Medium Density
Cottage Court
Form: Multiple detached one to two story structures oriented around a shared courtyard.4
Local presence: Although examples exist, cottage court developments are not a common development form in Chester County.
Zoning considerations: Municipalities can encourage cottage court development by defining them as a unique building forms and allowing them in cluster developments. Municipalities can encourage cottage courts by ensuring area and bulk regulations are accommodating. Cottage courts have an open space courtyard located in the center of the buildings, which is used as a common outdoor space. These central courtyards replace rear yards commonly found in other residential developments. Large rear setback requirements can hinder cottage court development, as they designate too much land to open space, leaving insufficient square feet for the residential buildings. Cottage courts may require a minimum of ten dwelling units per acre.
Zoning ordinance examples
- No municipality in Chester County currently defines cottage courts as a unique building form.
4 https://missingmiddlehousing.com/types/cottage-court#idealized
