Before You Build in Doylestown, PA: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Doylestown Borough requires all fences be erected within the owner's property lines. No encroachment on public rights-of-way. Pennsylvania has no shared fence cost statute. Disputes typically handled through civil courts.

Doylestown Borough requires a $50 fence permit for any fence installation. Application to Building and Zoning Department. Decorative fences under 18 inches and garden fences under 24 inches are exempt from the permit requirement.

Doylestown Borough: solid/privacy fences max 6 ft, rear/side yards only (not in front yards). See-through fences max 6 ft rear/side to front building line, max 4 ft from building line to front property line. Decorative fences under 18 inches and garden fences under 24 inches exempt from permit.

Doylestown Borough defines swimming pools as any structure with water deeper than 24 inches, including above-ground pools, inflatable pools, hot tubs, and spas. All require zoning permit, fence permit, and possibly electric/plumbing permits. Grading permit also needed.

Doylestown Borough Ch. 23 (Swimming Pools) requires all private pools be enclosed by a fence minimum 4 ft high with max 9-inch openings. Vertical member spacing max 1-3/4 inches. Permits required for pool and fence. Strict compliance required before permit issuance.

Doylestown Borough Ch. 23 requires pool permits, approved filtering system, and compliance with zone setbacks. Pool water must drain to storm sewer or stream, not onto streets. Application must include plans and specifications. PA UCC also applies.

Doylestown Borough does not currently permit garage conversions to independent dwelling units (ADUs not recognized). Conversions to non-dwelling uses require building permits and zoning compliance. Must maintain required off-street parking per zoning district.

Doylestown Borough does not currently recognize ADUs as distinct permitted uses. Zoning Director confirms no self-sufficient accessory dwelling provision. Guest suites without full kitchens may be possible. Borough is revisiting its comprehensive plan, which may address ADUs.

Doylestown Borough requires a building permit for any carport. Detached carports are treated as accessory buildings under Chapter 27: maximum 15 ft in height, located in a rear yard, set back at least the side-yard distance for the district, and at least 15 ft farther back from the street than the rearmost wall of the principal dwelling.

Doylestown Borough allows one storage shed up to 100 sq ft / 8 ft height with reduced setbacks (2.5 ft rear/side). Sheds over 100 sq ft classified as buildings with full setback requirements. Some zoning districts prohibit storage sheds entirely.

Fire pits in Doylestown Borough fall under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance definition of open fires. Cooking-only devices (grills, barbecues) are exempt; recreational fire pits burning wood may be subject to the open burning restrictions. International Fire Code also applies.

Doylestown Borough Air Pollution Control Ordinance (1970) prohibits open fires unless no hazardous condition is created. Open fire defined as burning in open or in a receptacle other than a furnace/incinerator. Grills and barbecues for cooking are exempt.

Doylestown Borough does not require a permit for tree pruning/trimming. However, topping (cutting all limbs like a shrub) is discouraged. Shade Tree Commission provides guidance. Tree removal of protected trees requires a separate permit.

Doylestown Borough requires a $15 Tree Removal Permit for all protected trees (deciduous 6+ inches DBH, evergreen 6+ inches DBH, ornamental/specimen 5+ inches). Application reviewed by Shade Tree Commission within 35 days. Two photos required.

Doylestown Borough receives water from the Doylestown Borough Water Department. No permanent outdoor watering restrictions found in code. During drought emergencies, PA DEP may impose mandatory water conservation. Borough stormwater rules regulate runoff, not consumption.