7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Lancaster County sets no fence-height rule. Each of the 60 municipalities does, under the PA Municipalities Planning Code. Typically fences top out around 42 inches in front yards and 6 feet in side/rear yards. Confirm with your city, borough, or township zoning officer.
Lancaster County issues no fence permits. Whether one is required depends on your municipality: Manheim Township requires a zoning permit for a fence, while East Hempfield Township does not require one (though height and location rules still apply). Check your local zoning office.
Lancaster County has no boundary-fence law. Placement rules come from your municipality. Manheim Township requires that fences sit completely within your lot and that no fence coincide with a lot line — so you cannot straddle the property boundary. Verify your township's setback rules.
Lancaster County sets no wall rule. Your municipality does. Manheim Township requires freestanding walls to be set back 5 feet from side and rear lot lines and caps them at 6 feet in residential yards. All walls must meet the PA Uniform Construction Code. Check your local ordinance.
Lancaster County imposes no fence requirements. Each municipality does. Common local rules: keep fences out of easements and rights-of-way, out of the clear-sight triangle at corners, and off the property line. Manheim Township also bars fences in floodplains and wetlands. Verify with your township.
Lancaster County restricts no fence materials. Municipalities do. The most common restriction is on barbed wire and razor wire: Manheim Township bars them on residential fences and allows them only for commercial or industrial security, six feet or higher off the ground. Check your local zoning ordinance.
Lancaster County sets no material or construction standard for fences. Your municipality does, and all fences and freestanding walls must comply with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as enforced locally. Manheim Township applies the PA UCC to every fence and wall. Confirm with your township.
1 cities in Lancaster County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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