Fencing for Student Rentals and Investment Properties in West Chester, PA

The blocks around the university in West Chester, PA hold one of the area’s largest rental markets, mostly in twins and rowhouses converted for groups of tenants. A fence on a rental has a different job than one on an owner-occupied home. It has to survive move-in weekends, parties, bikes leaned against it and gates left swinging, and it has to look acceptable for years with little attention. This guide is written for owners and property managers. 76 FENCE West Chester is independent and not affiliated with West Chester University.

• Permit: borough zoning review, $50 for fences (at the time of writing — confirm with the borough).
• Contractor: the borough asks for the contractor’s PA home improvement registration number on permits.
• Pools: borough code requires pools to be fenced (§ 112-903).
• Historic district: street-visible fences may need HARB review.
• Low-maintenance picks: vinyl, aluminum, black vinyl-coated chain link.

What is the best fence material for a rental property?

Vinyl for privacy, aluminum for street-facing sections, and black vinyl-coated chain link where budget and durability matter most. All three skip the staining that wood needs every few years, and all three clean up with a wash.

See vinyl fencing and black chain link for more detail on each.

What gates and locks work for multiple tenants?

Heavy-duty hinges, a self-closing spring and a keyed or coded lock. With several tenants coming and going, a gate that closes on its own and latches without effort stays shut. A coded lock avoids rekeying between leases. Gate posts should be stouter than line posts, since gates are where rental fences fail first.

• Self-closing hinges so gates do not hang open.
• Keyed or coded lock; change codes between leases.
• Gate wide enough for bins and bikes.
• Reinforced gate frame and heavier gate posts.
• Trash and recycling enclosure near the alley.
• Clear sight lines at corners (§ 112-805).

Do landlords need a permit to replace a rental fence?

Plan on the borough’s zoning review for new and replacement fences; the borough lists fences among the items covered by its $50 fee. In the historic district, a fence visible from the street may need HARB review as well. Outside the borough, nearby townships set their own rules; West Goshen, for instance, requires a zoning permit for every fence. Our permit guide compares them.

How do you keep a rental fence looking good between tenants?

A short annual routine handles most of it: wash vinyl and coated chain link once a year, walk the line to check posts and gate latches, and fix small problems before they spread. Wood needs re-treating every two to three years, which is why many owners move away from it. Our maintenance calendar lays out a full year, and fence repair covers fixes when something does break.

How do you handle trash and recycling at a rental?

With a dedicated enclosure. Bins left at the curb or scattered in the yard are one of the most common neighbor complaints around rental blocks. A three-sided enclosure with a gate, sized for the number of bins the property actually uses, keeps them upright, out of sight and out of the wind. Placing it near the alley gate shortens the trip on collection day, which makes tenants more likely to use it. Vinyl enclosures match a vinyl privacy fence and need little upkeep.

Should a rental have a privacy fence?

Usually, yes, at least in the back. A solid fence keeps yard activity contained, hides bins and bikes from the street, and reduces complaints from neighbors. In the front, an open aluminum or picket fence defines the property without walling it off, which suits the borough’s streetscape and the historic district.

What does a fence project on a rental look like?

Summer, between leases, is the easiest window, since crews can work without tenants underfoot. Once materials are in, the crew usually needs only a day or two at the property. Permits and material lead times come first, so starting the estimate in spring keeps a summer install realistic. Financing through Wisetack is available for projects between $500 and $25,000, subject to credit approval.

For more about the blocks around campus, see our university area page and the borough page. Rules change, so confirm with the borough — when you hire us, we pull the permit.