Jeff Beneke - How to Build a Fence: Plan and Build Basic Fences and Gates. A Storey BASICS® Title

For Molly, Erica, and Kathryn. My inspiration. My hopes. My heroes.

The 3-foot-high grape-stake fencing that lines my property is showing its age. On one side, the fence has been overwhelmed by a neighbors newer, higher, and more solid privacy fence.

In back, the same fencing separates our yard from an apple orchard. The small gate has completely fallen over, and deer, raccoons, humans, and other creatures pass through without a thought.

My fence, in other words, might easily be viewed as a very poor example of the type of fencing this book seeks to help you design, build, and maintain. It is largely useless and mostly overlooked and can barely stand on its own any more. You, to the contrary, want a fence that serves a vital function, looks great, and can be expected to be standing strong years from now.

That, at any rate, is one way of looking at it. Heres another: I like my fence. It, like my house, is nearing 70 years of age, and, also like the house, it was built with a high level of quality and integrity. The hundreds of hand-split redwood stakes that define the fence are, for the most part, still solid and free of rot.

The woods well-earned patina wrinkles, pockmarks, and all exudes the sense of pride that living a long, healthy life commands. Once Ive finished remodeling the interior of the house, Ill turn my attention to that old fence. Ill remove parts of it and reuse some of the stakes for garden fencing.

And if I decide I really have no use for the rest of the other stakes, Ill sell them. Good quality grape stakes are much in demand here in California wine country. My old fence embodies the essence of sustainable building practices no landfills required. The next time I build a new fence, its a lesson that will drive my design.

The planning and design phase of fence building involves much more than choosing a style, materials, and decorative elements. There are laws to satisfy (not to mention neighbors and homeowner association boards), as well as numerous design considerations, both practical and aesthetic. Many of your decisions will hinge on your answers to two big questions: 1) Why are you building the fence? and 2) How will the fence affect the look, the function, and the feel of your home and landscape? When youre ready to take your ideas from the drawing board to the ground, a few simple layout techniques will help you get it right.

Fences often are subject to strict legal definitions and restrictions. Building codes, zoning ordinances, and homeowners associations may specify whether or not you can build a fence at all, what style of fence you can build, how high the fence can be, and how far it must be kept from a property line or street.

Start your research at your local building department, typically an office of city government. Many city websites include checklists that outline the basic rules and restrictions for fences, as well as what types of projects need permits. In addition, its also a good idea to talk with a department official to confirm that your fence plan meets all requirements even if youre confident you wont need a permit. Be prepared to explain the fence in detail and where you want to build it (how close to the neighbors property, sidewalks, streets, and so forth). Your local building code may have minimal requirements other than those mentioned in this book.

You should also make preparations to have your property marked for underground electrical, plumbing, and other service lines. (See .)

If your fence project needs a building permit, your local building department will provide you with details for obtaining one. Be sure to find out what information you need to submit to the building department, how much the permit will cost, how long you are likely to have to wait to get it, and at what stage or stages you will need to have the fence inspected. If you plan to take your time building the fence, you should also ask how long the permit will remain valid; most permits are valid for no more than 1 year.

Most zoning laws relate to property lines and property use, both of which can affect your fence design. Common restrictions include a 3-foot height limit on fences facing the street and a 6-foot limit on side and backyard fences. Another restriction is the setback. Often, you cant build a fence right up to the edge of your property line. Instead, you must set it back several feet from the line.

A minor setback. Even though you own the property out to the property line, you may not be allowed to add new construction beyond the setback line.

When a Fence Is Not a Fence

If you run into a code or zoning problem with a fence project, its worthwhile finding out exactly what the relevant board considers to be a fence. You may find that a fence is defined as something that is built, and not something that is planted. If you are prohibited from building a fence high enough to suit your needs, you may still be allowed to plant a hedgerow or some trees that can meet the height you need. Such a living fence offers little security and wont corral animals, but it can be an effective privacy screen. And neighbors might be much less offended by some shrubbery than by a solid fence. Hedgerows can be created with trimmed shrubs, ornamental grasses, small evergreen trees, even living bamboo.

Another potential solution for building a fence higher than allowed is to offer to use a more transparent material, such as metal or lattice, on top of the solid lower portion of fencing.

A high, solid fence or wall (left) may not be allowed by local code, but you might be able to achieve the same effect by building a shorter fence and topping it with lattice (right) or vines.

Variances

If you want to build a fence 20 feet from the street, but a zoning law says it must be at least 30 feet away, you can apply for a variance (special permission to build something that violates existing requirements). Dont hesitate to apply for one if you feel you have a legitimate argument, and be prepared to do some research and present a good case.

Take the time to understand the law and learn why your fence might not follow it. If the issue is public safety, such as with fences on corner lots restricting traffic visibility, you probably wont win your case. On the other hand, if you want to build a privacy fence to block an unpleasant view but the view is uphill from the fence location, you might be able to successfully argue that a height limit of 6 feet is too restrictive for your needs.

Easements

An easement defines the rights of parties other than the property owner to use the property for specific purposes. For example, utility companies may have a right to drive their trucks through your property to tend to repairs. Shared driveway arrangements between adjoining properties are other protected areas.

Easements typically are noted in title reports (ask your title insurance company for a copy if you dont have one), and its the homeowners obligation to know about them. A fence that violates an easement may have to be taken down at the owners expense. If you have any concerns about easements, it might be wise to discuss the matter with a real estate attorney.