Fence Installation Permits in Pittsburgh

Local Rule

City of Pittsburgh Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections (PLI)

Pittsburgh requires a zoning permit for all fences regardless of height, and additionally a building permit once a fence exceeds 6 feet; the city also requires an occupancy certificate for any new fence, meaning an inspection confirms it was built according to the approved plans. Under Zoning Code Chapter 912, a fence in a front or side yard that extends closer to the street than the primary structure must be open/ornamental and no taller than 4 feet; elsewhere within required setbacks, fences may reach 6 feet and may be opaque. Fences exceeding these standards may be reviewed through the Administrator Exception process, capped at 1 additional foot above the standard limit. Retaining walls up to 4 feet are exempt from a building permit. The finished side of a fence must face adjacent property and public rights-of-way.

Source · Verified September 2026

Pittsburgh Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Allegheny County

Pittsburgh's own rule is shown above (Permit required). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Allegheny County, PA (municipal) / PA Uniform Construction C

Allegheny County does NOT issue fence permits, the county has about 130 municipalities (the City of Pittsburgh plus boroughs and townships), and each sets its own fence rules under its zoning ordinance and the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. In the City of Pittsburgh, the zoning code bans barbed wire and razor-edge fencing in all districts and expects durable materials (wood or vinyl are common); a typical Allegheny township allows fences up to 8 feet in rear and side yards, requires front-yard fences to be at least 75 percent open, and keeps fences out of the public right-of-way. Statewide pool rules apply everywhere: any body of water 24 inches or more deep needs a barrier at least 48 inches high with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Barbed wire and electric fences are generally prohibited in residential zones (rural/agricultural exceptions exist). Because Pittsburgh's older neighborhoods (Lawrenceville, South Side, the North Side) have narrow lots often under 25 feet wid

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Pittsburgh with a confirmed fence installation rule:

FAQs

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