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Scranton, PA Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

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Key Facts

Consent Required: No (city code)
Property Line: On the line allowed
Disputes Forum: Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas
Borough Statute: 53 P.S. 46202 not applicable
Best Practice: Boundary survey first

Summary

Scranton's Zoning Ordinance allows fences on the property line and does not require neighbor consent. Boundary and partition-fence disputes are resolved under Pennsylvania common law in the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas, not by the City Zoning Officer.

Full Breakdown

Scranton does not require neighbor consent to build a fence. Chapter 445 lets an enclosure be placed on the lot line. Pennsylvania has no general partition-fence statute that applies to a home-rule city of the Second Class A like Scranton. The often-cited 53 P.S. 46202 sits in the PA Borough Code and applies only to boroughs. Fence-line disputes in Scranton are resolved under Pennsylvania common law of boundaries, adverse possession, and easements. Best practice is to order a boundary survey before installation, document the finished (smooth) side facing the neighbor where possible, and record any written boundary-line agreement at the Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds. The Zoning Officer does not adjudicate ownership; unresolved disputes go to the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas.

Violations & Fines

Building over the property line is not a Scranton code violation but exposes the owner to a private trespass or ejectment suit in Lackawanna County. Misstating the line on a zoning permit can void it. Damaging a neighbor's existing fence creates civil liability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my neighbor's permission to build a fence in Scranton, PA?

No. The Scranton Zoning Ordinance does not require neighbor consent. You only need to comply with Chapter 445 height limits, secure any required permit, and stay on or behind your own property line.

What if a neighbor's fence is on my Scranton property?

The Zoning Officer does not resolve boundary disputes. Order a boundary survey, demand removal in writing if it encroaches, and file a trespass or ejectment action in the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas if it is not removed.

Does PA's partition-fence law apply in Scranton?

Not directly. The often-cited 53 P.S. 46202 is in the Pennsylvania Borough Code and applies only to boroughs. Scranton is a home-rule city of the Second Class A, so disputes follow Pennsylvania common law of property.

How does Scranton compare?

See how Scranton's neighbor fence rules rules stack up against other locations.

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Scranton, PA Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

Key Facts

Summary

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Official References

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