Philadelphia caps residential fence height at 4 feet in the front yard and 6 feet in side and rear yards under Phila. Code §14-706. Corner lots have sight-triangle restrictions. Fences over 6 feet require a building permit. Barbed wire is prohibited in residential districts.
Fence height in Philadelphia is governed by the Zoning Code (Phila. Code Title 14, §14-706 — Fences and Walls). In residential zoning districts (RSA, RSD, RTA, RM, etc.), fences may not exceed 4 feet in the required front yard area and 6 feet in side and rear yards measured from finished grade. Fences exceeding 6 feet, or any fence in a non-residential district above 8 feet, requires a building permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).
Corner lots are subject to a sight triangle rule: fences within the triangular area formed by the curb lines at an intersection may not exceed 3 feet to preserve visibility for motorists and pedestrians. Barbed wire, razor ribbon, and electrified fencing are prohibited in residential zoning districts and require a special-use permit in commercial/industrial districts. Pool barriers must be at least 4 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates per the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code adopted by §A-503.
Historic districts (e.g., Society Hill, Old City) may impose additional design review through the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Property line disputes are civil matters — Philadelphia has no fence cost-sharing statute, so neighbors are individually responsible for their own fences.
Fences exceeding height limits without a variance: $300–$2,000 per Notice of Violation, plus removal at owner expense. Building without a required permit: separate $500+ fine. Sight-triangle violations are typically corrected within 30 days or escalated. Historic district violations carry additional fines from the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
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