Bolthole Index

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

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

Limerick Township, Pennsylvania (Montgomery County) adopted the state Uniform Construction Code as its own building code, so building permits come from the township's Code Services department12. The township also writes and administers its own zoning ordinance through Planning & Zoning3. Septic permits for on-lot systems are a Montgomery County Office of Public Health job, not a township one4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; issued by the township's Code Services department12
Zoning
Township zoning ordinance, run by Planning & Zoning3
Septic permit
Required; Montgomery County Office of Public Health45
Well permit
Required for drinking-water, irrigation and geothermal wells (county)6
R-2 minimum lot
60,000 sq ft for traditional development on public water or sewer7
Subdivision
Regulated under the township's Chapter 1558
Owner-builder
No state contractor license needed for work on your own primary residence; township rules unconfirmed9
RV living
Barred in the township's mobile home parks; elsewhere unconfirmed10

Who to call

Building permits

Limerick Township Code Services

Construction and zoning permit applications, building code compliance and inspections inside Limerick Township

(610) 495-6432

codes@limerickpa.org

Planning & zoning

Limerick Township Planning & Zoning

Zoning ordinance administration, zoning use permits, drainage permits, subdivision and land development, zoning hearing board applications

610-495-6432

planning@limerickpa.org

Septic permits

Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH)

On-lot sewage permits and inspections and individual-water-supply well permits for Montgomery County, including townships with their own building offices

610-278-5117

publichealth@montgomerycountypa.gov

1430 DeKalb Street, PO Box 311, Norristown, PA, 19404-0311

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 Limerick Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Limerick Township, PA?

Yes. Limerick Township adopted the Uniform Construction Code as the township's own building code, so construction work needs a building permit from the township1. Pennsylvania's code reaches residential buildings and their electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing systems11.

Zoning review is part of the same process: the township issues permits only for applications that comply with its zoning chapter, and an approved special exception or variance must be in writing before a permit issues12. Transportation impact fees are payable at the time a building permit is issued13. Ask Code Services for the current fee schedule.

Who issues building permits in Limerick Township, and how do you reach them?

The township's Code Services department takes construction and zoning permit applications at the municipal building counter, by mail, by email, or through a drop-off box in the building's vestibule2. Planning & Zoning, a separate township office, reviews construction permits for zoning compliance and handles zoning use permits and drainage permits3. Phone numbers and emails for both offices are listed with this guide.

Montgomery County does not issue building permits here: Pennsylvania's code is administered by each municipality or a third-party agency, not the county14. The county's Montgomery County page covers the county as a whole.

Does Limerick Township have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. Limerick Township writes its own zoning ordinance, and Planning & Zoning administers it3. Pennsylvania zoning is set by municipalities, so the county's answer does not apply inside the township15.

Rules differ by district. In the R-2 Low Density District, the standard table for homes on public water or sewer sets a minimum lot of 60,000 square feet for traditional development7, front and rear yards of 50 feet and side yards of 25 feet16, and building height of 35 feet17. Building coverage is capped at 10 percent of the lot in the traditional option18. A lot with both a private well and an on-site septic system must meet the stricter R-1 District standards instead19. Confirm your parcel's district with the Zoning Officer before you buy.

How do septic permits work in Limerick Township?

Septic permits for on-lot systems are required and come from Montgomery County's Office of Public Health, not the township54. Applications go to the sewage enforcement officer for your territory, and installed systems are inspected before final approval20. Pennsylvania's Sewage Facilities Act also requires a permit before a building served by an on-lot system is built or occupied21.

Many Limerick lots are on public sewer, in which case no septic permit applies; ask the township whether your parcel can connect. Drinking-water, irrigation and geothermal wells need a county permit6. About 28 percent of the soils in Montgomery County rate as not limited for a conventional septic drain field, so many lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system22.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Limerick Township?

Limerick Township's zoning bars travel trailers and motor homes as dwellings in its Mobile Home Park District10. We could not confirm a township-wide rule on living in an RV on private land, and we could not confirm a tiny-home rule. Ask the Zoning Officer at Planning & Zoning before you place either.

