What Are the Fence Rules in Murrysville, PA?
The fence rules in Murrysville begin with a zoning permit. The municipality's FAQ on residential permits lists fences among the projects that require one. On height, Section 220-60 of the zoning chapter permits fences up to six feet on residential lots in the side and rear yards back to the house, and limits fences to four feet in the area from the house forward to the front yard.
Murrysville's code also has a provision most towns do not. In a residential district, an ornamental fence up to seven feet may be permitted with Zoning Hearing Board approval, provided no adjacent property owner files a written objection. Your neighbors have a formal say in whether the taller fence goes up. This post covers the permit, heights, corner lots, pools and who to call, so you can plan a fence that passes review the first time.
Do You Need a Permit for a Fence in Murrysville?
Yes. Murrysville's residential permit FAQ states that zoning permits are required for fences. A zoning permit is the municipality's confirmation that the size and location of what you plan to build comply with the zoning chapter. It is separate from a building permit, which the same FAQ says is required for swimming pools.
The application is the municipality's Application for Zoning Permit, posted with the building department forms on the Forms, Permits and Maps page of murrysville.com. It asks for the owner's information, the lot number, the subdivision, the tax map number, the acreage and the proposed use.
Section 220-110 of the zoning chapter covers what goes with an application. It calls for a drawing of the property to scale that shows lot dimensions, building locations, yards and easements. For a fence, that means a survey or plot plan with the fence line marked on it.
Murrysville's fee chapter lists a zoning certificate at $25 per unit plus a $5 administrative fee. Confirm the amount that applies to a fence when you submit, since the municipality revises its fees from time to time. Our guide to whether you need a permit to install a fence in Pennsylvania explains how local zoning permits relate to the state building code.
How Tall Can a Fence Be in Murrysville?
Section 220-60 sets three tiers.
Six feet in side and rear yards. Fences up to six feet are permitted on lots used for residential purposes in any district, within the side and rear yards extending to the principal structure. The principal structure is the main building on the lot, which for most readers is the house.
Four feet forward of the house. Fences are limited to four feet in height in the area extending from the principal structure to the front yard.
Seven feet by special approval. Ornamental fences not in excess of seven feet may be permitted with Zoning Hearing Board approval in any residential district, provided that no written objection is offered by the adjacent property owners.
The dividing line is the house, not the front property line. A six-foot privacy fence can run along the side lot line until it reaches the front corner of the house. From that point toward the street, it has to drop to four feet.
Ordinances are amended, and the wording above should be confirmed with the Community Development office before you order materials. For help matching a style to these limits, see how to choose the right fence height and style for your property.
How Does the Seven-Foot Exception Work?
It is a request to the Zoning Hearing Board, not an automatic right. Three conditions come from the text of Section 220-60:
The fence has to be ornamental.
The lot has to be in a residential district.
No adjacent property owner may offer a written objection.
A hearing board application takes longer than a standard zoning permit. If you want the extra height for privacy from a deck next door or a road behind the lot, talk to your neighbors before you apply. One written objection is enough to stop it under the ordinance.
For most backyards, six feet does the job. A solid six-foot panel blocks the view from ground level on flat lots. On sloped lots, where a neighbor's yard sits higher than yours, privacy is harder to get with height alone. Our post on how a board on board fence provides privacy covers a style with no gaps between boards.
What Do Corner Lot Owners in Murrysville Need to Know?
Section 220-60 says lots having frontage on more than one street shall provide the required front yards along every street. A corner lot has a front yard on each street side.
Plan on the four-foot limit applying forward of the house along both frontages, and ask the zoning staff to confirm how they measure it on your lot.
Sight lines matter too. Murrysville's right-of-way chapter says line of sight considerations shall be of utmost importance at intersections, and that driveway entrances shall be kept open and clear of objects to the extent necessary for safe sight distance. Keep fences and plantings near a corner or a driveway low and open.
The road right-of-way is not yours to fence. It usually extends past the edge of the pavement into the lawn, and your survey shows where it ends.
What Are the Pool Fence Rules in Murrysville?
Section 220-53 covers swimming pools. It requires a pool to be no closer than 20 feet to any property line. An in-ground pool must be walled with a fence to prevent uncontrolled access by children from the street or adjacent properties. The fence shall not be less than four feet in height, and all gates must be self-locking with latches.
Above-ground pools with a wall under four feet must be modified to meet the four-foot minimum, and ladders must be removed when the pool is not in use.
Murrysville's fee chapter lists pool permits at $75 for above-ground pools and $200 for in-ground pools. A pool also requires a building permit, and the state building code has its own barrier and gate requirements. The inspector will review the fence against both. See aluminum fencing for pool areas for a material that suits pool enclosures.
How Should You Prepare a Murrysville Fence Application?
Getting the paperwork right the first time saves a trip.
Get a current survey or the recorded plot plan for your lot.
Mark the fence line on it, with the height of each run.
Show where the fence changes from six feet to four feet at the front of the house.
Mark gates, and note the material and style.
Check the plan for easements along the lot lines and keep the fence clear of them.
If you are in an HOA, get its written approval as well.
Underground utilities have to be marked through Pennsylvania 811 before any digging. Your fence contractor places that notification.
Once the permit is issued, keep a copy on site during installation. Our post on how to plan your fence line before calling a contractor covers the layout questions to settle first.
Who Do You Call About a Fence in Murrysville?
The Department of Community Development handles building, zoning and land operation permits.
Address: 4100 Sardis Road, Murrysville, PA 15668
Phone: 724-327-2100
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 5:00
Ask for the zoning or code enforcement staff, and have your address and lot number ready.
FAQ
What is the maximum fence height in Murrysville?
Six feet in the side and rear yards back to the house, and four feet from the house forward. An ornamental fence up to seven feet needs Zoning Hearing Board approval and no written objection from adjacent owners.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Murrysville?
Yes. The municipality lists fences among the projects that require a zoning permit.
Can my neighbor block a seven-foot fence?
Under Section 220-60, the seven-foot ornamental fence provision applies only if no written objection is offered by the adjacent property owners.
How far does a pool have to be from the property line?
No closer than 20 feet under Section 220-53.
Does Murrysville require the finished side of the fence to face out?
Ask when you apply. Facing the finished side toward neighbors and the street is the common practice either way.
Where do I get the fence permit form?
The Application for Zoning Permit is posted with the building department forms on the Forms, Permits and Maps page of the municipality's website.
Fence Installation for Murrysville Homes
Just Fences is a locally owned fence company in nearby Harrison City, in business since 2007. The company installs vinyl, aluminum, wood, chain link and custom fences, offers free quotes, and backs its installations with a 2-year workmanship warranty. Compare materials on the vinyl fences and aluminum fences pages.
Visit Just Fences or call (724) 392-4416 today. Contact us for more information.
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