Short answer
Six feet. Muhlenberg Township's zoning code (§355-98) caps every fence and wall at 6 ft, except security fences and decorative retaining walls, and the section we read sets no lower front-yard limit. Corner lots must keep the clear sight triangle open, nothing may go in the street right-of-way, and wire-mesh or chain link fences must be screened from neighbors with landscaping (§355-102).
One height for the whole lot
Section 355-98 says no fence or wall, except a security fence or decorative retaining wall, may exceed 6 ft. Fences, walls and hedges may go within and along the edge of any required yard. We didn't find a separate, lower limit for front yards in that section, which is unusual: many of the townships we cover hold front fences to 4 ft. Before planning a 6 ft fence along the front of a Temple-area lot, we still confirm with the township, because the sight-triangle and right-of-way rules can cut it down near the street.
Rules that shape where the fence goes
| Rule | Muhlenberg Township |
|---|---|
| Height, any yard | 6 ft (security fences and decorative retaining walls exempt) |
| Street right-of-way | Nothing built or planted in the legal or ultimate right-of-way |
| Intersections | Nothing that blocks the view between 2.5 ft and 10 ft above centerline grade; triangle legs of 75, 100 or 150 ft depending on street class |
| Chain link and wire mesh | Screened from neighboring properties with landscaping |
| Barbed wire | Agricultural use only; security fences over 6 ft may carry it on top |
| Uncertain property line | Zoning Officer may require a surveyor to mark it |
Muhlenberg Zoning §355-96, §355-98, §355-102. The sight-triangle and pool sections are summarized, not quoted.
The chain link screening rule
Like Amity and Douglass (Berks) townships, Muhlenberg requires wire-mesh or cyclone fences to be screened from neighboring properties with landscaping (§355-102). If you want chain link for a dog run or a back-yard enclosure, plan the planting in the same budget. Black vinyl-coated chain link behind evergreens is the usual way to satisfy the rule and still keep the cost down; our 4 ft chain link runs about $30 to $45 per foot installed, before planting. Wood, vinyl and aluminum aren't covered by the screening rule.
Pool fences
- Pools over 100 sq ft and 24 in deep need a permanent fence at least 4 ft high (§355-90A(4)).
- Pools must be enclosed by a secured fence or wall at least 4 ft high with a self-latching gate (§355-108A(4)).
If you're replacing an older pool fence, check the gate first. The code calls for a self-latching gate, and older hardware often needs to be swapped to meet that.
Floodplain lots
Muhlenberg has a Floodplain Overlay District (§355-29). We didn't read its fence provisions, so if your lot sits low near a creek, ask the Engineering and Codes Department how the overlay treats a fence before you choose one.
Permit status
The zoning chapter requires a zoning permit to erect any structure (§355-136), and applications need plans drawn to scale showing the lot and every structure on it. We didn't find language that names fences, or a fence fee. Call the Engineering and Codes Department at 610-929-4727; the township office is at 210 George Street. Muhlenberg is a first-class township of 21,915 residents (2020) with its own school district, just north of Reading.
Temple addresses and wildlife
Most of the Temple ZIP, 19560, is Muhlenberg, but parts of Alsace, Maidencreek, Ontelaunee and Ruscombmanor share it, and each has its own code. As for what you're fencing out: a tagged black bear has roamed Laureldale Cemetery and Reading Regional Airport in the township. A 6 ft residential fence won't reliably stop a bear, and our bear page explains why.
Common questions
Can I build a 6 ft privacy fence in my front yard in Muhlenberg?
The fence section we read doesn't set a lower front-yard limit, but corner sight triangles and the right-of-way still apply. We confirm with the township before building a tall fence near the street.
Do I need a survey?
Not automatically. If the line is uncertain, the Zoning Officer can require a professional land surveyor to mark it.