What Are the Fence Rules in Penn Township, Westmoreland County?
The fence rules in Penn Township allow a fence up to six feet high in a side or rear yard. Front yards are tighter. Section 190-631 of the township zoning chapter permits only decorative fences there, and they must be at least 50 percent see-through, no higher than four feet, and at least five feet from the street right-of-way.
Corner lots have one more limit that most homeowners have never heard of. Section 190-614 caps fences, hedges and walls at three feet above pavement grade inside the sight triangle, which the township defines by extending 75-foot lines along the center lines of the two streets from the point where they meet. Penn Township has also posted a proposed rewrite of its zoning ordinance that had not been formally adopted when we checked the township website in October 2026, so confirm the current numbers before you build. This post walks through heights, front yards, corners, pools, easements and who to call.
How Tall Can a Fence Be in Penn Township?
Six feet in side and rear yards. The zoning chapter says a screening wall or fence no more than six feet in height may be erected in any required side or rear yard or within the buildable area of the zoning lot.
A required yard is the strip between the lot line and the building setback line. The buildable area is everything inside it. For a typical backyard privacy fence, the practical reading is the same either way: six feet is the limit.
Six feet is also a number in state code. Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code exempts fences that are no more than six feet high from its permit requirement, as long as the work does not violate another law or ordinance. A fence taller than that moves into building permit territory. For the statewide picture, see what fence height is allowed in PA.
What Are the Front Yard Fence Rules in Penn Township?
A front yard fence in Penn Township has to meet all three of these conditions from Section 190-631:
Open design. It must be a decorative fence that is at least 50 percent see-through.
Four feet or less. Nothing taller is allowed in the required front yard of a residential lot.
Five feet back. It must sit at least five feet from the street right-of-way.
That rules out solid privacy panels and standard chain link with slats in the front yard. Picket, ornamental aluminum and split rail styles fit the 50 percent test when the gaps are wide enough.
The five feet is measured from the right-of-way line, not from the pavement. The right-of-way usually extends past the edge of the road into the lawn, so the fence ends up farther back than many owners expect. Your survey or recorded plan shows where that line is. Our post on choosing the right fence height and style for your property covers styles that work under limits like these.
What Do Corner Lot Owners Need to Know?
Corner lots have to keep the intersection visible. Section 190-614 says fences, hedges, other plantings, structures and walls shall not be located on corner lots so as to obstruct the vision of vehicle operators across the corner.
Inside the sight triangle, the height limit is three feet from pavement grade. The triangle is drawn by measuring 75 feet along the center line of each street from the point where the center lines intersect, then connecting the two end points.
On most corner lots, that triangle clips the corner of the front yard. A four-foot decorative fence that is legal along the rest of the frontage has to drop to three feet or stop short where it enters the triangle. Have the installer stake the triangle before finalizing the layout.
Do You Need a Permit for a Fence in Penn Township?
Ask the Community Development Department before you start. Section 190-907 of the zoning chapter says no building or structure shall be erected, added to or structurally altered until a permit has been issued by the Zoning Officer, and the application calls for two copies of a plot plan drawn to scale. The same section says a permit becomes void if work does not begin within 90 days of issuance.
The township's fee schedule, adopted by Resolution 125-2022, lists a zoning certification or permit at $25 when it accompanies a building permit and $30 without one.
Penn Township takes applications through an online permit portal linked from the permits page of its website. Describe the fence, its height and its location on the lot, and the staff can tell you what applies. Just Fences lists building permits upon request among its services, so ask about that at your estimate. Our guide to whether you need a permit to install a fence in Pennsylvania explains how township permits and the state code fit together.
What Are the Pool Fence Rules in Penn Township?
Section 190-617 covers private swimming pools. It requires a pool to be located in the side or rear yard at least 20 feet from any property line, and to be completely enclosed by a fence at least four feet in height. Gates or doors must have a spring-loaded latch located a minimum of four feet above the adjacent ground, and they must be locked when the pool is not in use.
The township fee schedule lists pool permits at $75 for above-ground and $100 for below-ground pools.
A pool is also regulated by the state building code, which has its own barrier requirements. Treat the zoning numbers as the local floor and confirm the full barrier rules with the building inspector when you apply. Our post on pool fence installation requirements in PA covers the common barrier details.
Can You Fence Across an Easement or Right-of-Way?
Plan to stay out of them. Section 190-606 states that "no permanent accessory structure shall be constructed in any easement or right-of-way."
Easements for drainage, sewer and utilities can run along rear and side lot lines in a subdivision plan. Check your recorded plan and survey before you set the fence line, and raise any easement with the township when you ask about the permit. Underground utilities also have to be marked through Pennsylvania 811 before the post holes are dug.
Who Do You Call About a Fence in Penn Township?
The Community Development Department handles zoning and permits.
Address: 2001 Municipal Court, Harrison City, PA 15636
Phone: 724-744-2171
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Have your address, a sketch or survey showing where the fence will go, the height and the material ready when you call. If you are in an HOA, get its approval too, since covenants can be stricter than the township.
For a wider checklist, see what to consider before installing a fence in Harrison City or Pittsburgh.
FAQ
What is the maximum fence height in Penn Township?
Six feet in side and rear yards and four feet in the required front yard, where the fence must also be decorative and at least 50 percent see-through.
Can I put a privacy fence in my front yard in Penn Township?
No. Front yard fences must be at least 50 percent see-through and no higher than four feet.
How far from the road does a front yard fence have to be?
At least five feet from the street right-of-way line, which is usually farther into the yard than the edge of the pavement.
How is the corner sight triangle measured?
Measure 75 feet along the center line of each street from the point where the two center lines intersect, then connect the ends. Fences, hedges and walls inside that triangle are limited to three feet above pavement grade.
Is Harrison City part of Penn Township?
Yes. The Penn Township municipal building is at 2001 Municipal Court in Harrison City, and the township's zoning rules apply there.
Are these rules going to change?
They may. The township has published a proposed new zoning ordinance. Check with Community Development for the rules in effect on the day you apply.
A Fence Company Based in Penn Township
Just Fences is located at 1042 Harrison City Export Rd. in Harrison City and has been 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. Open styles that fit the front yard rule are on the aluminum fences page, and the installation process is on the fence installation page.
Visit Just Fences or call (724) 392-4416 today. Contact us for more information.
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