Erie's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Erie, Pennsylvania, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Height Limits

Erie caps fences, hedges and enclosures in required yard space at 6 ft 6 in in Residential Districts and 8 ft 6 in in non-Residential Districts. Height is measured from the maximum grade on either side of the property.

Key details: Code Section: Zoning Ordinance Sec. 205.19. Residential Max: 6 ft 6 in. Non-Residential Max: 8 ft 6 in.

Zoning violations are enforced by the City of Erie Code Enforcement / Zoning Office; non-compliant fences must be lowered or removed. Contact the Zoning Office at (814) 870-1265.

Material Restrictions

Erie's zoning ordinance does not restrict fence materials by type, but it imposes an opacity rule near corners and driveways: a fence is only 'see-through' if 70 percent of its area is open.

Key details: Code Section: Zoning Ordinance Sec. 205.19. See-through standard: 70% open area. Material type limits: None generally specified.

A vision-obstructing solid fence in the clear-sight triangle must be reduced to 30 in or rebuilt to the 70 percent open standard; enforced by the Zoning Office, (814) 870-1265.

Erie is more permissive than most cities when it comes to material restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

Permit Requirements

The City of Erie issues a dedicated 'Fence' permit. Applications run through Code Enforcement (Room 407, City Hall) and require zoning and building-code review before a fence is installed.

Key details: Permit Type: Fence Permit. Office: Code Enforcement, Room 407, City Hall. Contact: (814) 870-1313 / permits@erie.pa.us.

Installing a fence without the required permit is a code-enforcement violation; the city may require a permit after the fact and bring the fence into compliance with zoning standards.

Approved Materials

Erie's Zoning Ordinance regulates fence height, location, and visibility but does not prescribe a list of allowed materials for residential fences. Specialized rules apply to security fencing and utility-protection chain-link fences under Section 204.19.

Key details: Allowed Materials: Wood, vinyl, chain link, masonry. Security Openings: Max 9 square inches. Utility Chain Link: Height may be increased. Historic Districts: Historic Review Commission. Masonry Walls: PA UCC building permit.

Installing security or razor-wire fencing on a residential lot, exceeding the 6'6"/8'6" caps, or using materials prohibited by an Erie historic-district design review is a zoning violation. The Zoning Officer may order removal or modification and impose municipal fines.

The rules around approved materials in Erie lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Neighbor Fence Rules

Erie's Zoning Ordinance Section 204.19 allows a fence to be placed up to but not over the property line, and does not require neighbor consent. Boundary disputes between adjoining owners are handled under Pennsylvania common law, not the City Code.

Key details: Consent Required: No (city code). Property Line: Up to but not over. Disputes Forum: Erie County Common Pleas. Borough Statute: 53 P.S. 46202 not applicable. Best Practice: Boundary survey first.

Building over the property line is not a city code violation but exposes the owner to a private trespass or ejectment suit. Misstating the line on a permit can void it. Damaging a neighbor's fence creates civil liability.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Erie gives residents more flexibility on neighbor fence rules.

Pool Barriers

Swimming pools in Erie must comply with IRC Chapter 42 Appendix G and IBC Section 3109.4 as adopted by the PA UCC (34 Pa. Code 401-405). Barriers must be at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates around pools over 24 inches deep.

Key details: Code Reference: Erie Art. 1503.2; IRC App. G. State Adoption: 34 Pa. Code 401-405. Min Barrier Height: 48 inches. Gate Hardware: Self-close, self-latch, outward. Pool Setback: 6 ft from house and lines.

An unenclosed pool over 24 inches deep, a barrier under 48 inches, or a gate without self-closing/self-latching hardware is a code violation enforced by Erie's Bureau of Code Enforcement. Penalties include drain orders, daily fines, and attractive-nuisance civil liability.

This is one of the stricter rules in Erie's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Erie gives residents more room on fence regulations. 3 of the 6 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Erie's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.