Bolthole Index

Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Swarthmore Borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania has its own zoning code, and building work inside the borough falls under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as adopted by the borough12. The Borough of Swarthmore handles zoning and building permits at borough hall, not Delaware County34. On-lot septic permits and private-well permits in Delaware County come from the county health department56.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; the borough runs its own permit process under the Pennsylvania UCC27
Zoning
Yes, the borough zoning code and a separate subdivision and land development code18
Accessory structures
Permit required over 200 square feet, or under 200 with electricity, HVAC or plumbing9
RA lot size
20,000 sq ft minimum lot, 100 ft minimum width10
RA setbacks
30 ft front, 15 ft side, 35 ft rear for the principal building11
Septic and wells
Delaware County Health Department issues on-lot sewage and well permits for the county; borough sewer status not confirmed56
Owner-builder
Pennsylvania has no statewide license for most construction contractors12
Property tax (county)
Delaware County's effective rate is 2%, with a median bill of $6,001 a year1314

Who to call

Building permits

Swarthmore Borough Hall (building permits and zoning)

Building permit applications, zoning questions and the borough's forms and fee schedule

610-543-4599

121 Park Avenue Swarthmore, PA 19081

Septic permits

Delaware County Health Department, Environmental Health

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

(484) 276-2100

environmental@co.delaware.pa.us

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 Borough of Swarthmore means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Swarthmore, PA have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes, lot size and setbacks?

Yes. The Borough of Swarthmore zones its own land: "Land use in Swarthmore is governed by the Zoning Code and Subdivision and Land Development Code"1. Delaware County does not administer municipal zoning, so zoning questions inside the borough go to borough hall1516.

The borough's code publishes RA Residential, RB Residential, RC Residential, AR Apartment Residential, AL Alternate Residential and Town Center districts, among others17. Dimensions depend on the district. In the RA Residential District, the minimum lot area is 20,000 square feet and the minimum lot width is 100 feet10. A principal building in RA needs a 30-foot building setback, 15-foot side yards and a 35-foot rear yard, and may be 35 feet tall at most1118. Combined lot and hardscape coverage in RA is capped at 40%19.

We could not confirm how the borough treats RV living, tiny homes, manufactured homes or accessory dwelling units. Ask the Zoning Officer at borough hall before buying3.

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

Yes. Swarthmore Borough adopted the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as its municipal building code2. Pennsylvania requires an owner to apply to the building code official and obtain a permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving or demolishing a residential building20.

For sheds and similar structures, the borough's rule is specific. An accessory structure to a one-family, semi-detached or multifamily dwelling needs a building permit when it is larger than 200 square feet, whether or not it has electricity, HVAC or plumbing, and also when it is under 200 square feet but includes electricity, HVAC or plumbing9.

The borough's permit form covers new buildings, additions and alterations, fences, sheds, roofing, driveways and demolition3. Delaware County does not issue building permits; its planning department sends callers to the municipality's code enforcement officials4. The borough's code refers to permit fees and charges, but we could not confirm the amounts, so request the current fee schedule from borough hall7.

How do septic permits and wells work inside Swarthmore?

Septic and wells do not move to the borough's building office. Across Delaware County, the Delaware County Health Department handles inspections, permit issuance and enforcement for on-lot sewage systems under Pennsylvania Act 537521. The county also issues permits for private wells6.

We could not confirm whether a particular Swarthmore address is on public sewer or water, or whether a borough rule applies to on-lot systems or wells inside the borough. Ask the borough and the county health department's Environmental Health office which applies to the address in question. Where a new or repaired on-lot system is involved, Delaware County requires a permit for new systems, repairs and modifications unless the repair can be done without digging equipment22.

Delaware County soils matter too: only 3.6% of the county's soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system if sewer is not available23.

