Short answer
In most Montgomery County municipalities either the homeowner or the contractor can file the fence permit, but the paperwork assumes a contractor is involved. Lansdale Borough's application asks for a copy of the contractor's proposal or contract. Upper Dublin won't accept a permit submission from a contractor until it has registered with the township. Worcester wants the owner's written consent when someone else applies. When we build a fence, we file the permit and the PA One Call request.
What the township forms ask for
| Municipality | What the application expects |
|---|---|
| Lansdale Borough | Completed application, dimensioned site plan, and a copy of the written proposal or contract |
| Upper Dublin Township | Online filing through the OpenGov portal; a contractor must complete Contractor Registration before submitting |
| Worcester Township | Written owner consent if the applicant isn't the owner; contractors add their PA registration, liability insurance naming the township, and workers' compensation proof |
| Montgomery Township | Site plan with distances from the lot lines; HOA approval where it applies |
| Towamencin and Upper Gwynedd | Consolidated permit application with two plot plans |
From each municipality's permit page or form, read October 2026.
Nothing we read stops a homeowner from filing in these municipalities. But the forms are built around a contractor's documents, so having the contractor file is usually the smoother path.
Why it usually makes sense for the installer to file
- The drawing matches the build. The person drawing the site plan is the person setting the posts, so the distances on paper are the distances in the ground.
- Questions go to the right person. If the zoning officer asks about a gate, a topper or a setback, the installer can answer and revise the plan.
- The contractor documents are already on hand. Registration, insurance and the proposal are what Worcester, Upper Dublin and Lansdale ask for.
- One Call goes with the digging. Pennsylvania's PUC says that when you hire a contractor to dig, the contractor places the 811 request. Post holes count.
When a homeowner files
Some people prefer to file themselves, often for a do-it-yourself fence or when they want to deal with the township directly. That works, as long as you have the documents the form asks for. If you hire an installer later, the township may want the contract and contractor information added, and in Worcester the contractor's registration and insurance. Also, if you build it yourself, the 811 call is yours to make, at least 3 business days before digging.
Who is responsible if the fence is wrong?
Zoning rules attach to the property, so it is the owner who lives with a fence that doesn't comply. That's one more reason to read the permit and site plan before you sign, whoever files them. Check that the height, the setback from the line and the finished side on the drawing match what you agreed to.
Questions to ask any fence contractor
- Will you file the permit, and is the fee in the price or billed separately?
- Who draws the site plan, and will I see it before it's filed?
- Will you place the PA One Call request?
- Are you registered as a home improvement contractor in Pennsylvania, and is the number on the contract?
- What happens to the schedule if the township asks for changes?
For jobs we build, the permit and the One Call ticket are part of the work, and our Pennsylvania home improvement contractor registration is on the contract. Ask us how it works for your township when we come out.
Common questions
Is the permit fee included in a fence quote?
It varies by contractor, so ask. Fees differ by township; Upper Dublin listed $50 for a fence in its 2021 price list, and Towamencin's 2026 application shows a $95 zoning fee.
What if my HOA has to approve the fence first?
Get the HOA letter before the township application. Worcester asks for it with the permit, and Montgomery Township's guidance says HOA rules apply.
Can a contractor start before the permit is issued?
We don't. Work that has to be changed after an inspection costs more than waiting.