Short answer
New Hanover Township allows fences, hedges and walls up to 4 ft above natural grade in a required front yard and 6 ft in other yards, with nothing over 6 ft anywhere except retaining walls (Zoning §27-1909, §27-1911). No fence may sit in a road's ultimate right-of-way. At intersections, keep a clear-sight triangle of 25 ft, or 50 ft on collector and arterial roads. The code requires a zoning permit for structures; the township's FAQ adds fence-specific details we couldn't re-check this month.
Three numbers do most of the work in New Hanover: 4 ft in front, 6 ft everywhere else, and a corner triangle of 25 or 50 ft. The fourth thing to know isn't a height at all. It's where the road's ultimate right-of-way line falls, and on New Hanover's rural roads that line is often a long way from the pavement.
| Rule | What the code says |
|---|---|
| Front yard | 4 ft above natural grade in any required front yard, for fences, hedges and walls (§27-1909) |
| Side and rear yards | 6 ft above natural grade |
| Anywhere | No fence or wall over 6 ft except retaining walls and building walls; the Zoning Hearing Board may allow taller screening around storage or equipment (§27-1911) |
| Corner lots | Clear-sight triangle 25 ft along each street line from the intersection, 50 ft if either road is a collector or arterial; nothing between 2 ft and 7 ft above curb level (§27-1912) |
| Driveways | 10 ft clear-sight triangles where a private driveway meets a public street, obstructions limited to 2 ft |
| Placement | No fences, hedges or walls in any ultimate right-of-way (§27-1909) |
| Pools | No barrier rule in the zoning chapter |
| Prohibited | None listed |
| Permit | Zoning permit for any structure (§27-2503); fence specifics from the township FAQ not re-verified |
Source: New Hanover Zoning Chapter 27, Part 19, read October 2026.
Where is the right-of-way line on a New Hanover road?
The township's ultimate right-of-way widths run from 52 ft on local roads up to 80 to 120 ft on arterials (§27-1918). On a local road with a 52 ft ultimate right-of-way, the line is typically 26 ft from the centerline, which can put it well inside what looks like your front lawn. On Route 73 or Route 663, it can be farther back still. A fence built in that strip can be ordered out, so we find the line from your deed plan or the township before we stake anything along the road.
Corner lots and driveways
The 25 ft triangle covers most subdivision corners. Where either road is a collector or arterial, the triangle doubles to 50 ft along each street line, which can take a real bite out of a corner yard. Inside it, nothing can stand between 2 ft and 7 ft above the curb, so a 4 ft open picket still counts as an obstruction. Where your driveway meets the street, smaller 10 ft triangles on each side keep fences and plantings to 2 ft. We plan the front run around both.
Hedges count, and grade matters
New Hanover applies the 4 ft and 6 ft limits to hedges as well as fences and walls, so a row of arborvitae across the front yard is held to 4 ft just like a picket fence. Heights are measured above natural grade. If you're thinking of setting a fence on top of a berm or raised bed to gain height, ask first: natural grade usually means the original ground, and we confirm how the zoning officer reads it before building.
Permits
The zoning code requires a zoning permit before any structure is erected, altered or removed (§27-2503), and applications include a scale site plan, at least 1 in = 20 ft on a 24 by 36 in sheet, showing structures relative to property and street lines (§27-2504). Fees are set by the Board of Supervisors, and an escrow may be required. In September 2026 the township's building and zoning FAQ said fences need a permit, that replacing boards without setting new posts is exempt, and that pool fences also need a building permit. We couldn't reload that FAQ this month, so treat those details as the township's last published guidance rather than code.
Which addresses are in New Hanover
The township dates to 1741 and grew by nearly half between 2000 and 2010, to about 13,000 people by 2020. Its villages include Fagleysville, Hoffmansville, Layfield, New Hanover Square, Sassamansville, Frederick and part of Gilbertsville. Most homes have Gilbertsville 19525 or Perkiomenville, Zieglerville or Frederick addresses, and edges of the township use Pottstown, Schwenksville, Green Lane and Pennsburg ZIPs. Gilbertsville also overlaps Douglass Township (Montgomery County), which has its own code. See our Gilbertsville and Perkiomenville pages.
What we haven't confirmed
- The fence permit requirement and board-replacement exemption, as noted above, and the fee.
- Pool-barrier rules: none in the zoning chapter, so the building code governs.
- Rules on which side faces out, barbed wire or electric fences.
We checked New Hanover's zoning chapter in October 2026. Codes change, so we confirm current rules with the township zoning office before every install.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to replace fence boards in New Hanover?
The township's FAQ, as of September 2026, said replacing boards without new posts is exempt but new posts need a permit. We couldn't re-check it this month, so call the township or ask us to.
Can my front hedge be taller than 4 ft?
Not in a required front yard. §27-1909 applies the same 4 ft limit to hedges, fences and walls.