Philadelphia’s RSA zoning districts are designed primarily for single-family attached or semi-detached houses, such as rowhomes and townhouses. While these zones are intended to preserve traditional residential character, other uses like duplexes, multi-family buildings, or commercial activities are generally not permitted unless a special exception or variance is granted. Each RSA subtype comes with its own dimensional controls that govern lot size, frontage, yard depth, and building height, ensuring that development remains consistent with the scale and density of the surrounding neighborhood.
The largest/least restrictive RSA subtype (for more “expansive” attached housing)
Requires large lot area and generous open space (i.e. lower density)
Building coverage and height limits are more relaxed compared to higher-number RSAs
A step more constrained than RSA-1
Still supports attached/semi-detached houses
Requires moderate lot sizes and open space
More compact than RSA-2
Better suited for urban rowhouses on smaller lots
Tighter dimensional limits (smaller allowable lot width, more restricted side yards)
Allows fairly dense rowhouse construction
Has special grouping rules: for example, a block of attached buildings may be limited to up to four structures in a group
Dimensional constraints become more restrictive (smaller lot widths, smaller setbacks)
One of the most common RSA zones (many traditional rowhome neighborhoods)
Designed for compact rowhouses
Minimal lot area: typically 1,440 ft², though subdivision to 800 ft² is possible under conditions (if original lot ≥1,600 ft²)
Open area (yard) requirements are tighter (e.g. small rear yard)
Roof decks, façade alignment, and front setback controls may apply
The newest and most restrictive RSA variant, introduced to curb overdevelopment in sensitive rowhouse areas
Intended for modest rowhouses—narrower lots, lower heights, stricter controls
The maximum height in many cases is 25 ft, though exceptions allow up to 38 ft under certain conditions (e.g. lot area or affordability commitments)
More stringent façade, setback, and lot depth controls compared to RSA-5
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