Fences should be no higher than four (4) feet if located in the front yard nor six (6) feet if located in the side or rear yards. Height requirements will vary if you live on a corner lot or on a lot with a double frontage.

Contact us for more information. While fences may be placed directly on your property line, residents are encouraged to speak first with their neighbor to make sure maintenance of the other side of the fence is not going to be a problem. A zoning certificate is not required for a fence. Montgomery County requires a building permit if you are planning to construct a concrete wall. It is recommended that you have your property surveyed prior to installing your fence. There are several qualified licensed surveyors listed in the yellow pages.

In order to assure that pools meet proper setbacks and fencing, the township requires zoning certificates for all swimming pools. A building permit from Montgomery County is also required. Pools must have a minimum four foot high fence around them, and all gates must have an operable lock.

The most important consideration is making sure that the proposed structure meets setback requirements. Depending on the zoning district in which you live, required setbacks could be as little as five feet from the back property line or as large as 40 feet from the side property line. Zoning approval is required for any structure greater than 200 square feet. If a permanent foundation or footer is used, a zoning certificate is required. In addition, residents who are contemplating adding a shed should contact Montgomery County at 225-4622 to see if a building permit is required.

If a neighbor's property becomes overgrown (weeds and grasses higher than 8 inches) or if debris is strewn about the yard, Development Services can probably help resolve the situation. Call us to report a violation and you can remain anonymous. Our department will ask the property owner to mow the lawn and/or pick up the trash. For those unwilling to comply, the township hires a contractor to do the work and assesses the property tax.

Washington Township does not permit offsite garage sale signs. Offsite signs found on street corners, stop signs, phone poles and the like will be removed and kept for ten (10) days at the development services offices. If you wish to claim a sign, visit the office during regular business hours, and call ahead so that we can have it ready for you. Unclaimed signs are discarded after two weeks.

All commercial signs, both permanent and temporary, require a zoning certificate. No offsite advertising is permitted (including directional signs for open house), and changeable copy signs are only allowed by schools and churches.

Montgomery County has authority concerning flood plains. However, Washington Township can provide you with copies of the FEMA flood maps. The maps are used by most mortgage companies to determine if a particular lot lies within the flood plain.

Although state law prohibits townships from working on private property, we will be glad to meet with you and discuss possible solutions to your drainage problems. Sump pump drains are allowed to be connected to the storm sewer, but NOT to the sanitary sewer. The township prohibits sump pump or downspout lines from discharging directly onto the sidewalk or into the street.

Montgomery County issues a building permit upon presentation of a zoning certificate from Washington Township. The zoning certificate verifies that the proposed building meets setback requirements and land use plans. Washington Township inspects only the location of the footer before it is poured, and the driveway approach to the lot, also before it is poured. Footer, drive and sidewalk inspections should be scheduled 24 hours in advance by calling 433-0796. Montgomery County Building Inspection (225-4622) performs electrical, plumbing and structural building inspections.