Building a home in Swarthmore: the steps, in order

  1. Call borough hall and the Zoning Officer to confirm the zoning district and its lot, setback, height and coverage limits for the parcel173.
  2. Confirm whether the parcel is on public sewer and water, and if not, contact the Delaware County Health Department about on-lot sewage and well permits215.
  3. If you are dividing a lot or building a development, plans are reviewed by the Borough Planning Commission and the County Planning Commission and approved by Borough Council8.
  4. Submit the borough's building permit application with plans and applicable fees before work starts720.
  5. Have each stage inspected: Pennsylvania requires inspection of foundations, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, frame and masonry, and wallboard24.
  6. Obtain a certificate of occupancy before anyone lives in the building25.
  7. If a driveway will connect to a state highway, a PennDOT highway occupancy permit is also required26.

What stays with Delaware County (and what to check before you buy in Swarthmore)?

Subdivision and land-development plans in the borough also go to the Delaware County Planning Commission for review8. The county's planning department does not issue building permits, zoning approvals or septic permits4. For land outside the borough, see the Delaware County page.

County-level numbers give context, not borough rules. Delaware County's typical home value is $373,575 and its effective property tax rate is 2%, with a median bill of $6,001 a year271314. The county's population density is 3,137.5 people per square mile, so Swarthmore is suburban, not rural28.

Before buying, confirm the parcel's zoning district, ask whether the lot is on public sewer, and ask borough hall about flood-plain construction: where a project is in a flood plain, Pennsylvania requires sealed documentation from a registered design professional29.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm a borough rule on RV occupancy, tiny homes, accessory dwelling units or short-term rentals, so ask the Zoning Officer at borough hall before you plan one1.
  • The borough's permit section refers to permit fees and charges, but we could not confirm the amounts, so request the current fee schedule from borough hall7.
  • Rules in the RA Residential District do not apply to other districts, so confirm the parcel's district before using any lot-size or setback figure1011.
  • Pennsylvania requires a certificate of occupancy before a residential building is used or occupied25.

Sources

  1. TITLE FOUR - Zoning (Borough of Swarthmore), quoted and re-checked
  2. CHAPTER 1431 Pennsylvania Construction Code (Borough of Swarthmore), quoted and re-checked
  3. Swarthmore Borough Hall (building permits and zoning) (swarthmorepa.org)
  4. Delaware County Planning Department - Development Review (2026 county census)
  5. Sewage and Water, quoted and re-checked
  6. Sewage and Water, quoted and re-checked
  7. 1431.11 BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRED. (Borough of Swarthmore), quoted and re-checked
  8. PART TWELVE - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE (Borough of Swarthmore), quoted and re-checked
  9. 1431.11 BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRED. (Borough of Swarthmore), quoted and re-checked
  10. 1246.03 AREA AND BULK REGULATIONS. (Borough of Swarthmore), quoted and re-checked
  11. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Borough of Swarthmore), quoted and re-checked
  12. Contractor Licensing (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  14. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  15. Delaware County Planning Department - Development Review (2026 county census)
  16. Find Parcel/Site Information | Delaware County, Pennsylvania, quoted and re-checked
  17. TITLE FOUR - Zoning (Borough of Swarthmore), quoted and re-checked
  18. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Borough of Swarthmore), quoted and re-checked
  19. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Borough of Swarthmore), quoted and re-checked
  20. Part XIV, Uniform Construction Code, Chapter 403 Administration (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Delaware County Health Department, Environmental Health (delcopa.gov)
  22. Permits for On-Lot Sewage Disposal Systems, quoted and re-checked
  23. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Part XIV, Uniform Construction Code, Chapter 403 Administration (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Part XIV, Uniform Construction Code, Chapter 403 Administration (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Apply for a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  28. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, 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 Borough of Swarthmore

Borough of Swarthmore’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Accessory structures for multifamily, one-family, and semi-detached dwellings inside Swarthmore borough, and other activity requiring a permit under the Borough Building Code.

