Short answer
We found no general fence height limit in Washington Township's zoning chapter. What it does require: no fence in a street right-of-way or the clear sight triangle, and within 10 ft of the right-of-way next to a driveway, a fence stays at or under 36 in unless the Township Engineer approves an open design (§131-69). Pools need a permanent fence at least 48 in high. The code counts fences as structures, but we didn't find text that clearly requires a fence permit.
| Rule | What the code says |
|---|---|
| Front yard | No height limit found; every yard of a corner lot that abuts a street is a front yard (§131-69D) |
| Side and rear yards | No height limit found in §131-69 or §131-70 |
| Near driveways | Within 10 ft of the street right-of-way, 36 in max above the driveway surface, unless the Township Engineer approves an open design such as wire mesh or post-and-rail |
| Right-of-way and sight triangle | No fence, wall or hedge in a public street right-of-way or in the clear sight triangle |
| Sight triangle size | The subdivision code describes a 75 ft clear sight triangle (§107-6) |
| Pools | Permanent fence at least 48 in high, unless an above-ground pool's wall is at least 48 in with retractable or removable access; no pools in front yards; 5 ft from lot lines (§131-70D) |
| Prohibited | No residential material bans found |
| Permit | Unconfirmed. Fences are structures under §131-7; zoning permits for small accessory structures are $50 |
Source: Washington Township (Berks) Zoning Chapter 131, SALDO §107-6 and fee schedule §A137-14, read October 2026.
The driveway rule is the one to plan around
Most of what Washington Township regulates about fences comes down to sight lines. When you back out of a driveway, you need to see the road, so any part of a fence within 10 ft of the street right-of-way beside a driveway has to stay at or below 36 in, measured from the driveway surface. The alternative is a fence open enough to see through, like wire mesh or post-and-rail, approved by the Township Engineer. On a rural lot with the house set back, that usually means the first stretch of fence on each side of the drive is low split rail, and the privacy or pasture fence starts farther in.
Nothing goes in the public right-of-way, and nothing goes in the clear sight triangle at an intersection. The subdivision code describes that triangle as 75 ft from the intersection point; we confirm how it's measured on any corner job.
No height limit found, so we ask
We read the fence and accessory-structure sections and the zoning definitions and didn't find a front, side or rear height cap. We also can't rule out a limit somewhere else in Chapter 131, and the township's website wasn't reachable to check guidance. So we don't quote a tall fence here on the strength of a missing rule. For anything over 6 ft, such as deer fence around a garden or orchard, we get the zoning officer's answer first.
Pools
A pool has to be enclosed by a permanent fence at least 48 in high. An above-ground pool can skip the separate fence if its own wall is at least 48 in and its ladder or steps retract or come off. Pools can't go in a front yard, and they need to be at least 5 ft from every lot line. On a corner lot, remember that both street sides count as front yards. Our pool fence page covers gates and latches.
Is a permit needed?
The zoning code's definition of structure includes fences, walls, swimming pools and porches. The fee schedule (Res. 2007-8) says a zoning permit is required with every material change in the use of land and lists $50 permits for accessory structures of 200 sq ft or less. It doesn't have a fence-specific line, and we didn't find text that plainly requires a fence permit. We ask the township before each job and file if they want one.
Bally, Barto and Bechtelsville addresses
Washington Township is one of the main municipalities in the Bally 19503, Barto 19504 and Bechtelsville 19505 ZIPs, and it reaches into Boyertown 19512. Bally and Bechtelsville are also boroughs with their own codes, and Colebrookdale shares some of the same ZIPs under the Boyertown joint ordinance. Check your tax bill for the municipality. If you have acreage and are weighing an electronic pet fence instead of a physical one, see our invisible fence question. Our Bally, Barto and Bechtelsville page lists the rest.
Gaps
- Front, side and rear height limits: none found, but not ruled out elsewhere in Chapter 131.
- An explicit fence permit requirement or fence fee.
- The full measurement rule for the 75 ft sight triangle.
We read Washington Township's code in October 2026. With so much unstated, we confirm with the township zoning office before every install.