Lower Merion Township
City Zoning Code

The Lower Merion Township Zoning Code is Chapter 155 in the Code of the Township of Lower Merion. The purpose of the Zoning Code is to promote the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, amenities, prosperity, and general welfare of the Township, and to provide a wholesome, serviceable, and attractive community, including without limitation protection of the environment; conservation of land, energy and natural resources; improved mobility; more efficient use of public funds; greater health benefits of a pedestrian environment; preservation of historic and cultural resources; provision of recreational and open spaces; and improvement of the built environment and human habitat by furthering the goals of the January 2016 Comprehensive Plan for the Preservation, Infill and Redevelopment of Lower Merion Township.

The Zoning Code integrates the Township's general goals to retain its character and beauty, and preserve the unique beauty of its natural and built environment, while allowing the continuing evolution of its institutions, and commercial centers and corridors. Intended to advance the interests of both conservation and development, the Code responds to the existing conditions of the Township, including its regional context, natural features, historical development, infrastructure and buildings, and supports the Vision, Guiding Principles and Community Development Objectives in the January 2016 Comprehensive Plan for the Preservation, Infill and Redevelopment of Lower Merion Township, summarized as follows:

The provisions of this chapter apply to all property, structures and uses located with the Township, unless noted otherwise in this section. No property, building, structure or part thereof shall be developed except in conformance with the district in which it is located and with all applicable regulations included in this chapter.

In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the health, safety, and general welfare of the Township.

The Zoning Code is organized in a series of articles that are interrelated and apply to different aspects of development. Each article contains text, tables and figures, all three of which comprise the regulatory provisions of the Zoning Code. The figures are intended to be illustrative of the manner in which the provisions of the text and the tables are to be applied. Where there is a conflict between the figures and the text or the tables, the regulations set forth in the text and tables shall prevail. Where there is a conflict between the tables and the text, the text shall prevail.

The articles are organized as follows:

For the purposes of this chapter, the Township is hereby divided into 34 districts, designated as follows:

In addition, one or more of these districts may by subject to additional regulations of an overlay district. The overlay districts in the Township are designated as follows:

Low density residential. LDR is a low-density and single-family residential district, intended to preserve the existing character of its open spaces and architecture. LDR includes the following districts:

Medium density residential. MDR is a walkable medium-density residential district containing a variety of housing types oriented around multimodal transit. MDR includes the following districts:

Village center. VC is a compact, mixed-use, low-intensity, walkable area that serves the immediate residential neighborhood. The zone is characterized by small-scale mixed-use buildings, local retail and services.

Town center. TC is a medium-intensity, principally walkable area that serves the entire Township along corridors and main streets. The zone is characterized by low- to mid-rise, freestanding and attached commercial buildings, mixed-use buildings, multifamily, as well as grocery stores, retailers, service providers, and food service establishments. TC includes the following districts:

Neighborhood Center. NC is a small commercial area that functions as neighborhood centers that serve the immediate residential neighborhood. The zone is characterized by small-scale commercial buildings, local retail and services.

Light Industrial District. LI is a light industrial area located along the Schuylkill River that permits light industrial uses, commercial uses, and multifamily buildings. The intent of the LI District is to allow development which preserves and enhances sensitive natural features, historic industrial heritage, connection to the regional trail network and public transportation access.

Institutional districts are intended for institutions and large natural and open space preserves. There are four categories that correspond to the variety of activities and range of impacts that might be expected of each.

Special districts are intended to accommodate development with unique requirements related to specific uses or goals of those districts that have been deemed in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare of the Township's residents. Special districts include:

The boundaries of districts shall be shown upon the maps attached to and made a part of this chapter, which shall be designated "Zoning Maps." The maps and all the notations, references and other data shown thereon are incorporated by reference in this chapter and shall be as much a part of this chapter as if all were fully described herein.

The current Zoning Maps are available by:

The boundaries between districts are, unless otherwise indicated, either the property line, center lines of streets or railroad rights-of-way or such lines extended or lines parallel thereto. Where figures are shown on the Zoning Maps between a street and a district boundary line, they indicate that the district boundary line runs parallel to the street line at a distance therefrom equivalent to the number of feet so indicated.

Where boundaries occur within a parcel of land comprising more than one lot, the lots shall be developed separately according to the assigned district.

It is not intended by this chapter to interfere with or abrogate or annul any building code in effect or any rules, regulations or permits previously adopted or issued thereunder, or the rules and regulations of the Board of Health of the Township of Lower Merion, or any rules, regulations or permits previously adopted or issued thereunder and not in conflict with any of the provisions of this chapter, provided that where this chapter imposes a greater regulation upon the use of buildings or premises or upon the height of a building or requires larger open spaces than are imposed or required by such code, rules, regulations or permits, the provisions of this chapter shall control.

In the event conflicts arise between a definition in this chapter and definitions in existing local or county codes, the definitions in this chapter shall prevail.

Whenever federal- or state-owned property is included in one or more zoning districts, it shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter only insofar as permitted by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America and of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to land and buildings or portions thereof owned by Lower Merion Township and used for its governmental purposes.

Public utility corporations. This chapter shall not apply to any existing or proposed building or extensions used or to be used by public utility corporations if, upon petition of the corporation, the Public Utility Commission shall, after a public hearing, decide that the present or proposed situation of the building in question is reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public.