zoning permit.)

  “All applications for zoning permits shall be accompanied by plans in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the actual shape and dimensions of the lot to be built upon, the exact size and location of any buildings existing on the lot, the lines within which the proposed building or structure shall be erected or altered, the existing and intended use of each building or part of a building, the number of families or dwelling units the building is designed to accommodate, and such information as may be necessary to determine compliance with this chapter and all other pertinent ordinances.”

Rules another office applies inside Borough of Bedford

Borough of Bedford 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

  One dwelling unit in the R-1 Residential District inside Bedford borough limits.

  • The R-1 lot-width standards also apply.

  minimum lot area per dwelling unit: >= 9000 square feet

  “Area regulations. The lot area per dwelling unit shall be not less than 9,000 square feet.”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  Lots in the R-1 Residential District inside Bedford borough limits.

  maximum coverage: <= 30 percent

  “Coverage regulations. The coverage shall be no more than 30%.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Buildings in the R-1 Residential District inside Bedford borough limits.

  • Dwelling height must also be at least one story.

  maximum building height: <= 35 feet

  “The height of a building shall be not greater than 35 feet. (2) The height of a dwelling shall be not less than one story.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction inside Bedford borough limits.
• Inspections — Building work inside Bedford borough limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Bedford borough limits.
• Living in an RV — Residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land inside Bedford borough limits.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Bedford borough limits.

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.

Off-grid gear

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

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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