The township's mobile home park district allows single- and double-width mobile homes within an approved park23. Pennsylvania's state park camping rules do not answer whether you can live in an RV on your own land24.

Building a home in Limerick Township: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Planning & Zoning which zoning district your parcel is in and whether the lot is buildable as it stands3.
  2. If the lot would be divided, check the township's subdivision and land development rules8.
  3. If there is no public sewer, apply to Montgomery County's Office of Public Health for site evaluation and an on-lot septic permit5.
  4. Apply to Code Services for the building permit2.
  5. A driveway onto a state highway needs a PennDOT highway occupancy permit25.
  6. Schedule inspections through Code Services. Pennsylvania requires inspection of permitted residential construction and a certificate of occupancy before use26.

What to check before you buy land in Limerick Township

Confirm the zoning district and whether public water and sewer reach the lot, because both change the minimum lot size7. Check the FEMA flood map: development in a Special Flood Hazard Area needs a floodplain permit27. Montgomery County is densely settled, with about 1,799 people per square mile28, and its effective property tax rate is 1.4 percent29. The county's median property tax bill is $5,776 a year30. A typical home in the county is valued around $504,17931.

Watch-outs

  • Zoning, lot size and setback rules vary by district; the R-2 figures here apply only to R-2 parcels7.
  • We could not confirm whether the township requires a certificate of occupancy of its own, an owner-builder exemption, or an agricultural exemption; ask Code Services before relying on any of them2.
  • We could not confirm township rules on driveways, floodplain permits, or short-term rentals; ask Planning & Zoning3.
  • The township was reviewing data center ordinance amendments in 2026; check Planning & Zoning if a large industrial use is planned nearby3.

Sources

  1. Chapter 73 Construction Codes, Uniform — Township of Limerick, PA (Limerick Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Limerick Township Code Services (limerickpa.org)
  3. Limerick Township Planning & Zoning (limerickpa.org)
  4. On-Lot Sewage Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  5. On-Lot Sewage Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  6. Individual Water Supply Well Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 184, Article XIV R-2 Low Density District — Township of Limerick, PA (Limerick Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Chapter 155 Subdivision and Land Development — Township of Limerick, PA (Limerick Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Contractor Licensing (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 184, Mobile Home Park District — Township of Limerick, PA (Limerick Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Part XIV, Uniform Construction Code, Chapter 403 Administration (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 184, Article III Administration — Township of Limerick, PA (Limerick Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter 82 Fees — Township of Limerick, PA (Limerick Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. PA Department of Labor & Industry - UCC Regulations & Statutes (2026 county census)
  15. Local Registrations, Permits, Zoning (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 184, Article XIV R-2 Low Density District — Township of Limerick, PA (Limerick Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 184, Article XIV R-2 Low Density District — Township of Limerick, PA (Limerick Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. Chapter 184, Article XIV R-2 Low Density District — Township of Limerick, PA (Limerick Township), quoted and re-checked
  19. Chapter 184, Article XIV R-2 Low Density District — Township of Limerick, PA (Limerick Township), quoted and re-checked
  20. On-Lot Sewage Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  21. 25 Pa. Code § 72.22. Permit issuance (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. 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
  23. Chapter 184, Mobile Home Park District — Township of Limerick, PA (Limerick Township), quoted and re-checked
  24. RV and Tent Campsites (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Apply for a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Part XIV, Uniform Construction Code, Chapter 403 Administration (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. PennsylvaniA Floodplain Development Guide (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

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 Limerick Township

Limerick Township’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction work in Limerick Township for which a construction permit is sought.

    • For permits sought on or after January 1, 2026, the applicable codes are the 2021 International Codes, UCC RAC amendments, and the stated local modification.
    • Utility and miscellaneous use structures of 120 square feet or greater are included under the UCC.

    utility and miscellaneous structure threshold: >= 120 square feet (Structures as defined in the UCC)

    “The Uniform Construction Code, referred to above, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the Building Code of Limerick Township (the "Code").”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Properties and permitted work inside Limerick Township subject to zoning enforcement.

