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

Plymouth Township’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings inside Plymouth Township.

  • The chapter cross-reference identifies building and one- and two-family dwelling codes at § 5-1; the operative adoption language and edition were not opened.

  “Building and one- and two-family dwelling codes adopted, § 5-1.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Plymouth Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

  • The code identifies the ordinance as adopted by Township Council.

  “Editor's Note: The Zoning Ordinance, No. 342, is included herein as adopted by the Township Council on March 14, 1960.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Plymouth Township zoning districts.

  • The location and boundaries are shown on the Zoning Map, which the ordinance makes part of the ordinance.

  “For the purpose of this ordinance, the township is hereby divided into classes of districts which shall be designated as follows:”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Principal buildings in the AA Residential District inside Plymouth Township.

  • The stated width is measured at the building line.

  minimum lot area: >= 1 acre · minimum lot width: >= 150 feet (at the building line)

  “Minimum Lot Area and Width. A lot area of not less than one acre and a lot width of not less than 150 feet at the building line shall be provided for every principal building erected or used for any use permitted in this district.”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  Lots in the AA Residential District inside Plymouth Township.

  maximum building coverage: <= 10 percent

  “Building Coverage. The building coverage on any lot shall not exceed 10%.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and land development inside Plymouth Township.

  • The ordinance is identified as Ordinance No. 837, adopted September 8, 1980.

  “Editor's Note: The subdivision and land development ordinance, being Ord. No. 837, adopted Sept. 8, 1980, is included herein, at the request of the Township, as a new App. C.”

• Permit processPartial

  Zoning use and occupancy permits inside Plymouth Township.

  • Applications must be made on Township-furnished written forms and include information needed for the zoning officer to determine compliance.
  • A temporary occupancy may be permitted while construction or alteration is incomplete when, in the zoning officer's opinion, it would not jeopardize life or property.

  “All applications for use and occupancy permits shall be made in writing on forms furnished by the township and shall include all information necessary to enable the zoning officer to ascertain compliance with this Ordinance.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Plymouth Township.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Plymouth Township.
• Inspections — Residential construction inside Plymouth Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — AA Residential District, Plymouth Township.
• Living in an RV — Residential occupancy of recreational vehicles inside Plymouth 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.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Plymouth Township 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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