Before hiring a fence company in Montgomeryville, PA review the zoning regulations relevant to fences in Montgomery Township. This article will provide a concise overview of these rules, aiding residents in making informed decisions when installing fences.
Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, is not an incorporated city or town but a part of Montgomery Township. Montgomery Township is responsible for local governance, including zoning regulations that affect Montgomeryville.
Your HOA may have additional rules regarding fence installation. Check with your HOA before starting a fence project. An example of an HOA in Montgomery Township is the Gwynedd Pointe Homeowners Association.
While we try to keep this overview current, we do not represent Montgomery Township. Check with Planning & Zoning in Montgomery Township for the latest official information.
How tall can a fence be in Montgomery Township?
The maximum allowed height of a fence, according to the Montgomery Township Zoning Code, depends on the location of the fence (front yard, rear yard, side yard) and whether it’s in a residential or nonresidential zone, as well as other specific circumstances. Here are the relevant details extracted from the code:
- Residential Uses or Zones:
- Front Yards:
- Maximum of 4 feet high if the front yard abuts a major street.
- No fence is permitted in front yards that do not abut a major street, unless the fence is a non-opaque structure designed for corner lots, set back at least 15 feet from the right-of-way, in which case it can be up to 6 feet high.
- Rear and Side Yards:
- Maximum of 6 feet high.
- Corner Lots:
- Side yard boundary fences on corner lots must be non-opaque and are typically limited to 4 feet high, but can be up to 6 feet high if set back at least 15 feet from the right-of-way or if adjoining another residential lot.
- Front Yards:
- Nonresidential Uses or Zones:
- Front Yards:
- Maximum of 6 feet high, designed as a non-opaque structure.
- Rear and Side Yards:
- Maximum of 8 feet high.
- Corner Lots:
- Side yard boundary fences are maximum 6 feet high as non-opaque structures, unless they adjoin another nonresidential lot, in which case the maximum height is 8 feet.
- Front Yards:
- Other Specific Types:
- Decorative Fences and Walls:
- Maximum of 3 feet high and can be located anywhere on the parcel.
- Privacy Fences:
- Maximum of 6 feet high, must be located within the building envelope of a residential lot, not in the front yard, and set back at least 5 feet from any structure (unless attached to a structure).
- Protective Fences:
- Maximum of 8 feet high, can enclose areas within the side and/or rear yard of commercial or industrial parcels.
- Temporary Fences:
- Maximum of 6 feet high, constructed with specified materials.
- Decorative Fences and Walls:
- Visibility and Easement Requirements:
- Fences must allow more than 50% visibility through them to be considered non-opaque.
- Must not interfere with sight distances at street intersections; fences within a clear sight triangle must not exceed 3 feet in height.
How close to the property line can you build a fence in Montgomery Township?
Boundary fences and walls should be located within five feet of the property line but should not be located on the property line itself. The intent is to place the fence as close as possible to the property line without actually being on it.
Zoning Code For Fences in Montgomery Township
The following are the sections of the Montgomery Township Zoning Code relevant to fences.
§ 230-147 Corner vision obstructions.
On any corner lot, no wall, fence, sign or other structure shall be erected or altered and no hedge, tree, shrub or other growth shall be maintained which, in the opinion of the Township Supervisors, may cause danger to traffic on a street by obscuring the view.
§ 230-148 Fences and walls.
[Amended 9-21-1992 by Ord. No. 92-3Z]
Fences and walls, as defined in Article II, § 230-5, of this chapter, shall conform to the following criteria and standards:
A. Fence orientation. The posts or vertical supports of fences shall be oriented or placed on the side of the fence facing the lot in which the fence is located. The more attractive side of the fence shall face outward from the lot in which the fence is located. Fences shall be installed and maintained so that they are straight and do not sag or lean over the property outward from the lot on which the fence is located. Fences shall not be painted bizarre colors, or combinations thereof, or inscribed with offensive designs on the outward side from the lot on which they are located.