    • A permit application and permit must be obtained under Borough practice and procedures.
    • Structures over 200 square feet require a permit whether or not they include electricity, HVAC, or plumbing.
    • Structures under 200 square feet require a permit when they include electricity, HVAC, or plumbing.

    accessory-structure building area: > 200 square feet (Permit required whether or not electricity, HVAC, or plumbing is included.) · accessory-structure building area: < 200 square feet (Permit required when electricity, HVAC, or plumbing is included.)

    “The construction, erection or placement of any utility and miscellaneous use structures or other accessory structure(s), accessory to multifamily, one family and semi-detached dwellings, which propose a building area greater than 200 square feet whether or not such structures include electricity, HVAC or plumbing.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction regulated inside Swarthmore borough.

    • The Borough code identifies adoption and local administration/enforcement of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act and Building Code.
    “The Uniform Construction Code, contained in Title 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401-405, as it currently exists and may hereafter be amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the municipal building code for the Borough.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Swarthmore borough.

    • Zoning is administered under the Borough's zoning code.
    “Land use in Swarthmore is governed by the Zoning Code and Subdivision and Land Development Code.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Swarthmore borough.

    • The code index identifies residential, apartment residential, alternate residential, town-center, institutional, parks, and institutional-commercial districts.
    “Chap. 1246. RA Residential Districts. Chap. 1248. RB Residential Districts. Chap. 1250. RC Residential Districts. Chap. 1252. AR Apartment Residential Districts. Chap. 1254. AL Alternate Residential Districts. Chap. 1256. Town Center (TC) Zoning District.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development inside Swarthmore borough.

    • The Borough's Planning and Zoning Code includes a Title Six for subdivision and land development.
    “All preliminary and final subdivision or land development plans shall be reviewed by the Borough Planning Commission and the County Planning Commission and shall be approved or disapproved by the Borough Council in accordance with the procedure specified in this Subdivision and Land Development Code and other applicable Borough ordinances.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building-permit applications inside Swarthmore borough.

    • The opened provision supplies process details only for the specified permit requirement; other Borough permit procedures may apply.
    “a building permit shall be applied for and obtained, in accordance with the practice and procedures of the Borough for building permits (including without limitation, the submission of plans, explanatory material and payment of applicable permit fees and charges)”

Rules another office applies inside Borough of Swarthmore

Borough of Swarthmore 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

    RA Residential District inside Swarthmore borough.

    • Minimum lot area per dwelling unit is also 20,000 square feet.

    minimum lot area: 20000 square feet · minimum lot area per dwelling unit: 20000 square feet · minimum lot width: 100 feet

    “The minimum lot area shall be 20, 000 square feet. The minimum lot area per dwelling unit shall be 20, 000 square feet. The minimum lot width shall be 100 feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Principal buildings in the RA Residential District inside Swarthmore borough.

    • Garage placement and accessory-building setbacks have separate provisions.

    minimum building setback: 30 feet · minimum rear yard for principal building: 35 feet · minimum side yard for principal building: 15 feet

    “The minimum building setback shall be thirty feet. The maximum building height for the principal building shall be thirty-five feet. The minimum rear yard for the principal building shall be thirty-five feet. The minimum side yard for the principal building shall be fifteen feet.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    RA Residential District inside Swarthmore borough.

    • Combined lot and hardscape coverage is limited to 40%, but lot coverage may not exceed the district maximum.

    maximum lot coverage: 12 percent · maximum combined lot and hardscape coverage: 40 percent (Lot coverage may not exceed the maximum allowed for the zoning district.)

    “Maximum combined lot coverage and hardscape coverage shall be 40%, but in no case shall lot coverage exceed the maximum allowed for the zoning district.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Principal buildings in the RA Residential District inside Swarthmore borough.

    • Accessory buildings have separate height limits.

    maximum principal-building height: 35 feet

    “The maximum building height for the principal building shall be thirty-five feet.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction inside Swarthmore borough.
  • Inspections — Building work inside Swarthmore borough.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy inside Swarthmore borough.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Principal dwellings in the RA Residential District inside Swarthmore borough.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Swarthmore borough.
15 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Borough of Swarthmore publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Delaware County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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