HB 2186 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for accessory dwelling units.

This bill allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as secondary apartments or backyard cottages, to be built on properties with single-family homes across Pennsylvania. It requires every municipality to adopt a simple ordinance permitting at least one ADU per lot and mandates that applications be approved within 30 days (or 60 days with additional review), with automatic approval if deadlines are missed. Municipalities may charge a maximum $250 fee for processing and cannot require permit renewals. The law respects existing deed restrictions and planned community rules while aiming to increase housing options through standardized ADU access.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Jun 2026

House Passage

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Jun 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN3173 → Printer's No. PN3373 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This revised version of the bill simplifies the text by removing redundant definitions and streamlining the application process. It also increases the maximum allowable size for accessory dwelling units from 150 to 200 square feet and introduces a new restriction prohibiting rentals for periods shorter than 30 consecutive days.

Scope change

The bill now applies to any parcel with a residential building, rather than strictly requiring a single-family detached dwelling unit, broadening eligibility for municipalities.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'residential building' to remove the specific requirement that it be a 'single-family detached dwelling unit', expanding the scope of properties eligible for accessory units.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the maximum minimum net floor area for accessory dwelling units from 150 square feet to 200 square feet.

Added a new restriction allowing municipalities to prohibit renting accessory dwelling units for periods of less than 30 consecutive days.

Removed the requirement for a minimum allowance of 600 square feet for building cover or impervious cover, reducing it to 200 square feet.

Deleted the provision requiring a passageway between the accessory unit and the main dwelling, reducing regulatory burdens.

Removed the specific requirement for owner-occupancy, replacing it with a general prohibition on owner-occupancy requirements.

Reordered and renumbered the list of restrictions on accessory dwelling units to improve clarity.

Floor votes · House Jun 1, 2026

How they voted

139–62

Passed

Total votes 201

Jun 1, 2026

D Democratic102

101 Yea 1 Nay

99% Yea

R Republican99

38 Yea 61 Nay

61% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 5, 2026

Committee

Referred to Urban Affairs & Housing

upper

Jun 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third consideration and final passage

lower

Jun 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

Re-reported as committed

lower

May 6, 2026

Committee

Re-committed to Appropriations

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported as amended

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to Housing & Community Development

lower

1 primary · 26 co-sponsors