Elkins Park, PA

Montgomery County does not regulate accessory dwelling units. Under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968), zoning authority is vested in townships, boroughs, and cities — not counties. Each of Montgomery County's 62 municipalities (Norristown, Pottstown, Lower Merion, Upper Merion/King of Prussia, Abington, Cheltenham, etc.) sets its own ADU rules.

Consumer fireworks are governed by Pennsylvania Act 43 of 2017 as amended by Act 74 of 2022, codified at 72 P.S. §9401 et seq. and 35 P.S. §1271 et seq. Pennsylvania residents 18 and older may purchase and use Class C consumer fireworks, but they must be discharged at least 150 feet from any occupied structure. Act 74 of 2022 expanded municipal authority to restrict fireworks beyond state minimums.

Pool barrier requirements in Montgomery County are set by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (Act 45 of 1999, 35 P.S. §7210.101 et seq.), which adopts the International Residential Code Appendix AG105 statewide for residential pools. Barriers must be at least 48 inches high, with gates self-closing, self-latching, and opening outward. The UCC is enforced by municipal code officials.

Montgomery County, PA has no countywide noise ordinance because Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code (MPC, Act 247, 53 P.S. §10101 et seq.) vests police power in townships and boroughs. Each municipality sets its own rules. In Norristown (Chapter 215), construction noise is prohibited 7:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. weekdays and 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. weekends. Lower Merion Township uses decibel limits with a daytime period of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and nighttime 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Statewide, 18 Pa.C.S. §5503 (disorderly conduct) backstops local enforcement. Call your municipal police department or 911 for live disturbances.

Montgomery County, PA does not regulate fence height countywide; the Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247, 53 P.S. §10101 et seq.) reserves zoning and fence rules to the 62 townships and boroughs. Typical local rules: Norristown Borough caps front-yard fences at 4 feet and rear/side yards at 6 feet, requiring a zoning permit for new fences. Lower Merion Township limits frontage fencing to 4 feet in LDR/MDR districts, with side, rear, and frontage-facade fencing allowed up to 6 feet (8 feet in industrial). Spite fence claims are governed by Pennsylvania common law (Cohen v. Perrino, 50 A.2d 348). Apply through your municipal zoning office.

Pennsylvania's Dog Law (3 P.S. §459-101 et seq.), specifically 3 P.S. §459-305, requires every dog to be confined to its owner's premises, firmly secured by collar and chain, or under reasonable control of a person at all times. Montgomery County does not impose its own leash ordinance; municipalities add stricter rules. Norristown Borough (Chapter 103) requires dogs in public to be on a leash of 6 feet or less and confined behind at least a 4-foot fence at home. Abington Township limits leashes to 8 feet of sturdy material. Lower Merion bars dogs running at large on streets or others' property. Enforcement is by Pennsylvania State Dog Wardens and local police.

Montgomery County participates in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, with significant flood risk along the Schuylkill River, Perkiomen Creek, and Wissahickon Creek. Floodplain ordinances are adopted at the municipal level under the Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act (Act 166 of 1978, 32 P.S. §679.101 et seq.) and 12 Pa. Code Chapter 113. Montgomery County publishes four model floodplain ordinances aligned with FEMA municipality classifications.