Before building your fence in Washington Township, make sure you know the local zoning regulations. Check the rules about visibility near intersections. Also, see how rights‑of‑way (ROW) may affect your fence placement. The township’s rules cover fences, walls, and hedges. They say fences must not block sight lines at corners and must be on private property, not in public ROW. Many homeowners hire trained contractors to understand these rules. A good plan helps avoid rework and neighbor disputes.

Fence rules at a glance: heights, setbacks, and visibility basics

• Fences should be on private property and not in the public right-of-way. Also, avoid obstructions like hedges that block visibility at street intersections. These rules aid in clear visibility for drivers and pedestrians.
• Corner lots have special rules called visibility triangle or sight triangle rules. No fence or barrier can block visibility in these triangles. Check the local code for triangle sizes and height limits before building a fence on a corner lot.

How do yard definitions affect fence placement?

• Yard types include the front, side, and rear yards. These define where structures and obstructions can go under zoning rules. Knowing which yard a fence segment is in helps determine the applicable standards and visibility rules. Use the Township’s definitions and diagrams to label lot areas before designing.
• On corner lots, the main street and the side street add limits through sight triangles; fences and plantings that block views in those triangles are not allowed, no matter the yard type. This safety rule helps drivers and walkers see each other.
• As you label each yard segment, also consider Washington Township’s soil conditions for fencing, because softer soils near drainage swales can affect post spacing and stability.

What is the visibility triangle on corner lots?

• The Township has rules about visibility at intersections. These rules say that fences, walls, shrubs, and similar objects cannot block the view. This is especially true in the sight triangles, which are the two areas at each corner of an intersection. The rules help maintain clear visibility and safety for everyone. This applies to corner lots because blocked views at intersections are risky.
• Since sight-triangle shapes are based on measured distances from the rights-of-way, double-check the size and position on your survey or site plan before staking the fence. If the distances aren’t precise on old surveys, a licensed expert can draw the triangle on a current map for review.

Why Washington Township permits, surveys, and site plans matter for fences

• The Township handles zoning and development approvals. Projects must follow the municipal code before starting work. The Development Services pages explain the process, the roles of different departments, and how to contact them. If fences do not comply with the rules for placement or visibility, compliance or enforcement actions may be taken.
• Our expert advice: Submit a current survey and a simple site sketch. Show your proposed fence line relative to property lines, rights-of-way, and corner-lot sight triangles. Even if not listed on the checklist, these documents help reviewers check compliance and avoid issues..

How to confirm your property line before installing a fence

• Fences must be within your private property boundaries, rather than in public rights-of-way. Before building, check your boundaries carefully. This helps prevent any encroachment or enforcement actions. Also, compare your recorded survey with the actual site conditions. Make sure that the corners and lines match for a smooth process.
• Our expert advice: If the pins or monuments are missing or unclear, it's a good idea to hire a licensed land surveyor in New Jersey. They can reset the corners and mark the lines accurately. Make sure to take photos and notes of how you set the alignment. This way, if questions come up later—during reviews or from neighbors—you'll have clear evidence of your work.

“Finished side out” and design standards you should know

• Many towns in New Jersey have rules called "finished side out." These rules mean you can't have dangerous materials like barbed wire on your fence or in your home. When planning your fence, especially if it faces a street or a neighbor, check rules about fences and obstructions. If you need to finish the fence in a certain direction, make sure to turn the posts and rails the right way.
• Our expert advice: If you're walking along busy streets, choose materials and upkeep plans that keep things safe and easy to see through. Try to avoid chain link fences if local rules for commercial frontages don’t allow them. Before making your choice, check any specific frontage rules in your zoning district to stay compliant.

Common compliance issues—and how to avoid them

• Common problems include building into a public right‑of‑way, blocking a sight triangle at an intersection, or installing without a review to confirm compliance. These can lead to correction under code enforcement. A quick pre‑check against the Township code can prevent these issues.
• Our expert advice: Label yards using Township definitions, draw the survey with any sight‑triangle lines for corner lots, and confirm all fence segments stay on private property. If any part sits close to a ROW or triangle, ask zoning staff before construction to avoid rework.

Working with neighbors on shared fence lines

• Neighbors can’t give permission to build in a public right-of-way or break sight-triangle rules. Township standards still apply, so it's best to follow them. To stay safe, keep your fence fully on your property.
• Our expert advice: share your survey and proposed line with neighbors before you build, write down any maintenance plans, and keep records. This reduces the risk of confusion without compromising code compliance.

Where to get help near Gloucester County

• Many homeowners rely on contractors and design pros to create a clear site plan. This is because different parts of the process—like fence placement, definitions, and visibility triangles—must work together. When the site is tricky, such as on corner lots or with unusual frontage, checking Township resources can help confirm the right steps before starting work.
• Check the Township’s eCode pages for rules about fences, obstructions, and visibility standards. If you need help with the next steps for submitting your plans, contact Development Services. They can also point you to department contacts and upcoming meetings. Reach out if you need guidance or want to discuss a variance.

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