Pittsburgh requires the finished side of a fence to face outward toward neighbors. Fences on shared property lines are co-owned with equal maintenance responsibility. Walls over 40 feet need visual relief.
Under the Pittsburgh Zoning Code (Title Nine, Section 918.03), the finished side of any fence or wall must face the adjacent property and/or public rights-of-way. This applies in both residential and nonresidential districts. Fences constructed on a shared boundary line are considered jointly owned under Pennsylvania common law, meaning both property owners share equal responsibility for maintenance and repair costs. If only one owner installs a fence entirely on their property, that owner bears full responsibility. Continuous walls or fences exceeding 40 feet in length require visual relief through pattern breaks, varying materials, columns, or similar design elements to reduce visual monotony. Property owners should verify the exact location of their property line through a survey before constructing a fence to avoid encroachment disputes. Pittsburgh 311 at (412) 255-2621 can assist with complaint referrals.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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