Yardley Fence Company

Figuring out your fence installation cost in Yardley, PA, or Lower Makefield Township means looking at several key elements, as exact prices only come from on-site quotes from local fence contractors. This guide outlines the main things that will influence your final expense, how estimators calculate these costs, and provides some very general price ideas; remember, these are not a substitute for professional estimates.

What Primarily Drives Your Fence Cost in Yardley & Lower Makefield?

The total cost of your new fence will depend heavily on:

• Your Fence Choices:
  
  

  • Fencing Material: This is a big one. Wood fences (like cedar or pressure-treated pine) have a different price point than vinyl (PVC) fences, aluminum fences, low-maintenance composite fencing, or budget friendly chain link fences. Each material (e.g., picket fence material vs. privacy fence material) has its own cost per linear foot.

  • Fence Design & Size: The length of the fence line, its desired height (e.g., 4-foot vs. 6-foot), and the complexity of the style (a simple post and rail fence versus an intricate shadowbox fence or one with decorative post caps) directly impact material needs and labor.

  • Gates: The number, size, style, and hardware for any walk gates or driveway gates add to the cost.

• Your Property's Specifics:
  
  

  • Site Conditions: The terrain of your property matters. A flat, clear yard is easier (and cheaper) to work on than a sloped, rocky, or heavily wooded area requiring significant site preparation, grading, or brush clearing.

  • Old Fence Removal: If an existing fence needs to be dismantled and hauled away, this will add to the installation cost.

  • Accessibility: Can work crews and equipment easily reach the fence line? Tight spaces increase labor costs.

• Local Labor & Regulations:
  
  

  • Labor Rates: The cost of skilled fence installers in the Yardley/Lower Makefield/Bucks County area will be built into the quote.

  • Permits: Both Yardley Borough and Lower Makefield Township require permits for most fence construction. You'll need to factor in the permit fee and ensure your project meets all local zoning ordinances regarding fence height, setbacks from property lines, and approved materials.

    • Contact Yardley Borough Hall for properties within the borough.

    • Contact Lower Makefield Township Planning & Zoning (1100 Edgewood Road, Yardley, PA) for properties in the township.

How Contractors Determine Your Actual Price:

A fence company can't give you a real price over the phone. They need to:

1. Visit Your Property: To accurately measure the fence line, assess the terrain and access, and discuss your specific needs and material preferences.

2. Calculate Materials: Based on the measurements and your choices, they'll figure out the exact amount of fencing panels, posts, concrete, gates, and hardware needed.

3. Estimate Labor: They'll estimate the time and manpower required for site preparation, digging post holes, setting posts, installing the fence sections and gates, and cleanup.

4. Provide a Written Quote: This detailed estimate will break down the costs for materials and labor, and should include information on permits and their project timeline.

Sample Cost Ideas (Use with Caution!):

The following are very general estimated ranges per linear foot, based on broader regional data for Southeastern Pennsylvania. These are for illustrative purposes ONLY and may not reflect actual current pricing in Yardley or Lower Makefield Township. Material and labor costs fluctuate, and every project is unique.

• Chain Link Fence (4 ft. to 6 ft. high): $25 - $54 per linear foot

• Wood Fence (e.g., Pine Picket, 4 ft. high): $31 - $68 per linear foot

• Wood Fence (e.g., Cedar Privacy, 6 ft. high): $44 - $101 per linear foot

• Vinyl Fence (PVC Privacy, 6 ft. high): $45 - $93 per linear foot

• Aluminum Fence (4 ft. to 5 ft. high, standard style): $62 - $122 per linear foot

Bottom Line for Your Fence Project: To find out the actual cost to install your fence in Yardley, PA, or Lower Makefield Township, call (267) 399-5930 for an estimate from a licensed and insured local fence contractor. 

Alright, let's talk fences in Yardley Borough. Thinking of putting one up? Smart move to get the lay of the land first.

Good news upfront: if you hire a fence contractor, they usually take care of getting the permits, which can be a big help. And just a heads-up, if your home is part of an HOA (Homeowners Association), they probably have their own fence guidelines, so definitely check in with them too.

So, about those Borough permits – do I need one?

Yep, you almost certainly will. Yardley Borough's rules mean you usually need a permit to put up a new fence. The best thing to do is give the Borough's Building & Zoning office a call. They’ll walk you through exactly what forms you need.

How high can I go with my fence?

Generally, for homes, your fence or wall can't be taller than six feet. But there are a couple of things to know:

• Front Yards: Out front, the rules are a bit tighter. Fences or walls in the required front yard area typically need to stay at five feet or less.

• Pool Fences: If you're fencing in a swimming pool, it needs to be at least four feet high, but no more than six feet. Plus, it absolutely has to have a gate that locks itself and be built so kids and pets can't just wander through.

Where on my property can the fence go?

Usually, the standard rules about how far things need to be from your property line don't apply to fences or walls that are six feet tall or less. The big thing, though, is making absolutely sure your fence is on your property. Nobody wants any trouble with neighbors or an "ugly fence" situation. If there’s a dispute, the Zoning Hearing Board might have to step in. So, being clear on your property lines is super important.

What materials are okay to use?

You won't find a specific "yes, use this" or "no, don't use that" list of materials in the official Borough rules for every kind of fence. For pool fences, the Zoning Officer does need to sign off on the "type, quality and method of construction" to make sure it’s safe. For any fence, really, it just needs to be built well and you’ve got to keep it looking good. You’ll see a lot of wood, vinyl, and aluminum fences around Yardley, so those are pretty standard and generally fine. If you have a particular material in mind, it’s a good idea to just ask the Zoning Officer.

