Short answer
Worcester Township's zoning code (§ 150-182A) allows a fence of any style up to 48 in right up to a side or rear property line, but a fence up to 72 in must be set at least 3 ft inside that line in residential districts. The code ties the extra height to the extra distance; it doesn't state a reason. In practice, a 6-ft privacy fence in Worcester leaves a 3-ft strip on your side that you still own and maintain.
The two-tier rule
| Fence height | How close to a side or rear line |
|---|---|
| Up to 48 in, any style | Right up to the property line |
| Over 48 in, up to 72 in | At least 3 ft from the line |
| Over 72 in | No allowance in § 150-182A that we found |
Worcester Township Zoning § 150-182A, last amended January 15, 2025 (Ord. 299).
The code doesn't explain why. The effect is clear enough: a 4-ft fence on the line still leaves light and air for the house next door, while a 6-ft solid wall is pulled back from it. Worcester lets you pick: lower on the line, or taller and set back.
What the 3-ft strip means on your lot
- It is still your land. Setting a fence 3 ft inside the line doesn't give it to the neighbor, but you will need to reach it to mow or trim. A gate at one end helps.
- On a long rear line, 3 ft of depth adds up. On a bigger lot many owners find it a fair trade for privacy.
- Keep a record of where the line is. A survey or the plot plan from your permit shows the fence was set back on purpose, which helps if the property changes hands later.
- If you want both, a common layout is a 4-ft fence on the line around most of the yard and a 6-ft section set 3 ft in where privacy matters, such as beside a patio.
Front yards are tighter still
In the required front setback, Worcester allows no fence except decorative fences up to 30 in, or open-style fences such as picket or split rail that are at least half open, up to 48 in. Decorative corner fences up to 3 ft may run up to 10 ft from a front property corner. A fence in the front setback needs a gate or opening at least 36 in wide on each street frontage, and one per 500 ft of street fencing. Nothing but a mailbox may go in the ultimate right-of-way.
Other Worcester details
- The finished side, without the structural supports, faces neighbors and the street.
- No barbed wire around homes, and no fences made of fabric, junk, appliances, tanks or barrels.
- Where three or more attached townhouses fence their back yards, a 48-in emergency accessway must run along the rear line, with 36-in gates.
- We could not tell from our read of § 150-182A exactly how chain link is treated in residential side and rear yards. We confirm before quoting it.
Applying for the permit
Worcester has its own two-page Fence Permit application. It asks for two copies of the plot plan, an HOA approval letter if your neighborhood has one, and written consent from the owner if someone else applies. A contractor also supplies its Pennsylvania registration, liability insurance naming the township, and workers' compensation proof. The form doesn't list a fee. Applications go to the township at 1721 Valley Forge Road (610-584-1410).
Worcester is a 16.2-square-mile township of villages such as Center Point and Fairview Village, with agricultural districts still in its zoning, and part of it carries a Lansdale mailing address. If your bill says Worcester, these are your rules.
At the estimate we mark both the 48-in line and the 3-ft setback on your plot plan, so you can see the trade-off before you choose.
Common questions
Can my neighbor and I agree to put a 6-ft fence on the line?
The 3-ft setback is in the zoning code, and we found no exception for neighbor agreements. A taller fence on the line would need approval from the township.
Does the setback apply to a fence around a pasture?
Agricultural fencing follows the same § 150-182 rules, and grazing areas must be fenced.
How far from the line does a pool have to be in Worcester?
Pools go entirely in the rear yard, at least 10 ft behind the house and 25 ft from side and rear lines (50 ft in the agricultural districts). We didn't find a separate township pool-fence standard.