Before hiring a fence company in Upper Dublin Township, PA review the zoning regulations relevant to fences in Upper Dublin Township. This article will provide a concise overview of these rules, aiding residents in making informed decisions when installing fences.
Upper Dublin Township includes all or portions of the following unincorporated communities:
The Code Enforcement Department of Upper Dublin Township handles zoning and permits for fences in these communities. Please note that many of these communities also partially fall within neighboring municipalities, so you must comply with the zoning regulations of those townships, etc.
Your HOA may have additional rules regarding fence installation. Check with your HOA before starting a fence project.
While we try to keep this overview current, we do not represent Upper Dublin Township. For the latest official information, check with the Code Enforcement Department.
How tall can a fence be in Upper Dublin Township?
In Upper Dublin Township, the regulations for fence heights are distinct for front yard and rear yard installations. The height limit for front yard fences is 4 feet. In contrast, rear yard fences are allowed a higher limit of 6 feet.
Solid fences up to 6 feet are permissible on corner lots along arterial or primary streets if they are situated in the rear yard and are accompanied by landscaping to soften their visual impact.
Do you install the “nice side” of the fence towards you or your neighbor?
According to the provided code section (§ 255-24.B), in Upper Dublin Township, PA you must install the fence with the “finished side” facing your neighbor’s property.
Zoning Code For Fences in Upper Dublin Township
The following are the sections of the Upper Dublin Township Code relevant to fences.
§ 255-24. Fencing.
[Amended 9-10-1996 by Ord. No. 916; 4-10-2012 by Ord. No. 12-1256, § 1]
A. No fence or wall (except a retaining wall or a wall of a building permitted under this chapter) over six feet in height shall be erected within any of the required side or rear yard setbacks nor over four feet in height (measured from the sidewalk grade) within the required front yard setback, including any area of overlap with a side or rear yard setback, except as noted below. The front yard setback shall be measured from all street frontages abutting the property, for purposes of this section.
(1) A solid fence up to six feet in height may be erected on corner lots in residential zoning districts (as described in Article VII of this chapter) within the required front yard setback abutting an arterial or primary street , as specified on Upper Dublin Township’s Engineering and Construction Standards, Improvements Procedures, provided:
(a) That the yard area which would be visually screened by such fence when viewed from the arterial or primary street actually serves as the dwellings existing ’s back yard .
(b) The fence is constructed of materials having the appearance of wood, brick or stone.
(c) The fence is set back from the by at least one foot.
(d) Sufficient backdrop landscaping is provided, such as evergreens and deciduous trees with lower canopies visible above the fence, to visually soften views of the fence from the public right of way .
(e) The arterial or primary street is not identified as a scenic road corridor on the 2005 Open Space and Environmental Resource Protection Plan, as amended.
[Amended 4-10-2012 by Ord. No. 12-1256]
B. All fences shall be erected with the finished side of the fence facing adjacent properties. The finished side shall be considered the side without the structural supporting members.
C. All fences or walls erected within the front yard setback shall be provided with an operable gate with a minimum width of 36 inches to provide access to the area between such fence or wall and the cartway of the abutting street . The property owner is responsible for maintaining this area. There shall be a minimum of one operable gate for each street frontage and at least one operable gate for every 500 feet of fencing along a street.
§ 212-35.2. Manual of design standards – GFW Greater Fort Washington District.
(7) Black steel or aluminum fence 36 inches to 42 inches in height shall be installed and maintained between the piers of the pier-fence-hedge combination.
(8) Evergreen hedges at a height of 18 inches to 24 inches shall be installed and maintained in front of fencing for the pier-fence-hedge combination.