    • The cited zoning inspection authority determines compliance or noncompliance with the zoning chapter; this source does not establish the full UCC inspection schedule.
    “Conduct inspections and surveys to determine compliance or noncompliance with the terms of this chapter.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Residential dwellings in the R-2 Low Density District inside Limerick Township.

    • The cited development-standard table applies to residential dwellings serviced by either public water or public sewer.
    • Where both water and sewage disposal are private and on-site, the tract or lot must meet R-1 District requirements.
    “For residential dwellings serviced by either public water or public sewer.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development inside Limerick Township.

    • The Township adopted Chapter 155, including compliance, required improvements, plat approval procedures, plan requirements, and fees provisions.
    “Chapter 155 Subdivision and Land Development”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Development subject to Township transportation impact fees at building-permit issuance.

    • The transportation impact fee is payable to the Township at building-permit issuance.
    • The ordinance was amended in its entirety December 7, 2021 by Ordinance No. 408.
    “there is hereby created a transportation impact fee payable to the Township at the time of building permit issuance.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Zoning and building permit applications inside Limerick Township.

    • Permits issue only for compliant applications.
    • An approved special exception or variance must be evidenced in writing before issuance.
    “Issue permits only in response to those applications which are in compliance with this chapter”

Rules another office applies inside Limerick Township

Limerick Township 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 sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential dwellings in the R-2 Low Density District.

    • The displayed standards vary by utility service and development option.
    • For both private on-site water and sewage disposal, R-1 requirements apply.

    minimum lot area: 60000 square feet (Traditional development served by either public water or public sewer) · minimum lot area: 40000 square feet (Lot averaging served by either public water or public sewer) · minimum lot area: 15000 square feet (Lot averaging with public sewer and public water)

    “Minimum lot area (square feet) | 60,000 | 40,000”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential dwellings in the R-2 Low Density District.

    • Setbacks vary by utility service and traditional, cluster, or lot-averaging option.

    front yard: 50 feet (Traditional development served by either public water or public sewer) · rear yard: 50 feet (Traditional development served by either public water or public sewer) · side yard: 25 feet (Each side; traditional development served by either public water or public sewer)

    “For residential dwellings serviced by either public water or public sewer. (Any tract or lot served by both private on-site water and on-site sewage disposal shall meet the requirements of the R-1 District.)”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential dwellings in the R-2 Low Density District.

    • Building coverage varies by utility service and development option.

    maximum building coverage: <= 10 percent (Traditional or lot-averaging development served by either public water or public sewer) · maximum building coverage: <= 25 percent (Cluster or lot-averaging development with public sewer and public water)

    “Maximum building coverage (percentage of individual lot) | 10 | 25 | 25”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential dwellings in the R-2 Low Density District.

    • The stated 35-foot maximum is shown for the listed traditional, cluster, and lot-averaging options.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet (R-2 residential development options shown in § 184-106)

    “Maximum building height (feet) | 35 | 35 | 35”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Travel trailers and motor homes in a Mobile Home Park District mobile home park inside Limerick Township.

    • This prohibition is limited to mobile home parks in the MHP District; no Township-wide RV-occupancy conclusion is made.
    “but shall not include travel trailers or motor homes.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Single- or double-width mobile homes in an approved mobile home park in the MHP District.

    • The rule applies within the Mobile Home Park District and as part of a mobile home park.
    • No more than 40% of dwelling units in a mobile home park may be conventionally built single-family detached or lot line homes.

    maximum conventionally built dwelling share: <= 40 percent (Of total dwelling units in a mobile home park)

    “A mobile home park may include single- or double-width mobile homes”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work inside Limerick Township.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new or altered residential construction inside Limerick Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Limerick Township.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Limerick Township.
  • Who permits septic — On-lot sewage facilities inside Limerick Township.
8 more unanswered
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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 Limerick Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Montgomery County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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