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.
The City of Allentown Zoning Ordinance (Ord. No. 16166, effective January 1, 2026) regulates fences and walls in Section 660-45. Section 660-45.B (Neighborhood Zones) limits fences and walls in required front setbacks to 4 feet, but allows fences with a solid-to-open area ratio of 1:1 or less (such as a picket, split rail, or wrought iron fence) up to a maximum of 6 feet; fences and walls outside the front setback may not exceed 6 feet. Section 660-45.C (Other Zones) allows fences in required front setbacks up to 10 feet and walls up to 6 feet, and outside the front setback allows fences up to 10 feet and walls up to 8 feet. The prior 2015 ordinance (Section 1311.07) used a 6 ft / 4 ft split in residential front yards and an 8 ft cap elsewhere; the 2026 rewrite tightened residential front-setback rules. Heights are measured from grade level to the top of the main segment on the exterior side that faces a street, alley, or other property (Section 660-45.A(4)).
Fences are 'structures' enforced under the Zoning Ordinance. Per Section 1305.09.B, any person who violates the ordinance may, upon being found liable in a civil enforcement proceeding, pay a judgment of up to $500.00 plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The Zoning Officer may order the offending fence corrected or removed.
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