In most of the communities we serve, the short answer is yes: a new fence usually needs some kind of permit or zoning review before it goes in. The details depend on where you live, what you’re building and whether your property falls under an HOA or a historic district. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it out alone. At 76 FENCE Main Line, checking the rules and handling the paperwork is part of every project.
Why townships review fences
Fences affect more than one property. They shape how a street looks, where neighbors’ property lines meet, how drivers see around corners, and how safe a pool is for kids in the neighborhood. So municipalities use zoning and building rules to guide:
- How tall a fence can be, often with different limits for front yards and back yards.
- How close a fence can sit to property lines, sidewalks and the street.
- Visibility near driveways and corner lots.
- Pool barrier requirements.
- Which side of the fence faces outward, in some communities.
Every municipality writes these rules a little differently, and they change over time. Rules vary; we check them for you for your specific address rather than relying on rules of thumb.
Main Line municipalities that typically require a permit or review
Many of the townships and boroughs in our service area require a zoning or fence permit or review, including:
- Lower Merion Township (Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Gladwyne, parts of Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Villanova)
- Radnor Township (Radnor, Villanova, parts of Wayne and Bryn Mawr)
- Tredyffrin Township (Berwyn, Devon, Paoli, parts of Wayne)
- Upper Merion Township (King of Prussia, part of Wayne)
- Haverford Township (Haverford, parts of Ardmore and Bryn Mawr)
- Easttown Township (parts of Berwyn and Devon)
Boroughs such as Narberth, Malvern and West Chester have their own processes as well. Town boundaries and mailing addresses don’t always line up, which is one more reason to check by address. Two homes with the same ZIP code can fall under different townships.
HOAs and historic districts
Township approval is only part of the picture for many homeowners. If you live in a community with a homeowners association, your HOA may have its own design guidelines covering material, color, height and style, and it may require approval before installation. Newer developments, such as many around Newtown Square, often fall into this category.
Historic districts can add another layer of design review, with a focus on how the fence fits the character of the street. On older Main Line blocks with stone homes and Victorians, that often favors traditional looks like picket fences or black aluminum and ornamental steel.
We help prepare what your HOA or review board needs and can suggest options likely to fit. See our HOA fencing page for more.
Pool fences follow extra rules
If your fence will serve as a pool barrier, it has to meet pool safety requirements in addition to zoning rules. In Pennsylvania, pool barriers follow the Uniform Construction Code, which is based on the ICC codes. Key requirements include:
- The barrier must be at least 48 inches high.
- Gates must be self-closing and self-latching.
- Gates must open outward, away from the pool.
There are other details too, such as limits on gaps and on footholds that could let a child climb over. Your township inspector has final say on whether a pool barrier passes. Learn more on our pool fences page.
What you’ll typically need
The specifics vary, but a fence permit application commonly asks for:
- A plot plan or property survey showing where the fence will go.
- The fence height, material and style.
- Gate locations, especially for pool barriers.
- HOA approval, if applicable.
If you have a survey from when you bought your home, keep it handy. It helps confirm the property line, which matters for both the permit and your neighbors. Our guide on fences between neighbors covers that in more detail.
What happens if you skip the permit? Depending on the municipality, an unpermitted fence may lead to fines or an order to modify or remove it, and it can come up when you sell your home. It’s not worth the risk.
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How we handle permits for you
We check the rules for your address, prepare the application details, submit the permit and any HOA paperwork, and track it through approval. We also submit the PA One Call (811) utility locate. Review times vary by municipality and time of year, and we’ll give you a realistic picture during your estimate. Read more on our fence permits service page, or see how the whole project works.
Have a question about your property? Call or text 484-779-6307, or book a free estimate.