Do you need a permit for a fence in Philadelphia?
It depends on the project. Philadelphia exempts some fences from a building permit and requires one for the rest1; the exemption's limit is 6 feet, with the conditions in the city's wording below. Work that needs no building permit can still need zoning approval.
On this page
Depends on size or scope
Philadelphia's rule“You probably need a permit if your fence will be…”1
City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and Inspections, Service overview
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Taller than 6 feet (non-masonry); masonry over 2 ft | Taller than 6 feet.1 |
| Zoning permit or review | Front yard non-masonry 4-6 ft: Zoning only | Front yard None* Zoning only Zoning + Building…1 |
Limits and conditions in Philadelphia's rule
Each limit sits next to the sentence it comes from; the conditions in that sentence are part of the rule.
| Rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Exempt up to this height | 6 feet | Fencing up to six feet in height .2 |
| Masonry fence exempt height, side and rear | 2 feet | Side yard None Building only Building only Zoning + Building…1 (Table: Masonry (poured concrete or stone), row Side yard (Up to 2 ft. | 2 ft. to 4 ft. | 4 ft. to 6 ft. | Over 6 ft.)) |
Zoning rules: separate from the building permit
A project can be exempt from one and still need the other (zoning vs building permits).
| Zoning rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning approval needed even without a building permit? | Yes | *Exception: Fences that are more than 50% opaque require a Zoning Permit.1 |
| Front yard: zoning exemption height | 4 feet | Front yard None* Zoning only Zoning + Building…1 (Table: Non-masonry, row Front yard; columns Up to 4 ft. / 4 ft. to 6 ft. / Over 6 ft.) |
What to submit
- Plans required1
Who can apply
- Owner who resides in the building may do the work on an existing one-or-two-family home1
Fence permit fees in Philadelphia
Fee lines as Philadelphia's schedule states them. A minimum or base fee is not the whole price when the line says the fee grows with project value.
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Fence zoning permit (lots with one-or-two-family dwellings) | Flat fee | For lots containing one-or-two-family dwellings: $501 |
| Fence building permit, one-or-two-family dwellings | Flat fee | Flat fee for one-or-two-family dwellings: $691 |
| Fence building permit, each fence (other) | Flat fee | For each fence: $1391 |
| Fence filing fee (one-or-two-family lots) | Flat fee | For lots containing one-or-two-family dwellings: $251 |
All of Philadelphia's fee lines are on the Philadelphia permit page.
Special areas and extra reviews
- Historic Registry or 100-year floodplain: Building Permit always required1
Who to ask
Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)3
Building permits
- Apply online
- eclipse.phila.gov3
- Phone
- 311; (215) 686-8686 outside Philadelphia2
- Address
- 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 191023
- Hours
- Permit and License Center (MSB, Public Service Concourse): 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; by appointment2
- Inspections
- ECLIPSE or IVR (215) 255-40402
Fence permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Philadelphia with 18 other cities on the national fence permit guide, or go straight to one:
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Get a Fence PermitCity of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Get a Building PermitCity of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Department of Licenses and Inspections | HomepageCity of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026