Fence Regulations in Harrisburg, PA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a fence or wall in the front yard or in front of the dwelling in the RL and RM districts cannot exceed four feet, while other residential locations allow six feet. Commercial districts cap fences at six feet and the IND district at eight feet. Corner lots must keep a sight triangle clear between three and eight feet high.
Harrisburg PA Fence Height Limits and Sight Triangles
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 7-307.9, § 7-307.14
§ 7-307.9. Fences and walls. ... C. The following standards shall apply in the RL or RM Zoning Districts or on a lot used residentially: (1) Any fence or wall located in the required front yard of a lot, or located to the front of the dwelling, in a residential district shall not exceed four feet in height. (2) A fence or wall located in a residential district in a location other than a require...
Fence Permit Requirements
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, fences, walls, and hedges are permitted by right in every zoning district, but a building permit is required for every permanent fence and wall. A fence in a municipal historic district also needs a certificate of appropriateness, and one in a special flood hazard area needs a floodplain special exception permit.
Harrisburg PA Fence Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 7-307.9
§ 7-307.9. Fences and walls. A. Fences, walls, and hedges are permitted by right in all zoning districts subject to the following general standards: (1) A building permit is required for all permanent fences and walls. Any fence or wall shall be durably constructed and well-maintained. Fences that have deteriorated shall be replaced or removed. (2) Fences and walls located in a municipal histor...
Retaining Walls
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, engineered retaining walls necessary to hold back slopes are exempt from setback regulations and the other regulations of the zoning code and are permitted by right in all districts. Other walls follow § 7-307.9(G): three feet maximum in a required front yard in the RL and RM districts, nothing in the public right-of-way.
Harrisburg PA Retaining Wall and Garden Wall Rules
Light RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 7-307.9
§ 7-307.9. Fences and walls. ... G. Walls shall be installed in accordance with the following: (1) Engineered retaining walls necessary to hold back slopes are exempt from setback regulations and the regulations of this Code, and are permitted by right as needed in all districts; (2) A wall shall have a maximum height of three feet within the required front yard in a RL or RM District; (3) No w...
Material Restrictions
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, no fence can be built from fabric, junk, junk vehicles, rolled wire, sheet metal, appliances, tanks, or barrels. Barbed, razor, or other security wire fencing is prohibited in every zoning district the code addresses, and the OSR, RL, RM, and RF districts also limit fences to a short list of approved materials.
Harrisburg PA Prohibited Fence Materials and Barbed Wire
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 7-307.9
§ 7-307.9. Fences and walls. ... (7) No fence shall be constructed out of fabric, junk, junk vehicles, rolled wire, sheet metal, appliances, tanks, or barrels. ... B. The following standards shall apply in the OSR Zoning District: ... (2) Fences and walls shall be made of brick, stone, ornamental metal, wood, or wood composite material. (3) Chain link fences require special exception permits. (...