Who should I call at the Borough for this stuff?

To get the real scoop and all the official details, you’ll want to talk to the folks at Yardley Borough:

• Zoning and Planning Office: Caitlin Mest (who is with Barry Isett & Associates) - Phone: 610-723-7727 (you'll need an appointment).

• Building Inspection Office/Building Code Official: Jeff Mahon (also with Barry Isett & Associates) - Phone: 215-493-2960. For inspections, you can also call 610-723-7719.

• Yardley Borough Main Office: Located at 56 South Main Street, Yardley, PA. Their number is 215-493-6832.

Where can I look this up myself online?

• Yardley Borough eCode360: This is the online spot for the Borough's official ordinances. You can search for "fences" or check out specific parts like § 27-602 (which covers Fences, Walls, and Private Swimming Pools) and § 27-944 (for Front Yard Fences and Terraces).

  • Accessory Uses (like fences): https://ecode360.com/44167493

  • Front Yards: https://ecode360.com/44168036

• Yardley Borough Contact Pages:

  • https://www.yardleyboro.org/contact-main

• Yardley Borough PA UCC Construction Permit Application: This is a general permit form.

  • https://yardleyborough.squarespace.com/s/2024-Yardley-UCC-Permit-Application.pdf

If you're planning to put up a fence, it’s a good idea to get familiar with the zoning regulations in Lower Makefield Township. And just a heads-up, if you hire a fence contractor, they'll usually take care of pulling the necessary permits, which can save you a step. Also, remember that if you live in a community with a Homeowners Association (HOA), they might have their own set of rules for fences, so you’ll want to check with them too.

Do I need a permit for a fence?

Yes, in Lower Makefield Township, you generally need a permit to install a new fence or to make significant repairs to an existing one. According to the Township's "General Instructions for Permit Applications," permits are required for fences. The fee schedule for 2024 lists a $75 fee for a fence permit for single-family homes (ICC Use Groups R-3 & R-4) and $150 for all other ICC Use Groups.

You can apply for permits online through the Township's Online Permitting & Citizen Requests Portal.

How high can my fence be?

Here are the maximum fence heights allowed in Lower Makefield Township under the current zoning and permit regulations:

• Residential front-yard fences (including street-facing yards): up to 3 feet high.

• Residential side- and rear-yard fences: up to 7 feet high.

• Non-residential fences: up to 8 feet high.

• Fences surrounding a tennis court: up to 10 feet high.

• Corner-lot exception: front-yard fences to the side and rear of the house may be raised to 7 feet provided they are set back 3 feet from the right-of-way line for each foot over 3 feet.

Additional requirements:

• No fence or wall may be located in a public right-of-way, easement (except a buffer easement), or required sight triangle, nor directly on a property line.

• Fences less than 7 feet tall require zoning review & permit; fences 7 feet or taller require a PA UCC building permit.

Where can I put my fence?

Under Lower Makefield Township’s Zoning Ordinance and the General Permit Instructions fences must be located as follows:

• On private property only – your fence must be entirely on your lot; you may not place posts or panels in any public right-of-way, or in any easement (other than a buffer easement where expressly allowed).

• Outside required sight triangles – do not install within the 10-ft sight triangle measured from driveway edges or street intersections.

• Set back from property lines – fences cannot be built directly on the lot line; your site plan must show the offset distance from each property boundary.

• Behind the district setback line – any fence must also comply with your zoning district’s minimum yard setbacks (front, side, and rear), i.e. erected on or behind the building setback line.

• Allowed in front, side, and rear yards – subject to the height limits for each yard (e.g., 3 ft in front yards, 7 ft in side/rear yards) and any corner-lot special-setback provisions.

If you need to install within a buffer easement or other restricted area, you’ll require written permission from the easement holder (and any HOA), and that approval must accompany your permit application. If you’re unsure of your exact setbacks or easements, you can request a survey or property plan from the Township prior to applying.

What kind of materials can I use for my fence?

Under Lower Makefield Township’s permit requirements, there is no closed list of “approved” fence materials. All typical residential fence materials are acceptable so long as you submit the manufacturer’s specifications and they meet the Township’s general design standards. Specifically:

• Any conventional material (wood — e.g. pressure-treated, cedar, redwood; vinyl; aluminum or ornamental metal; chain-link; composite; etc.) may be used, provided you include the proposed fence style and material on your permit site plan and upload the manufacturer’s specifications.

• Floodplain fences must not obstruct water flow. If you’re fencing within a mapped floodplain, a post-and-rail design with wire-mesh infill is required.

• Spite fences (i.e. erected solely to annoy a neighbor) are expressly prohibited.

• Swimming-pool enclosures must comply with the PA Uniform Construction Code:

  • Minimum 4 ft height with a self-latching, self-closing gate of a sturdy material.

  • Openings no larger than ½ in within 18 in of the latch.

  • Fence style that “does not encourage climbing,” such as metal-mesh (openings ≤ 2¼ in) or vertical-baluster (openings ≤ 4 in)

Who should I contact with questions?

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it's always best to get in touch with the Lower Makefield Township officials directly.

The Community Development Department handles zoning and permits.

• Phone: You can find a directory on the Township website, but a general line for the Township office is 267-274-1100. The Permit Administrator can be reached at 267-274-1126.

• Email: permits@lmt.org

• Address: 1100 Edgewood Road, Yardley, PA 19067

• Website: www.lmt.org

References:

• Lower Makefield Township - General Instructions for Permit Applications

• Lower Makefield Township - 2024 Schedule of Fees and Charges