Fence Regulations in Allentown, PA (2026)
6 verified fence regulations for Allentown, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In Allentown's neighborhood (residential) zones, fences and walls in a required front setback may not exceed 4 feet, except open-design fences with a solid-to-open ratio of 1:1 or less (picket, split rail, wrought iron) may reach 6 feet; fences outside the front setback may not exceed 6 feet. In all other zones, front-setback fences may reach 10 feet.
4 ft front (6 ft if open); 6 ft elsewhere in N zones
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Zoning Ordinance Sec. 660-45.B and 660-45.C (Ord. No. 16166, adopted Oct. 15, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026)
660-45.B NEIGHBORHOOD ZONES (1) Fences and Walls in Front Setbacks. Fences and walls located in required front setbacks may not exceed 4 feet in height, except that fences and walls with a solid to open area ratio of 1:1 or less (such as a picket, split rail or wrought iron fence) may be up to 6 feet in height (maximum). (2) Fences and Walls Outside of Front Setbacks. Fences and walls located o...
Permit Requirements
Allentown defines a fence as a 'structure,' and Section 1305.02 requires a Zoning Permit from the Zoning Officer before the construction or placement of any structure. Temporary construction-site fences and qualifying retaining walls are exempt from the fence regulations; pool barriers are governed by the building code.
Zoning permit required to build a fence (structure)
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Zoning Ordinance Sec. 1305.02.A (Codified Ordinances, 2015); 'Fence' defined in Sec. 1303
1305.02 ZONING AND BUILDING PERMITS; TIME LIMITATIONS A. Zoning Permits. 1. Permit Required. A Zoning Permit shall be required from the Zoning Officer prior to any of the following: a. the initiation of a new or expanded use of land or structures or the development of new or expanded outdoor storage and display, parking and/or loading docks, b. the construction, expansion or placement of any st...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Pennsylvania has no “Good Neighbor Fence Act.” Each property owner is responsible for their own fence. Common law governs boundary disputes.
Allentown Neighbor Fence Rules
Some RestrictionsRetaining Walls
Allentown requires permits for retaining walls above a certain height, typically 4 feet. Engineering review may be required for taller walls.
Allentown Retaining Wall Regulations
Some RestrictionsPool Barriers
Allentown requires pool barriers meeting safety codes to prevent drowning. Fences must be at least 4 to 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Allentown Pool Barrier & Fencing Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsMaterial Restrictions
Allentown prohibits fences and walls made from scrap sheet metal or similar 'junk' anywhere, and bars barbed wire or electrically charged fences in neighborhood (residential) zones unless the Zoning Officer finds barbed wire necessary to protect against an unusual hazard. Walls must be brick or masonry with a finished appearance.
No junk/scrap metal; no barbed wire or electric in N zones
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Zoning Ordinance Sec. 660-45.A(3) and 660-45.B(3) (Ord. No. 16166, eff. Jan. 1, 2026)
660-45.A GENERAL ... (3) Materials. No fence or wall may be constructed from scrap sheet metal or similar "junk." No fence in a neighborhood zone may be constructed out of barbed wire or be electrically charged, unless the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the zoning officer that barbed wire is necessary to protect persons from an unusual hazard, such as electric transformers. ... 660-45....
Looking for Lehigh County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Allentown city rules.
Fence Regulations in Lehigh County →