Haverford, PA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)

Haverford Township Code § 182-727(A) requires a permit for every fence, wall and retaining wall. The applicant completes the form provided by the Township of Haverford and attaches a diagram of the area to be fenced or enclosed. Work cannot start until three things have happened: the Zoning Officer has approved the work, a permit has issued, and the required fees have been paid to the Township. The section does not print a dollar amount for the fee.

At the discretion of the Zoning Officer, a survey by a licensed professional land surveyor can be required, and the survey becomes part of the application. That discretion matters on lots where the boundary is in doubt, because § 182-727(B) says fences, walls and retaining walls may not extend into the street right-of-way nor split any division or boundary lines.

The permit review has substance. Under § 182-727(D)(2), the Zoning Officer shall not grant a permit for a fence or wall that constitutes a fire hazard, either by itself or together with existing structures nearby, that interferes with Fire Department access to buildings in the vicinity, or that creates a hazard to street traffic or pedestrians. Under § 182-901, the Zoning Officer examines all applications and issues permits only for construction that follows the chapter and other applicable ordinances.

Temporary fences around construction work are the exception. Section 182-727(D)(1) says the fence rules do not interfere with temporary fences erected or maintained under the Building Code and other Township ordinances, and every temporary fence must be removed immediately after the project is complete. Chapter 58, Building Construction, is the cross-reference for those fences.