Before you hire a Doylestown fence company you should check out the process for getting a fence permit and the zoning rules regarding fences in the Borough of Doylestown.
Please note this article only concerns fence permits in the Borough of Doylestown. If you live in Doylestown Township check out our article on fence permits in Doylestown Township.
We try to keep this information up to date, but we do not represent the Borough of Doylestown. Always check with the Borough for the current requirements for fence permits.
Do you need a permit to build a fence in he Borough of Doylestown, PA?
Yes, you need a permit for any installation of a fence in the Borough of Doylestown.
Start Your Fence Estimate Here:
Do you need a permit to repair a fence in the Borough of Doylestown?
Yes, you need a permit to replace or repair any fence where the cost exceeds 50% of the value of the existing fence.
Where do you get a fence permit in the Borough of Doylestown?
You obtain a fence permit from the Department of Building and Zoning by filing a Fence Permit Application prior to any fence installation, repair or replacement.
You can find the Department of Building and Zoning at 10 Doyle Street in Doylestown (the Borough Hall) or call (215) 345-4140.
How much does a fence permit cost in the Borough of Doylestown?
A fence permit costs $50 and is payable by a check made out to the “Borough of Doylestown”.
How high can you build a fence in the Borough of Doylestown, PA?
- Solid fences or screens shall not exceed six feet in height and shall not be permitted in front yards. This means privacy fences are limited to six feet in height.
- See-through fences shall not exceed six feet in height when erected in the rear and side yards. When erected in the front yard, such see-through fence shall not exceed four feet in height. Be aware that corner properties have two “front” yards. Fences in your front yard can never be taller than four feet.
What are the rules for building a fence in the Borough of Doylestown, PA?
The following are the sections of the Code relevant to fences. Click here for the updated Code of the Borough of Doylestown, PA.
§ 614. Fences. [Ord. 2005-3, 3/3/2005, § 8]
- Standards.
A. All fences and screens must be erected within the property lines, and no fence or screen shall be erected or planted so as to encroach upon a public right-of-way.
B. See-through fences shall not exceed six feet in height when erected in the rear and side yards to the front building line of the existing building. When erected from the front building line of the existing building toward the front property line, such see-through fence shall not exceed four feet in height. In the case of a property with frontage on more than one street, only the frontage toward which the front building facade is oriented shall be subject to front yard height limits for fence. [Amended Ord. No. 2016-5, 7/18/2016]
C. Solid fences or screens shall not exceed six feet in height and shall not be permitted in front yards. In the case of a property with frontage on more than one street, only the frontage toward which the front building facade is oriented shall be subject to front yard height limits and see-through requirements for fence. [Amended Ord. No. 2016-5, 7/18/2016]
D. Barbed wire shall not be used except in special circumstances required for security purposes such as towers, municipal facilities, and public utilities, or as approved by the Zoning Officer.
E. Fences shall have their most pleasant or decorative side facing the adjacent lot with all support posts and stringers facing inward toward the owner’s yard unless such posts or supports are an integral part of the decorative design of the fence.
F. Fences on corner lots shall not violate the requirements of § 507 of this Chapter regarding traffic visibility across corners. - Exempt Fences. The following fences are exempt from permit requirements, and at the discretion of the Zoning Officer, from the provisions of this Article, provided that they are not so constructed as to obstruct the vision of motor vehicle operators or to create other hazards to public safety:
A. Temporary fences constructed of materials approved by the Zoning Officer and not in excess of six feet in height which are erected at a construction site for the purpose of security and protection.
B. Fences erected at the order of the Zoning Officer for the protection of the public.
C. Decorative fences not exceeding 18 inches in height and garden fences not exceeding 24 inches in height. - Living Fences. Living fences are subject to all of the provisions of this Chapter, except that they shall be exempt from the permit provisions of this Chapter. In addition, the living fence shall be planted so that the projected mature size of the living fence shall not be closer than two feet to any sidewalk in existence, any prospective sidewalk or lot line. Living fences must be maintained in a neatly trimmed condition and shall not interfere with the visibility of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
- Prohibited Fences. It shall be unlawful to erect, construct, install or maintain the
following fence structures:
A. A fence which is, in whole or in part, beyond the boundary of private property.
B. A fence which is within six feet of a fire hydrant.
C. A fence that is in violation of § 507 or creates in any manner a visual obstruction to vehicular traffic and thus creates a hazardous condition.
D. A fence in a dilapidated condition whose appearance is neglected, unkempt or the condition of which, in whole or in part, is in substantial disrepair and, as a consequence, is either unsound, hazardous or ineffectual. Fences shall be coated in a monochromatic finish or shall be left to natural weathering. In no instance shall fence coatings contain any words, symbols, graphics or visual communications in nature of graffiti or signage.
E. Any fence erected containing any hazardous substances, such as broken glass, bathed wire, spikes, nails or similar materials designed to inflict pain or injury to any person or animal. Any fence constructed of such materials shall be deemed to be in violation of this Section.
F. Barbed or razor wire fences. - General Requirements.
A. All fences shall be regulated by this Article with the exclusion of earth- or water-retaining walls which shall be governed by other portions of the Code of Ordinances. All fences shall be constructed of masonry, wood, metal or other materials appropriate to their location and purpose.
B. The fence structure shall be adequate to withstand wind-loading and shall in
no way inhibit or divert the free flow of surface water from its natural course prior to the installation.
C. If posts or supporting members are in or on the ground, they shall be of decay-, corrosion- and termite-resistant material, whether treated or natural.
D. All fences shall be maintained in a nonhazardous condition and shall not be allowed to become dilapidated.
E. All permitted fences shall be located on the property of the applicant and not within any public right-of-way. No fence shall be permitted to be located within or so as to enclose a drainage easement or over a water meter box or manhole except upon the written authorization of the Zoning Officer. Fences may be permitted within utility easements, subject to the right of the Borough to remove, without cost or obligation to replace or to restore any such fence. A suitable gate to provide access will be provided when water meters are located in a utility easement. - Permit Required.
A. All fences shall require a permit prior to the installation or erection, except as exempted elsewhere in this Chapter, and it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter or locate a fence within the Borough without first having made an application for and having been issued a permit therefor. A permit is required for fence replacement or any repair of existing fences exceeding 50% or more of the value of the existing fence.
B. The application for a fence permit shall be made to the Borough Zoning Officer and shall include a site plan to scale in duplicate showing:
(1) All structures on the site.
(2) All easements, rights-of-way and dedications.
(3) The proposed location, length and height of the fence.
(4) A description of the materials contained in the fence.
(5) Location of traffic sight triangles at corners if applicable.
(6) Location of fire hydrants, if applicable.
