Short answer
Montgomery Township requires a permit for new and replacement fences. Boundary fences can be 6 ft in side and rear yards but aren’t allowed in front yards unless the front yard faces a major street (then 4 ft). Decorative picket, stone or iron fences up to 3 ft can go anywhere on the lot. Boundary fences sit within 5 ft of the property line and, per township guidance, at least 2 in inside it.
| Rule | What the code says |
|---|---|
| Front yard | No boundary fences unless the front yard abuts a major street (then up to 4 ft). Decorative fences (picket, stone, iron) up to 3 ft are allowed anywhere on the lot. |
| Side and rear yards | Boundary fences up to 6 ft. Privacy fences up to 6 ft, only inside the building envelope and never in the front yard. |
| Corner lots | Side-yard boundary fences up to 4 ft; up to 6 ft and opaque if at least 15 ft back from the ultimate right-of-way or adjoining another residential lot. Nothing over 4 ft in a front yard. |
| Placement | Boundary fences within 5 ft of the property line, as close as possible without being on it (township guidance: at least 2 in inside). Posts face in; the more attractive side faces out. |
| Easements | Discouraged. A signed fence easement agreement with the Township is required, and the fence must be easily removable. |
| Sight triangle | 75 ft along the centerlines at intersections; fences inside it no higher than 3 ft above curb level. |
| Prohibited | Barbed wire and razor fences; electric fences except for agriculture; sharp protrusions; fences in floodplains or wetlands or that interfere with stormwater flow. |
| Pools | Enclosed on all sides by a fence, wall, gate or building at least 4 ft high. |
| Permit | Required for new and replacement fences. Site plan with distances to property lines; HOA approval rules apply. |
From Montgomery Township Zoning § 230-148, § 230-149 and § 230-153, the Planning and Zoning department page and the township’s Requirements for Residential Permit Submittals.
Boundary, privacy or decorative: why the label matters
The township’s code doesn’t treat every fence the same. A boundary fence marks the lot line and has to sit within 5 ft of it, as close as possible without touching it; the permit checklist puts it at least 2 in inside. A privacy fence screens a patio or pool area, stays inside the building envelope, and generally keeps 5 ft from structures; if you attach one to the house, it needs a gate at least 3 ft wide. A decorative fence of picket, stone or iron up to 3 ft can go anywhere, which is how a front walk or garden bed gets a fence here.
Whichever you build, the posts face in and the better-looking side faces your neighbors. The code also bars unusual colors or offensive designs on that outward face.
Front yards on Montgomeryville subdivision lots
Most homes in the township are suburban tract houses on subdivision streets, and the population grew from 3,936 in 1970 to about 25,900 in 2020. On those lots the front yard is off-limits for a boundary fence unless it faces a major street. The code doesn’t list which roads count as major, so for a lot on a busy road, such as Route 309, Route 463 or US 202 Business near Five Points, we ask the zoning office about that specific address.
Corner lots get a middle path. A side-yard fence facing the second street can be 4 ft, or a full 6 ft solid fence if it’s at least 15 ft back from the ultimate right-of-way. That 15 ft setback often decides how much of a corner back yard you can screen.
HOAs, easements and stormwater
Many neighborhoods here have homeowners associations, and the township’s permit guidance says HOA approval rules apply, so get the association’s sign-off first. Fences in utility, stormwater or access easements need a signed fence easement agreement with the Township (with an added fee) and have to be easy to remove. Fences are barred from floodplains and wetlands, such as low ground along Little Neshaminy Creek, which drains most of the township, and from anywhere they would block stormwater flow.
Pools and backyard chickens
A pool must be enclosed on all sides by a fence, wall, gate or building at least 4 ft high. A 5 to 6 ft opaque fence can also let a pool use reduced setbacks. The pool permit needs a site plan showing the pool and its fence, plus a $1,200 curb escrow. Backyard chicken runs are allowed with permit approval and must be fenced at least 4 ft high.
Applying
Apply through the Planning and Zoning Office (215-393-6920) with a site plan showing the fence location and its distances from the property lines. The township didn’t list a fee in what we read. For post depth, the township’s own deck guide sets footings at least 36 in below undisturbed grade, a good benchmark for fence posts too.
What we haven’t confirmed
- The permit fee.
- Which roads the township treats as major streets for front-yard fences.
These rules were checked in October 2026 against Montgomery Township’s zoning code. Codes change, so we confirm with the zoning office before every install. Neighboring rules are on our PA fence permits page, and we’ll check your HOA covenants alongside the code at the free estimate.
Common questions
Can I put a fence in my front yard in Montgomery Township?
A decorative picket, stone or iron fence up to 3 ft, yes. A boundary fence, only if your front yard faces a major street, and then up to 4 ft.
How far inside the property line does my fence have to be in Montgomery Township?
Within 5 ft of the line and as close to it as possible without being on it. The township’s permit checklist says at least 2 in inside the line.
Can I use an invisible or electric fence in Montgomery Township?
Electric fences are prohibited except for agricultural uses. The code section we read doesn’t address buried pet containment systems, so ask the zoning office.