Short answer
Up to 6 ft 6 in. Upper Gwynedd Township's zoning code (§ 195-9I, amended 2016) limits fences to 6 ft 6 in in the required yards of every district except industrial ones, where the limit is 8 ft. The township applies the same number to front, side and rear yards. Anything taller needs a special exception from the Zoning Hearing Board, and intersections and driveways need clear sight triangles kept open.
Why 6 ft 6 in matters
Most of the townships around Upper Gwynedd stop at 6 ft. The extra 6 in is useful in a practical way. Standard privacy panels are 6 ft tall, and the extra room leaves space for a small gap under the panel, post caps and a yard that isn't perfectly flat, without going over the limit. It is not enough to add a lattice topper; a 6-ft panel plus a 1-ft topper would be 7 ft.
| Where | Upper Gwynedd limit | Typical nearby limit |
|---|---|---|
| Rear and side yards | 6 ft 6 in | 6 ft (Hatfield, Montgomery, Towamencin) |
| Front yard | 6 ft 6 in in the code; sight triangles apply | 3 ft and open (Lansdale); 3 ft, or 4 ft if mostly open (Towamencin) |
| Industrial districts | 8 ft | Varies |
| Taller than the limit | Zoning Hearing Board special exception | Varies |
Upper Gwynedd Zoning § 195-9; neighboring codes from their zoning chapters.
Can I really put a tall fence in my front yard?
The height section applies the same 6 ft 6 in limit in all required yards, front included, which is unusual. Two things often stop a tall front fence anyway:
- Sight triangles. Upper Gwynedd requires clear sight triangles of 100 ft, measured from the street center lines, at intersections, and at least 30 ft at driveways. Fences and plantings can't block them. On a corner lot, or near your own driveway, that rules out a tall solid fence in a large part of the front yard.
- HOA rules. If your neighborhood has a homeowners association, its covenants may limit front-yard fences regardless of what the zoning code allows.
We didn't find a finished-side rule, a setback from the property line or a material rule in the township's fence section. That doesn't mean the township has none elsewhere, so we confirm when we file.
Is my address in Upper Gwynedd?
Upper Gwynedd wraps around North Wales Borough, and many homes with North Wales (19454) or Lansdale (19446) mailing addresses are in the township, including West Point and the area around Station Square by Pennbrook station. If your tax bill says Upper Gwynedd, these rules apply. If it says North Wales Borough or Lansdale Borough, they do not; Lansdale, for example, allows 8 ft only when the part above 6 ft is see-through.
Getting the permit
Fences are on the township's list of work that needs a construction permit. You file the Consolidated Construction Permit Application with two plot plans showing the location and dimensions of the fence. The fee is set by township resolution; we could not read the current amount, so call Code Enforcement at 215-699-7777.
Taller than 6 ft 6 in for deer?
Penn State Extension recommends at least 7 ft to keep deer out of a whole yard, which is over Upper Gwynedd's limit. That would mean a special exception hearing. Our variance page covers how those requests have gone elsewhere in the county.
If you want the most privacy the township allows, we can set 6-ft panels at the right height to use the extra 6 in without crossing the line. We'll measure your yard at the free estimate.
Common questions
Is the 6 ft 6 in measured to the top of the posts?
The code sets a fence height; we keep post tops within it to be safe. If a decorative cap would push you over, we choose a flatter one.
Does Upper Gwynedd have pool-fence rules?
The township's old pool chapter is reserved and we didn't find a township pool-barrier rule, so pools are reviewed under the pool code the township enforces. We confirm the details with Code Enforcement.
Do I need a permit to replace an existing fence?
Fences are on the permit list without a replacement exception that we found. Ask Code Enforcement for a like-for-like repair.