Fence Installation in Chadds Ford, Near West Chester, PA

Chadds Ford is the Brandywine at its most recognizable: the river, the Brandywine River Museum of Art, the countryside the Wyeths painted, and the ground of the 1777 battle. Chadds Ford Township lies just over the Delaware County line from much of our West Chester, PA service area, and the right fence depends heavily on which part of it you live in. We have organized this page by setting rather than by material.

• Lot line: fences may be placed on the lot line in residential zones (§ 135-196A(3))
• Pools: fully enclosed, at least 4 ft, self-closing and self-latching gate (§ 135-203K)
• Streams: 50-ft riparian setback from the top of bank
• Historic review: the township has its own HARB; whether your fence needs review is a question for the township
• County: Chadds Ford Township is in Delaware County

Near the river: what can you build?

Not much close to the water. The 50-foot riparian setback means a fence near the Brandywine or its tributaries generally belongs well back from the bank, and anything in a floodplain should let water and debris pass.

Open split rail or post-and-rail is the usual choice for creekside properties: it marks the line, lets high water through, and is easy to repair if a flood does move a rail. Native plantings between the fence and the stream do the rest. Solid privacy panels and tight mesh are the designs to avoid in a flood path.

If you are unsure where the top of bank is on your lot, mark the question for the walkthrough. Our fences near streams guide explains buffers and floodways in more detail.

On older and battlefield-era properties: does the HARB review fences?

Possibly. Chadds Ford Township has its own historical and architectural review board, and whether a particular fence falls under its review depends on the property and the current ordinance. We ask the township before ordering.

Whatever the review outcome, the fences that tend to suit an old stone house here are low and quiet: split rail, painted picket, or a black ornamental steel or aluminum fence near the house. For background on how historic review works in this area, see our HARB fence guide.

In newer neighborhoods: can the fence go on the property line?

Yes, in residential zones, under § 135-196A(3). That gives you the full width of your yard, but it also means you need to know exactly where the line is.

Lot-line fences work best when neighbors talk first, because the finished face and the maintenance access both affect the person next door. Our pages on fences and property lines in PA and which side faces the neighbor cover the details. Check HOA covenants too; an association can be stricter than the township.

What about deer and horses in open Chadds Ford country?

Plan a tall enclosure for gardens and a board or rail fence for animals. The open fields that make this area recognizable also make it easy for deer to reach your plantings.

Deer exclusion fencing generally needs to be about 8 feet tall, which may exceed residential height limits, so confirm with the township before building one. Around paddocks, three- or four-board fence is easy for horses to see; on lot lines, remember that the line itself is allowed but you still need room to maintain the fence. See deer fences.

What does Chadds Ford require around a pool?

A full enclosure at least 4 feet tall, with a gate that closes and latches itself. The state-adopted pool code adds specifics such as the 4-inch opening limit and latch heights.

Black aluminum is the most common pool fence here because it meets those details and stays out of the view. See pool fences.

For nearby rules, compare Birmingham, which has a stricter pool opening rule, and Glen Mills, which straddles several townships. The fence permit guide covers the wider area.

Rules change, so confirm with the township — when you hire us, we pull the permit.