Short answer: Style is what the fence does; material is what it is made of. In West Chester, PA the common pairings are 6-ft privacy behind twins and suburban homes, open picket or aluminum in front yards where townships require see-through fences, pool barriers built to the 2018 ISPSC, and split rail, board or deer fencing on larger lots toward the Brandywine.
The same style can be built several ways. A privacy fence might be cedar board-on-board in the borough or tan vinyl in an HOA neighborhood in Uwchlan; a horse fence might be white four-board or rail lined with mesh. 76 FENCE West Chester installs every style below across West Chester, PA and the surrounding townships. Pick the purpose first, then the material.
PrivacySolid panels for a yard that feels like yours.Read more
Semi-PrivacyScreening with light and air.Read more
PicketBorough-friendly front-yard classic.Read more
Front YardOpen fences that meet front-yard rules.Read more
HorizontalClean modern lines.Read more
PoolBarriers planned around PA pool code.Read more
DogFor diggers, jumpers and escape artists.Read more
DeerTall fencing for gardens and orchards.Read more
GardenArbors, raised beds and kitchen gardens.Read more
Horse & FarmBoard and post-and-rail for pastures.Read more
Split RailRustic boundaries for open lots.Read more
SecurityPerimeters that keep people out.Read moreHow do you choose a fence style?
Group the options by the problem you are solving. Most yards need one main style, and some combine two.
Privacy and screening
Full privacy, semi-privacy and horizontal designs for back and side yards, patios and the view of a neighbor’s deck. Start with privacy fences.
The front of the house
Picket and decorative front-yard fences that stay low and open to meet township rules. See front-yard fences.
Safety and containment
Pool barriers, dog fences and security fencing, where gates and latches matter as much as height. See pool fences.
Land and animals
Deer, garden, horse and split rail fencing for larger lots and farms. See horse fences.
What does your yard allow?
Where the fence sits on the lot often decides the style for you, because township rules change from front yard to back.
| Location | Typical local rule | Styles that usually fit |
|---|---|---|
| Front yard | About 36 in to 5 ft, usually open (West Goshen at least half open; East Whiteland at least 50% open; Uwchlan 36 in, or up to 6 ft if 75% open) | Picket, front-yard aluminum, split rail |
| Side and rear yards | 6 ft is the common residential cap | Privacy, semi-privacy, horizontal, dog |
| Around a pool | Barrier at least 48 in with self-closing, self-latching gates (2018 ISPSC) | Pool fencing in aluminum, vinyl or mesh-rated chain link |
| Gardens and orchards | Deer fencing is recommended at 8 to 12 ft, above most 6-ft caps | Deer and garden fencing; check for a permit or variance |
Our front-yard fence rules guide compares more municipalities.
How does West Chester’s housing shape the choice?
The housing stock varies a great deal within a few miles, and the styles follow it.
In the borough, most homes are twins and rowhouses on narrow lots with alleys behind, so the typical project is a short privacy or semi-privacy run with a gate to the alley. In the historic district, picket and iron-look metal suit Italianate and Federal facades; see the HARB fence guide. In the surrounding townships, HOA communities often specify one or two styles. Further out, along the Brandywine and in the battlefield townships, split rail, board fencing and deer fencing take over.
Do different fence styles need different permits?
Often, yes, because permit triggers around West Chester depend on height, length and purpose rather than on style names. West Goshen, Thornbury and Pocopson require a permit for any fence. Westtown requires one for fences over 40 feet in total length and for any pool enclosure fence, whatever its length. East Whiteland’s trigger is a fence over 4 feet, and East Bradford’s is over 6 feet. A short garden fence and a long privacy run can land on opposite sides of those lines. The fence permit guide lays out each municipality. Rules change, so confirm with your township; when you hire us, we pull the permit.
Once you have a style in mind, the fence materials page helps you choose what to build it from, or you can book a free estimate and decide at the walkthrough.
Walk the fence line with us.
A free on-site estimate in West Chester, PA and the surrounding townships. We check the rules for your street, handle the permit and HOA paperwork, and call PA One Call before we dig.
Sources & references
- West Goshen Township Ordinance 12-2024 (fences)
- Uwchlan Township Code § 601.2 (fences)
- East Whiteland Township Code § 200-93 (fences)
- 2018 ISPSC Section 305 barrier summary (Amity Township handout)
Codes and ordinances change. This page is general information, not legal advice; confirm requirements with your municipality.