Do You Need a Fence Permit in Philadelphia?
Sometimes
Wood, metal or vinyl fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards need no permit. In front yards, fences over 4 feet (or more than 50% opaque) need a zoning permit, and any fence over 6 feet needs zoning and building permits.
Philadelphia Fence Permits at a Glance
- Permits, last 12 months
- 331
- Issued, last 30 days
- 34
- Median application to issue
- Not published
- Median permit fee paid
- Not published
- Issuing office
- Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)
- Rule last checked
- October 30, 2026
Permits Issued per Month
Counts are approximate: we match permit types and descriptions to fence work. Data from Philadelphia L&I Permits (Carto), refreshed October 30, 2026.
What Philadelphia's Rules Say
- Non-masonry, side/rear yard, up to 6 ft: no permit.
- Front yard over 4 ft or more than 50% opaque: zoning permit.
- Over 6 ft: zoning and building permits; historic or floodplain properties always need a building permit.
Philadelphia Fence Permit Fees
We have not verified Philadelphia's fee for this work from an official fee schedule yet, so we don't quote one. The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) sets the fee when you apply.
Busiest Areas for Fence Permits
| ZIP code | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| 19132 | 59 |
| 19121 | 33 |
| 19134 | 26 |
| 19140 | 23 |
| 19133 | 22 |
| 19139 | 19 |
How to Get a Fence Permit in Philadelphia
- Confirm the rule for your exact job on the official page cited above. Size, height, structure and location (historic district, floodplain) can change the answer.
- Choose who applies. Many permits here must be pulled by a licensed contractor; ask any contractor to name the license they will use.
- Apply with the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) through the official department website.
- Schedule inspections as the permit requires, and keep the final approval with your house records.
Recent Philadelphia Fence Permits
| Issued | Address | Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-27 | 1417 N Vogdes St | Sub Demolition Permit for CF-2026-126704. For the complete demolition of a property as part of the City of Philadelphia |
| 2026-10-27 | 4737 Salem St | Sub Demolition Permit for CF-2022-122727. For the complete demolition of a property as part of the City of Philadelphia |
| 2026-10-27 | 515 S 60Th St | Sub Demolition Permit for CF-2026-138560. For the complete demolition of a property as part of the City of Philadelphia |
| 2026-10-27 | 2563 N Stanley St | Sub Demolition Permit for CF-2024-028225. For the complete demolition of a property as part of the City of Philadelphia |
| 2026-10-22 | 2414 W Sergeant St | Sub Demolition Permit for 651026. For the complete demolition of a property as part of the City of Philadelphia Demoliti |
| 2026-10-22 | 1317 Brown St | Sub Demolition Permit for CF-2026-143388. For the complete demolition of a property as part of the City of Philadelphia |
| 2026-10-22 | 2431 N Colorado St | Sub Demolition Permit for CF-2023-079712. For the complete demolition of a property as part of the City of Philadelphia |
| 2026-10-20 | 4325 Wayne Ave | Sub Demolition Permit for CF-2026-135379. For the complete demolition of a property as part of the City of Philadelphia |
| 2026-10-20 | 1827 Judson St | Sub Demolition Permit for CF-2022-090320. For the complete demolition of a property as part of the City of Philadelphia |
| 2026-10-19 | 1808 N Bailey St | Erection of an attach structure (Height NTE 38 Feet) with basement. Rear yard fence (height NTE 6 feet). Size and locati |
Addresses and work descriptions as published by the city. Owner names and phone numbers are removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a fence permit in Philadelphia?
Sometimes. Wood, metal or vinyl fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards need no permit. In front yards, fences over 4 feet (or more than 50% opaque) need a zoning permit, and any fence over 6 feet needs zoning and building permits.
How many fence permits does Philadelphia issue?
Philadelphia issued 331 permits matching fence work between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026, about 28 a month. The busiest month was Jul 2026 with 34.
How much does a fence permit cost in Philadelphia?
We have not yet verified Philadelphia's fee for this work from an official fee schedule, so we do not quote one. The fee is set by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) when you apply.
How long does it take to get a fence permit in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia's open data for these records does not include usable application dates, so we cannot calculate a processing time. Ask the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) for current timelines.
Who issues fence permits in Philadelphia?
The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).
Related Permit Guides
- Philadelphia Roofing Permits
- Philadelphia HVAC Permits
- Philadelphia Deck Permits
- Baltimore Fence Permits
- Chicago Fence Permits
- Fence Permits by City
- Fence Permit Height Limits Compared Across 11 Cities
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- Philadelphia L&I: Get a Fence Permit (linked above) (phila.gov)