Patio rules & permits in Hatfield Township, PA

Zoning permit and setbacks

A patio requires a zoning permit and must respect the lot's property-line setbacks. An accessory structure in the rear yard may not sit within 10 feet of the rear or side property line — confirm how the setback applies to a paved patio for your lot.

Source: Hatfield Township — Permits

Impervious coverage

A patio adds impervious surface, which is capped by zoning district. In the RA-1 Residential District total impervious coverage may not exceed 35% of the lot; other residential districts set their own limit (for example 40% in the B Residential District). Confirm your district's limit before sizing the patio.

Source: Hatfield Township Code, Ch. 8 (Zoning), RA-1 Residential District (eCode360) confirm with township

Call 811 before you dig

Pennsylvania law requires calling PA One Call (dial 811 or visit pa1call.org) at least 3 business days before any digging — including fence post holes — so underground utilities can be marked for free.

Source: Pennsylvania One Call System (PA 811)

Patio permits & impervious coverage (PA UCC + local zoning)

A flat, at-grade patio (concrete, pavers, brick, or stone with no roof and no structural frame) generally does NOT need a Uniform Construction Code building permit — a slab on grade isn't a "structure" under the code. But almost every municipality still requires a zoning permit to check setbacks and, especially, impervious-surface coverage, and many add stormwater requirements for new impervious area.

• Zoning permit: nearly always required so the township can confirm the patio meets property-line setbacks and does not push the lot over its impervious-coverage limit.
• Impervious coverage: a patio adds impervious surface, which is capped as a percentage of the lot by zoning district; going over the cap requires a variance or a smaller/permeable design.
• Stormwater: many townships require stormwater best-management practices once new impervious area passes a threshold (often around 1,000–1,500 sq ft) — permeable pavers or a small infiltration bed can help.
• When a building permit IS needed: a patio becomes permit-worthy if it has a permanent roof or cover (pergola with a solid roof, pavilion), is raised on a structural frame, or includes electrical, gas, or plumbing (an outdoor kitchen or gas fire feature).
• Call 811 before you dig: excavating the gravel base still counts as digging, so PA One Call applies.

Whether a patio is reviewed as a zoning permit or a building permit, and the exact impervious-coverage cap and stormwater threshold, are set locally — confirm both with your township before sizing the patio.

Source: PA Uniform Construction Code — scope of residential building permits

Property lines

You are responsible for building on your own property. If you are not certain where your property line is, find your official plot plan (often included with closing documents), check the county GIS map, or hire a surveyor. Building over the line can mean rebuilding the fence at your own cost.

Easements

Drainage, utility, and access easements commonly cross residential lots. Most townships restrict or prohibit fences in easements, and a utility can remove a fence built in one. Your deed and recorded plot plan show easements.

HOA rules

If your home is in a homeowners association, HOA rules apply on top of township rules and are often stricter (style, color, height, approval process). Get HOA approval in writing before applying for the township permit.

Corner lots and sight triangles

Corner lots usually face extra restrictions near intersections so drivers can see cross traffic ('clear sight triangles'). If you are on a corner, ask the township specifically about street-side fence rules.