Short answer
Exeter Township, Berks County, requires a zoning permit for permanent fences (Zoning §390-83). Its fence section sets no numeric height cap: fences may stand in required yards, and only those over 10 ft must sit at least 5 ft from a lot line (§390-42). Fences stay out of the street right-of-way and the clear sight triangle, 75 ft from the intersection or 150 ft on arterials. Pool barriers must be at least 4 ft high with no opening over 4 in.
Exeter's fence rules in a table
| Rule | What the code says |
|---|---|
| Front yard | No separate height; fences may be in required yards, outside the right-of-way and the sight triangle |
| Side and rear yards | No numeric cap; over 10 ft must be set back at least 5 ft from a lot line (retaining walls excepted) |
| Corner lots | Clear sight triangle 75 ft from the centerline intersection, 150 ft at arterial highways, open from 2.5 ft to 10 ft above street grade (§390-43B) |
| Right-of-way | No fence, wall or hedge within or encroaching on any street right-of-way (§390-42A) |
| Materials | Wood, chain link or similar materials the Zoning Officer approves, uniform and workmanlike (§390-42D) |
| Pools | Permanent barrier at least 4 ft high, no opening over 4 in on a side; gate locked when not in use (§390-29B(1)) |
| Hot tubs and inflatable pools | Secure covers instead of the 4 ft fence |
| Permit | Yes, for permanent fences; temporary snow and construction fences exempt |
Source: Exeter Township Zoning Chapter 390, read October 2026.
How tall can a fence be in Exeter Township?
The fence section doesn't set a maximum. What it does say is that a fence or wall taller than 10 ft must be at least 5 ft from a lot line. Read the other way, a fence 10 ft or under can sit right up to the line. That's a lot more room than the 6 ft limits in most townships around Pottstown, and it makes things like 8 ft deer fence around a garden straightforward from a zoning standpoint.
It isn't a free-for-all. Every permanent fence still needs a permit, the Zoning Officer approves materials beyond wood and chain link, and the sight triangle and right-of-way rules apply to every height. A homeowners association in one of the township's developments can be stricter. And the taller the fence, the more wind it catches, so post size and depth matter more here than the code does.
Pools, hot tubs and inflatables
Exeter's pool section allows a few things other codes don't spell out:
- The barrier is at least 4 ft high with no opening larger than 4 in on a side, or 4 in across for round openings.
- Walls of buildings may serve as part of the barrier.
- For an above-ground pool, the part of the pool wall above ground can count toward the barrier. Its ladder or stairs must be removable or able to be made unusable, and the entrance must close securely to a height of 4 ft.
- The fence needs a gate that is securely locked when the pool isn't in use.
- Hot tubs, spas and inflatable pools can use a cover that secures in place instead of a 4 ft fence.
Building on karst ground
Parts of Exeter sit on limestone and dolomite, and the township has a sinkhole history: one opened in front of a store at Exeter Commons in 2010, about a year after the center opened, and another later swallowed parking spaces. A fence post is a small load, but a soft spot under a post hole is still worth noticing. If an auger drops into a void, we stop and reassess the post location rather than filling the hole with concrete; our sinkhole question explains what to look for.
Which addresses fall in Exeter
Exeter had about 25,500 residents in 2020. Its southern edge is the Schuylkill, and the Daniel Boone Homestead is here. Township homes carry Reading 19606 or Birdsboro 19508 addresses, and edges reach the Douglassville and Oley ZIPs. The 19606 ZIP also covers Mount Penn borough and Lower Alsace Township, which have their own codes. See our Exeter Township and Mount Penn page and Birdsboro page.
Applying for the permit
Bring the Zoning Officer a to-scale map of the lot showing its size, every lot-line dimension and the exact location of existing and proposed buildings, fences and structures (§390-83A(2)(a)). Fees are set by Board of Supervisors resolution and are paid before the permit issues. We prepare the lot map and file it for you.
Unconfirmed items
- The permit fee and whether the township takes applications online.
- Any rule on which side faces out, easements, barbed wire or electric fences: none found in the zoning chapter.
Checked against Exeter's zoning chapter in October 2026. Because the code leaves height open, we confirm the plan with the township zoning office before every install, especially for anything over 6 ft.
Common questions
Can I put a fence right on the property line in Exeter?
A fence 10 ft or under can be, as far as §390-42 goes. Anything taller has to be at least 5 ft from the lot line. You still need a permit, and we recommend confirming where the line is first.
Does my hot tub need a fence in Exeter?
Not if it has a cover that secures to prevent access when it isn't in use. The code allows that in place of the 4 ft fence.