Rowhome and Twin Fences in the Borough of West Chester, PA

The borough is a different fencing problem from the townships that surround it. West Chester, PA’s 2003 historic preservation inventory counted 1,439 twins and 1,040 rowhouses against 649 single homes, which means most yards share at least one line with a neighbor, run long and slim, and finish at an alley. 76 FENCE West Chester plans borough fences the way you actually use the lot: front to back, one zone at a time.

• Permit: Zoning review for fences, $50 on the borough fee schedule at the time of writing. Confirm with the borough.
• Application: The borough’s Building Permits page links a “Shed, Fence & Patio Application and Instructions.”
• Corners: No fence may obscure the clear sight triangle at an intersection (§ 112-805).
• Pools: Swimming pools must be fenced, with good-quality materials kept in safe condition (§ 112-903).
• Historic district: A fence visible from the street may also need HARB review.

Do you need a permit for a fence in West Chester Borough?

Yes, in the sense that fences go through the borough’s zoning review before installation. The fee schedule lists “Zoning Review (Site plans, fences, sheds, patios, etc.)” at $50.

The borough also expects contractors to be registered with the Pennsylvania Attorney General, with the registration number on the permit. We prepare the application, the drawing of where the fence will run, and the materials list. If your house is inside the downtown historic district, a fence that can be seen from the street may need a separate Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historical and Architectural Review Board. We check that before ordering anything; our historic district page and HARB fence guide explain the process.

One thing we could not confirm from the zoning code is the residential fence height limit in every borough district, so we confirm it with the zoning officer on each job rather than assume.

What works along each part of a narrow borough lot?

Treat the lot as four separate zones. Each has a different job and a different set of constraints.

1. The sidewalk edge. Front fences in the borough are usually low and open, which suits the brick fronts and keeps the street view. Posts stay on your side of the line; the borough has its own specification for sidewalk work, so we do not disturb the brick or concrete. On a corner, the sight-triangle rule decides how close to the intersection anything can stand.
2. The side passage. Between twins, the narrow walk to the back yard is often the one gap a dog finds. A single walk gate with a self-closing hinge closes it without taking up the passage.
3. The rear yard. This is where privacy matters most, because the neighbors’ windows are close. A solid board or vinyl privacy fence is the common choice, built to the height the zoning office confirms for your district.
4. The alley. The back gate gets more use than any other part of the fence: trash day, bikes, deliveries. It needs a strong latch, a lock, and posts set to carry the gate’s weight.

Building a gate that survives alley life

Alley gates fail at the hinge post, usually because the post was sized for a fence panel instead of a swinging gate. We set gate posts heavier and deeper than line posts, add a drop rod on double gates, and choose a latch you can lock from the yard side. A gate that swings into the yard keeps it clear of passing cars and cans in a narrow alley. Our gate installation page covers hardware options.

Who owns the fence between two twins?

It depends on where the fence sits and what you and your neighbor have agreed. A fence fully on your side of the line is generally yours; one built on the line is better treated as shared, with the arrangement put in writing.

Before we replace a fence between twins, we ask both owners to agree on the location, the style and which side faces whom. A survey pin settles location questions faster than memory does. Our guide to shared fences between twins and rowhomes goes further.

Which fence materials suit borough yards?

Wood and aluminum fit the borough’s brick-and-stucco streets most naturally; vinyl earns its place in rear yards where low upkeep matters more than period character.

Does a pool in the borough need a fence?

Yes. The borough’s zoning code requires swimming pools to be fenced and the fence kept in good, safe condition (§ 112-903). Pennsylvania’s pool barrier rules add the specific heights, gaps and gate hardware; see our PA pool fence code guide.

If your property is near campus, our university-area page covers rental fencing, and if you are just over the line, see West Goshen or East Bradford, which handle fences very differently. For a side-by-side view of every nearby municipality, read the West Chester fence permit guide.

Rules change, so confirm with the borough before you build. When you hire us, we pull the permit.