Pittsburgh limits residential fence height to 3.5 feet in the front yard and 6 feet in side and rear yards under Zoning Code §912.04. Fences taller than 6 feet require a permit. Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in residential districts. Corner-lot sight triangles must remain clear.
Pittsburgh fence height is governed by the Zoning Code at Title IX, §912.04 (Fences and Walls). In residential zoning districts (R1, R2, R3, etc.), fences may not exceed 3 feet 6 inches (42 inches) in the front yard setback area and 6 feet in side and rear yards, measured from finished grade. Fences exceeding 6 feet in residential districts, or 8 feet in commercial/industrial, require a building permit from the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI) and may require zoning review.
At corner lots, a 30-inch sight-triangle limitation applies within the triangle formed by the intersecting curb lines and a line connecting points 25 feet from the intersection along each curb, to preserve visibility for motorists and pedestrians. Barbed wire, razor ribbon, and electrified fencing are prohibited in residential zoning districts. They may be permitted in industrial districts above 6 feet with a special exception.
Pool barriers must be at least 4 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates per the PA Uniform Construction Code adopted under City Code §1003. Historic districts (e.g., Mexican War Streets, Manchester) impose additional design review through the Historic Review Commission. Pennsylvania has no fence cost-sharing statute, so each owner is responsible for their own fence.
Fence exceeding height limits without a permit: $300–$1,000 per Notice of Violation. Building without a required permit: separate $500+ fine plus retroactive permit fees. Sight-triangle violations are typically corrected within 30 days. Historic district violations carry additional Historic Review Commission penalties.
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