B. Boundary fences and walls.
(1) Location. Boundary fences and walls shall be located within five feet of the property line; they should be located as close as possible to, but not on, the property line.
(2) For residential uses or zones:
(a) In front yards, boundary fences and walls shall not be permitted unless the front yard abuts a major street, as defined in the Township’s Subdivision Ordinance (Chapter 205). In such cases, boundary fences and walls shall be a maximum of four feet in height.
(b) In rear and side yards, boundary fences and walls shall be a maximum height of six feet.
(c) For corner lots, side yard boundary fences shall be a maximum of four feet high and designed to be non-opaque structures. Fences which are located a minimum of 15 feet back from the ultimate right-of-way or immediately adjoin another residential lot may be a maximum of six feet high and may be opaque. No fence higher than four feet shall be permitted in a front yard. All fences must meet the sight distance criteria in Article XXI, § 230-148J.
[Amended 11-28-1994 by Ord. No. 94-42]
(3) For nonresidential uses or zones:
(a) In front yards, boundary fences and walls shall be a maximum height of six feet and be designed as a non-opaque structure.
(b) In rear and side yards, boundary fences and walls shall be a maximum height of eight feet.
(c) For corner lots, side yard boundary fences shall be a maximum height of six feet and be designed as a non-opaque structure, except for fences which immediately adjoin another nonresidential lot, in which case such fences shall be a maximum height of eight feet. All fences must meet the sight distance criteria in Article XXI, § 230-148J.
C. Decorative fences and walls. Decorative fences and walls may be located anywhere within a parcel and shall have a maximum height of three feet. Examples of decorative fences and walls include picket fences, stone walls and iron fences.
D. Privacy fences. Privacy fences shall be located within the building envelope of a residential lot. The maximum height of privacy fences shall be six feet. Privacy fences shall not be located in the front yard. With the exception of where a privacy fence is attached to a structure, privacy fences shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any structure so as to not create an impediment to fire protection services or services for any other life-threatening emergency. Where such fences are attached to a structure, there shall be at least one access gate, of no less than three feet in width, for rapid access to the yard enclosed by the fence.
E. Protective fences. Protective fences shall be permitted to enclose commercial or industrial storage areas or yards which for reasons of public safety warrant enclosure. Protective fences may be located anywhere within the side and/or rear yard of commercial or industrial parcels, provided that these areas require the enclosure of a nuisance, storage area or yard equipment. The maximum height of protective fences shall be eight feet.
F. Temporary fence. The time duration for temporary fences shall be established by the Zoning Officer in the building permit. Temporary fences shall be constructed with roll-up woven wire, rolled plastic fencing material or woodlath material, with a maximum height of six feet.
G. Prohibited uses of fences and walls. The following uses of fences and walls shall be prohibited:
(1) Fences and walls shall not be located within floodplain areas and/or wetlands.
(2) Fences and walls shall not interfere with stormwater flow or natural water flow.
(3) Electric fences and walls shall be prohibited for all uses with the exception of agricultural uses.
(4) Barbed wire or razor fences and walls shall be prohibited for all uses with the exception of industrial and agricultural uses.
(5) Fences and walls with sharp protrusions, such as broken glass or spikes, are prohibited.
H. Fences with utility, stormwater and/or access easements shall be discouraged. Any landowner requesting such a fence must first execute a fence easement agreement with the Township and demonstrate that such fence meets all requirements of the easement’s restrictions. Such fences shall be designed to be taken down easily.
I. Fences shall be considered a non-opaque structure when the through visibility at right angles to any surface of the fence has not been reduced by more than 50% by fence construction.
J. Sight distance. At all intersections of streets, there shall be measured along the center line a minimum clear sight triangle of 75 feet from the point of intersection. Any fences that fall within the clear sight triangle shall be a maximum of three feet in height above the curb level.
§ 230-153 Swimming pool fences.
Any swimming pool erected or maintained within the Township shall be provided on all sides with an enclosing fence, wall, gate, building or other structure not less than four feet in height.
