Fence Regulations in Pittsburgh, PA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Pittsburgh caps fences at 6 feet in rear and interior side yards, but limits front-yard and street-facing side-yard fences to 4 feet and requires an open, ornamental design in that zone.
Pittsburgh Privacy Fence Height Rules
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 912.04.K(1)-(2)
K. Fences and Walls. ... (1) In front or side yards where the fence extends closer to a street than the primary structure, only open and ornamental fences are permitted, and shall be no taller than four (4) feet in height; (2) In all other instances, fences, walls, and similar features are permitted within required setbacks to a height of six (6) feet and may be opaque;
Fence Permit Requirements
Backyard fences up to six feet tall need no permit in Pittsburgh; anything taller requires a building permit from the Bureau of Building Inspection under the city's amended residential code.
Pittsburgh Fence Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 1002.02 (IRC § R105.2, as amended)
R105.2 Work exempt from permit. Permits shall not be required for the following... Fences not over six (6) feet (one thousand eight hundred twenty-nine (1,829) mm) high.
Retaining Walls
Pittsburgh exempts retaining walls up to four feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, from a building permit. Taller walls, or any wall holding back a surcharge, need a permit and engineered plans.
Pittsburgh Retaining Wall Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 1002.02 (Residential Code § R105.2, as locally amended)
R105.2 Work exempt from permit. Permits shall not be required for the following... Retaining walls that are not over four (4) feet (one thousand two hundred nineteen (1,219) mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
Material Restrictions
Pittsburgh requires fences and walls to use compatible, durable materials like iron grating, wood, stone, or brick, bans barbed and razor wire citywide, and limits chain-link with slat inserts to General Industrial districts.
Pittsburgh Fence Material Rules
Some RestrictionsPittsburgh Code § 918.03.B.1.b
Walls or fences shall be compatible with architectural style and building materials, shall be constructed of appropriate materials, including, but not limited to iron grating, wood, stone, or brick, and shall provide the required degree of opacity, durability and aesthetic compatibility with the surrounding context. The finished side of a fence or wall shall be placed on the outside of the fenc...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pittsburgh city rules.
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