Upper Darby, PA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Upper Darby's fence standards live in § 550-39, Fences, added by Ordinance No. 3116 in 2022 and amended by Resolution No. 27-23 later that year. The general height cap under § 550-39C(1) is six feet above grade, deck, patio or terrace, and it applies to any lot, tract or parcel in the township regardless of zoning district. The R-3 Residence District carries a tighter rule for front yards: § 550-39C(2) drops the maximum front-yard fence height there to four feet, reflecting the denser, more walkable character of that district.

Corner lots get a separate accommodation under § 550-39B(1): a fence up to six feet may go in the front yard facing the street that is not the postal address, but only on one side, and it can't extend past the front building wall. Sight-line protection is handled under § 550-39B(4), which bars any fence from obscuring traffic visibility from intersecting streets, driveways or alleys, a standard the Zoning Officer applies at corner lots and driveway aprons regardless of the numeric height cap. Front yard fences also cannot sit directly above a retaining wall and must be set back at least six inches from it under § 550-39C(3).

All height and placement rules are enforced by the Zoning Officer under § 550-39A, who is charged with regulating the materials, location, height and maintenance of fences townshipwide.