Zoning

A MESSAGE FROM THE FOX CHASE HOMEOWNERS PRESIDENT REGARDING ZONING NOTICES

The bright orange notices you see posted outside a home or business are there to warn neighbors of a project that current zoning does not allow. They are not building permits. Please don’t feel shy about approaching, reading, and understanding the request. They are made to be conspicuous just for this purpose.

A ZONING NOTICE requires immediate attention because owners are only required to post them 12 days prior to a zoning hearing. Some variances may be for the legalization of an old improvement or for a minor change. Others can have a serious effect on your quality of life. Variances in commercial areas or changes to multi family housing can have a big impact.

Regardless of the extent of the request, the Fox Chase Homeowners Association would like to know about them. Please call the Homeowners at 215 722-3352 or e-mail us

whenever, and as soon as you see a ZONING NOTICE.

A ZONING VARIANACE can change the character of our neighborhood by the inappropriate or overuse of a property. Watch out!

DON’T FENCE ME IN

One of the things that we are seeing more and more of is fencing that violates the zoning code. This is all the more apparent because of the new bright white vinyl fencing that is being sold. The Philadelphia Zoning Code limits the height of front yard fencing to 3 ½ feet. This means that any fence between your front door and the sidewalk cannot exceed 42inches. On corner properties the side of your home facing the street is also considered a front yard. The code there states that high or “privacy” type fencing cannot be closer to the sidewalk than the greater of the building setback (generally 25feet) or the building itself.

By the way, side and rear yard fencing height is

restricted to 5 ½ feet maximum.(?)

All fencing contractors should know this, and even though you may see this elsewhere, the City can make you remove an illegal fence if they become aware of it.