How to Choose the Right Fence Height

Fence height should match its purpose, and local rules set limits. Here is how to choose the right height for privacy, boundaries, pools, pets, and deer.

Match the height to the job

The right fence height starts with what the fence is for. Full privacy usually calls for six feet. A decorative boundary or a front yard accent often looks best at three to four feet. Keeping deer out takes seven to eight feet. Pool fencing has its own code minimum, and containing a dog depends on whether your dog is a jumper. There is no single right height, only the right height for your goal.

Many properties end up with more than one height, a taller privacy section by the patio and a lower boundary line along the drive.

The rules that cap height

Height is not entirely your choice. Local ordinances and HOA rules often limit how tall a fence can be, and the limit is frequently lower in a front yard than in the back. Corner lots may also have sight triangle rules near intersections for driver visibility.

We check the rules for your specific address before we build, so your fence is compliant and you never face a costly order to lower or move it.

Our approach

When we walk your property, we talk through what you want the fence to accomplish and then recommend a height that meets your goal and fits the rules. If your goals and the code seem to conflict, we will find the best workable solution, whether that is a design change, a permit, or an HOA submission.

The result is a fence that does its job and looks intentional, at a height that will not cause problems down the road.

Frequently Asked Questions