Before you hire a contractor for fence installation in Southampton, PA you should check out the process for getting a fence permit in Upper Southampton Township and the rules regarding fences.
Please note this article only concerns fence permits in Upper Southampton Township. If you live in Lower Southampton Township please check out our article on fence permits in Lower Southampton Township.
We try to keep this information up to date, but we do not represent Upper Southampton Township. Always check with the Township for the current requirements for fence permits.
Do you need a permit to build a fence in Upper Southampton Township, PA?
Yes, you need a zoning permit before starting the construction of any new fence in Upper Southampton Township. You do not a separate building permit for a fence.
Do you need a permit to repair a fence in the Upper Southampton Township?
Unclear from the Code so you should contact the Department of Licenses & Inspections to discuss your particular situation.
Where do you get a fence permit in Upper Southampton Township?
You obtain a Zoning Permit from the Department of Licenses & Inspections by filing an Application for Zoning and Building Permit prior to any construction taking place.
You can find the Department of Licenses & Inspections at 939 Street Rd. Southampton, Pa. 18966 or call 215-322-9700 for more information.
How much does a fence permit cost in Upper Southampton Township?
A residential zoning permit for a fence costs $100 and a commercial zoning permit costs $150.
NOTE: “All Fees referenced within this section shall be doubled if the project is started without the applicable Permits and/or Approvals”
How high can you build a fence in Upper Southampton Township, PA?
- Fences are limited to six feet in height in the rear and side yards. Fences are prohibited in the front yard.
What are the rules for building a fence in Upper Southampton Township, PA?
The following are the sections of the Code relevant to fences. Click here for the updated Code of Upper Southampton Township.
§ 185-27 Traffic visibility across corners.
[Amended 1-21-1992 by Ord. No. 294; 3-18-2003 by Ord. No. 356; 12-18-2012 by Ord. No. 418]
A. Except in TCAA communities, no structure, fence, or planting shall be maintained between a plane two feet above curb level and a plane seven feet above curb level so as to interfere with traffic visibility across the corner within that part of the required front or side yard which is within a triangle bounded by the street lot line and a straight line drawn between points on each lot line 25 feet from the intersection of said lot lines or extension thereof. In a TCAA community, posted speed limits of 15 miles per hour and stop signs at all internal intersections shall be used to mitigate such conditions.
B. At each point where a private access way intersects a public street or road, a clear-sight triangle of 10 feet measured from the point of intersection of the street line and the edge of the access way shall be maintained, within which vegetation and other visual obstructions shall not be maintained between a plane two feet above and seven feet above the existing cartway.
C. Except in the TCAA District and RS-zoned properties adjacent to a TCAA community, whenever street center lines are connected by horizontal curves, the following minimum sight distances shall be maintained:
(1) Local streets: 150 feet.
(2) Collector streets: 300 feet. Trees, shrubs, other vegetation and structures that obstruct the minimum site distances required herein shall be prohibited.
§ 185-37 Fences and terraces in side yards.
[Amended 1-21-1992 by Ord. No. 294; 12-18-2012 by Ord. No. 418]
Subject to § 185-29, the provisions of § 185-22 shall not apply to fences, hedges or walls not over seven feet high above the natural grade nor to terraces, steps, or other similar features not over three feet high above the floor of the ground story. In the TCAA Overlay District, the provisions of § 185-22 shall not apply to walls less than eight feet above the existing grade, and such walls may have up to a six-foot decorative fence on top of the wall.
§ 185-45 Fences in residential districts.
A. Fences in front yards prohibited. No continuous constructed barrier shall be allowed forward of the front building setback line. Two exceptions to this rule are as follows:
(1) On multiple-frontage lots, a fence may be installed within the yard which abuts a municipal boundary.
(2) Where the yard on the side of the house (i.e., perpendicular to the main entrance of the house) is defined by this chapter as a front yard (§ 185-5) due to abutting road frontage, a fence may be erected within this yard perpendicular to the main entrance, provided the minimum setback of the fence is 10 feet from any right-of-way line.
[Amended 7-17-2012 by Ord. No. 415]
B. Fences in side and rear yards. Fences may be installed along the side lot lines between the rear lot line and the building setback line and along the rear lot line to a height not exceeding six feet.
C. Materials and construction.
(1) If the fence is wood cover or wood frame, the framework must face the interior of the lot.
(2) If the fence is open metal mesh supported by posts or frames of either pipe or wood, the posts and frame must face the interior of the lot.
(3) If the fence is of masonry construction, a finished surface must be provided on the exterior side.
D. Fences on corner lots. Fences installed on corner lots shall also be subject to the provisions of § 185-27 (Traffic visibility across corners) of this chapter.
§ 185-46 Fences in commercial and industrial districts.
A. Fences in front yards are prohibited.
B. Fences in side and rear yards. Fences of wood, metal or masonry may be erected to a height not exceeding eight feet along the side lot line between the building setback line and the rear lot line and along the rear lot line.
C. Fences on corner lots. Fences installed on corner lots shall also be subject to the provisions of § 185-27 (Traffic visibility across corners) of this chapter.
