Short answer
Yes, in side and rear yards, if the part above 6 ft is not opaque. Lansdale Borough's zoning code caps a fence at 8 ft total and lets it go over 6 ft only when the upper section is see-through, such as lattice or open pickets. The one exception is a lot line along railroad property, where a fully solid fence up to 8 ft is allowed. Front yards stay limited to short, open architectural fences.
The rule in Lansdale's code
Section 405-1801A of the borough's zoning chapter says a fence may not be over 6 ft "unless that portion of the fence which exceeds six feet in height shall be nonopaque," and that "the total height of the fence may not exceed eight feet." A separate provision allows an entirely opaque fence up to 8 ft along railroad property lines.
| Where on the lot | Solid up to | Total height allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Side and rear yards | 6 ft | 8 ft, if the part above 6 ft is not opaque |
| Lot line along railroad property | 8 ft | 8 ft |
| In front of the house's front wall | Not allowed, except open architectural fences of 2 to 3 ft | 3 ft under the current code |
Lansdale Zoning Ch. 405, Art. XVIII.
What does "nonopaque" mean in practice?
The borough code doesn't put a percentage on it in what we read, so we treat it the way an inspector standing in the next yard would: you should be able to see through the top section. These toppers usually qualify:
- Square or diamond lattice above a 6-ft board or vinyl fence.
- Spaced pickets or balusters with clear gaps between them.
- An open aluminum section mounted above a solid lower fence.
A topper of tightly spaced boards, or lattice backed with a privacy screen, would be opaque and would not meet the rule. We put the topper detail on the permit drawing so Code Enforcement can approve it before we order materials.
Backing onto the SEPTA line
Lansdale grew up around the railroad, and SEPTA's Lansdale/Doylestown Line still runs through the borough with stops at Lansdale, Pennbrook and 9th Street. If your rear or side lot line is the railroad's property line, the code allows a solid 8-ft fence along that line. That is taller and more private than the solid section allowed anywhere else in the borough. It applies only to the stretch that adjoins railroad property, not to the side lines shared with neighbors. Our guide to fencing beside rail lines covers access and easement questions.
Will 8 ft keep deer out?
Penn State Extension says a fence meant to keep deer out of a whole yard should be at least 7 ft. Lansdale's 8-ft limit clears that bar, but only if the top 2 ft is open, which suits deer fencing anyway. Most of the townships around the borough hold solid fences to 6 ft or 6 ft 6 in, so this is a real advantage of a borough address. Our deer fence page covers designs.
Things that still apply at 8 ft
- The fence still needs a borough permit with a dimensioned site plan.
- It is measured from natural grade, and it can't sit on a berm.
- It still has to be 2 ft from sidewalks and alleys and 10 ft from the curb.
- The finished side faces the neighbor and the street.
- Taller fences catch more wind, so posts need to go deeper. On the red shale under much of Lansdale, that can mean drilling into rock.
If you want height for privacy, a deer problem or a rail line out back, we will draw the options at the estimate and show where 6 ft solid plus 2 ft open would land on your lot.
Common questions
Does a 6-ft fence with 6-in post caps count as over 6 ft?
The code measures the fence, and we don't know how the borough treats post caps. If you are near the limit, ask Code Enforcement or pick a flatter cap.
Can I put an 8-ft fence in Upper Gwynedd or Towamencin with a Lansdale address?
Those townships have their own caps: 6 ft 6 in in Upper Gwynedd, and 6 ft in Towamencin unless the part above 6 ft is at least 4:1 open. Check which municipality issues your permit first.
Is an 8-ft fence much more expensive?
Taller posts, deeper holes and the topper add material and labor. We quote it line by line so you can compare it with 6 ft.