McKeesport, PA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

McKeesport's 2017 Zoning Ordinance regulates fence height by yard and district. In residential districts (R-1 Single-Family, R-2 Two-Family, R-3 Multi-Family), fences in the rear and side yards typically may not exceed 6 feet. Front yard fences are limited to 3-4 feet (height measured from finished grade) and must use open-design materials that maintain sight distance for vehicles exiting driveways. On corner lots a clear-sight triangle applies: no fence, wall, hedge, or obstruction taller than 3 feet within the triangular area formed by the two intersecting street lines and a 25-foot chord across. In commercial (C) and industrial (I) districts, fences up to 8 feet are typically permitted as of right, and higher fences (often with barbed wire or razor wire in I-district only) may be allowed by special exception. Chain-link with slats, wood stockade, vinyl, and masonry walls are all allowed materials. Pennsylvania has no state fence height preemption, so McKeesport's zoning ordinance controls. A zoning permit from Community Development is required for any new fence — a building permit under the UCC is typically not required for residential fences under 7 feet, but the zoning permit fee applies.