Homeowner Tips

Do I Need a Permit for a Fence in Lancaster County, PA?

The short answer: it depends on your municipality. Lancaster County has dozens of townships and boroughs, and permit requirements vary significantly between them. Here's what we know — and why we handle permits for you so you don't have to figure it out yourself.

General Rules in Lancaster County

Most Lancaster County municipalities require a permit if your fence is:

• Over 4 feet tall in a front yard
• Over 6 feet tall anywhere on the property
• On a corner lot (setback rules are often stricter)
• Adjacent to a pool (pool fence permits are almost always required)

Lancaster City

Lancaster City requires a zoning permit for most fence installations. Height restrictions apply in different zoning districts — residential zones typically allow up to 6' in rear and side yards, 4' in front yards. Corner lot visibility triangles are strictly enforced.

Manheim Township

Manheim Township requires a fence permit for structures over 4 feet. They also have specific setback requirements from property lines. We pull Manheim Township permits regularly and know the process well.

East Hempfield Township

East Hempfield requires a zoning permit for fences. Height limits and setbacks apply depending on your zoning district. HOA rules may add additional restrictions beyond township code.

What Happens If You Skip the Permit?

Building without a required permit can result in fines, required removal, or problems when you sell your home. It's not worth the risk — and since we handle permits as part of our process, there's no reason to skip it.

Before Any Install: Call 811

Pennsylvania law requires you to call 811 (PA One Call) before any digging. We handle this as part of our pre-installation process — utility lines are marked before our crew sets a single post.