Short answer
Yes. West Pottsgrove Township's fence section allows deer fencing up to a maximum of 8 ft (Zoning §20-1.420.F.3), above its usual 6 ft limit for side and rear yards. Front yards are different: fences there stay at 4 ft unless the part above 4 ft is at least 4:1 open, solid privacy fences aren't allowed, and chicken wire is banned. Confirm the permit with the Zoning Officer.
What the ordinance says
Section 20-1.420 of the zoning ordinance sets 6 ft as the limit in side and rear yards, then lists exceptions in subsection F. One of them reads "for deer fencing up to a maximum of eight feet." A second exception allows 8 ft on residential lots next to the CB, PRC and I districts if the part above 6 ft is 25% open. The deer exception doesn't spell out an openness ratio in the text we read.
Many townships nearby cap fences at 6 ft, so an 8 ft deer fence there means a trip to the zoning board. Having it written into the code saves that step.
Where on the lot it can go
| Part of the lot | General limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Side and rear yards | 6 ft; 8 ft for deer fencing | Up to, but not on, the lot line |
| Front yard | 4 ft, unless the part above 4 ft is at least 4:1 open | Must be at least 1:1 open; no privacy fences; no chicken wire |
| Corner lots | Front-yard rules on every street side | The 4 ft limit applies to lots fronting two or more roads |
| Along a sidewalk | Front-yard fence 2 ft back from the sidewalk | Never inside a street right-of-way |
West Pottsgrove Zoning §20-1.420.
We plan deer fences for the side and rear yards, behind the front line of the house. Whether an 8 ft deer fence could also extend into a front yard under the 4:1 open rule is a question we'd put to the Zoning Officer first; the code doesn't connect the two clauses.
Placement details that matter on a tall fence
- Fences may be built up to, but not on, the lot line. The township encourages a 2 ft setback from a neighboring lot line but doesn't require it. On an 8 ft fence, that 2 ft strip makes maintenance much easier.
- If the fence has a finished side, that side faces the neighbors and the street.
- No fence may obstruct stormwater flow except as part of an approved stormwater system (§20-1.420.B). Deer mesh collects leaves and debris along the bottom, so keep it clear across swales.
- Fabric, junk and similar materials aren't allowed as fencing.
Why 8 ft
A Game Commission officer quoted in Lancaster Farming recommends 8 ft deer fence over the older 6 ft high-tensile electric design, and a Berks County farmer in the same article says deer "go right through" high-tensile wire on its own. West Pottsgrove is in Montgomery County, inside the Game Commission's Southeast Special Regulations Area, where deer rules differ from Berks County. For a garden or young trees, though, a fence is the most direct protection.
For scale, the same article describes a 1,300 ft woven-wire deer fence with 20 braces and 4 gates that cost $19,500. A backyard garden enclosure is far shorter, and the cost depends on the mesh, posts and gates you choose. We quote it after we walk the line.
Bears are a different problem
West Pottsgrove made the news in May 2025 when several black bears, estimated at 300 to 400 lb, were reported near Sylvan Drive. A deer fence isn't built to stop a bear. Our page on fences and black bears covers what helps.
Permit status
The ordinance requires a permit for the erection or placement of any structure (§20-1.1802.A) but doesn't name fences specifically. An engineer's or surveyor's plot plan is only needed if the Zoning Officer asks for one. We confirm with the township for each West Pottsgrove job, including in Stowe and Upper Glasgow, and handle the paperwork if a permit is needed.
Common questions
Can I use chicken wire for a garden fence in West Pottsgrove?
Not in a front yard; the ordinance bars chicken wire there. In the side or rear yard it isn't on the banned list we read.
Does an 8 ft deer fence need to be see-through?
The deer-fencing exception doesn't state an openness ratio in the text we read. Deer mesh is very open anyway. Solid 8 ft privacy is a different matter and isn't covered by the deer exception.