Do I need a permit to build a fence in Philadelphia, PA?

Most likely yes — typically a written application, a plot plan showing where the fence will sit on your property, and a sketch of the fence design. We have Philadelphia, PA's fence ordinance on file but not its permit threshold, so confirm with the building department before you build.

How tall can my fence be in Philadelphia, PA?

Up to 6' in the rear yard, 4' in front of the building line.

How much does a Philadelphia, PA fence permit cost?

Philadelphia, PA does not publish a flat fence permit fee — it is set by resolution or scales with the value of the work. Confirm the current amount with the building department.

What does a fence plot plan need to show?

Your property outline, location of the proposed fence, total linear feet, height, material, distance from any street/sidewalk, and (in most cities) the location of your house. Fence Plotter generates this automatically from a satellite image and your fence drawing.

Can I draw my plot plan myself?

Yes — most building departments accept owner-drawn plot plans as long as they're clear, dimensioned, and to scale. Fence Plotter produces a permit-ready plot plan + elevation sketch in two minutes.

Philadelphia, PA fence permit site plan

Plan your fence on a satellite map of your Philadelphia, PA property and get a permit-ready PDF in 2 minutes. Free, no sign-up.

If Philadelphia's form asks for a site plan and this page says plot plan, they are the same drawing for a fence application: a to-scale overhead view of your lot with the property lines, the existing structures and the proposed fence dimensioned on it. A surveyed site plan is the one genuinely different document, and only a licensed surveyor can seal one. What a fence permit site plan has to show.

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What you'll get for Philadelphia, PA

✓ Satellite site plan — top-down map of your property with the fence drawn on it, every side dimensioned.
✓ Fence elevation — side view showing height, panel count, and gates.
○ Real lot lines — pending. We use county GIS for this; your county isn't wired up yet so you trace from the satellite image manually.
○ Filled Philadelphia, PA permit form — pending. Until then you get the universal plot plan + a checklist of what to handwrite on the city's form.
✓ Philadelphia, PA ordinance check — height limits, setbacks, and neighbor-consent rules specific to Philadelphia, PA.

Philadelphia, PA fence rules

Max height (rear yard): 6'
Max height (front of building line): 4'

A fence in the front — nearer to the lot line than the required building setback, or than the actual distance from the lot line to the house, whichever of those two is greater — may be no more than 4′ high and no more than 50% opaque. On a corner lot, every side of the building that faces a street follows this same front rule.
A fence at the side or rear, standing at or behind that same line, may be no more than 6′ high.
A fence or wall over 4′ high that is more than 50% opaque may not be built inside a sight triangle.
Fence posts and gate posts integrated as architectural features may reach 6.5′ at the side and rear and 4.5′ in front. Every other part of the fence stays within the heights above.
Any part of a retaining wall standing above the higher grade counts as fence: where a fence sits on top of one, the wall above grade plus the fence together may not exceed the fence height allowed at that spot.
Philadelphia's zoning code sets these heights and is silent on whether you must file for a permit. Confirm that with Licenses and Inspections before you build — this page does not guess at it.

Source: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-293559

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FAQ

Do I need a permit to build a fence in Philadelphia, PA?: Most likely yes — typically a written application, a plot plan showing where the fence will sit on your property, and a sketch of the fence design. We have Philadelphia, PA's fence ordinance on file but not its permit threshold, so confirm with the building department before you build.
How tall can my fence be in Philadelphia, PA?: Up to 6' in the rear yard, 4' in front of the building line.
How much does a Philadelphia, PA fence permit cost?: Philadelphia, PA does not publish a flat fence permit fee — it is set by resolution or scales with the value of the work. Confirm the current amount with the building department.
What does a fence plot plan need to show?: Your property outline, location of the proposed fence, total linear feet, height, material, distance from any street/sidewalk, and (in most cities) the location of your house. Fence Plotter generates this automatically from a satellite image and your fence drawing.
Can I draw my plot plan myself?: Yes — most building departments accept owner-drawn plot plans as long as they're clear, dimensioned, and to scale. Fence Plotter produces a permit-ready plot plan + elevation sketch in two minutes.

Not sure what Philadelphia means by “site plan”? See the nine things a plan reviewer checks — the same list whatever city you are applying in.

Do I need a survey?·Free template — which kind?·Why permits get rejected

Fence Plotter is informational only. Always confirm specific requirements with the Philadelphia, PA building department before submitting.

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Plan a fence in Philadelphia →

Philadelphia, PA fence permit site plan

What you'll get for Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia, PA fence rules

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