Code-compliant pool enclosures built and permitted for Peninsula properties — aluminum, glass, and wood systems installed to California requirements with all inspection coordination handled.
Pool fencing is not optional on the Peninsula — it is a permitted, inspected installation that exists for one reason: to prevent unsupervised access to the water. We build every enclosure to pass inspection and to function as designed for the life of the structure.
California Health and Safety Code Section 115922 requires a compliant barrier around any residential pool or spa — and Peninsula cities enforce this standard at every permit inspection. The code establishes minimum fence height (48 inches measured from the outside), maximum opening sizes (no sphere larger than 4 inches can pass through), self-closing and self-latching gate requirements, and specific rules for latch placement to prevent reach-over access by small children. These are not suggestions — they are the floor. Several Peninsula cities have adopted local amendments that are stricter than state minimums, and we build to those requirements when they apply to your property.
The hardware is where pool fencing most often fails in practice. A gate that is self-closing on installation day but drifts out of adjustment within a year — because the hinges were not specified for the gate weight or the post was not set solidly enough to hold the load — is a compliance and safety failure. We specify hardware rated for the actual gate weight and use frequency, set posts to the correct depth in concrete, and adjust the self-closing mechanism to close firmly from any open position. The latch is positioned and secured so it cannot be defeated by a child reaching over or through the gate. These details are what separate a fence that meets the code on paper from one that actually does its job.
For properties where aesthetics matter as much as compliance — and on the Peninsula they often do — glass panel systems provide a clean, unobstructed view of the pool area while meeting every code requirement. Powder-coated aluminum is the most common choice: durable, corrosion-resistant in pool chemical environments, and available in a range of profiles and colors. Where a wood enclosure fits the property and site conditions support it, we build those as well. Every system we install uses pool-environment rated hardware throughout — standard hardware corrodes quickly in the chemical exposure around a pool deck and we do not use it. For additional perimeter security beyond the pool enclosure itself, see our redwood privacy fencing and ironwork and gate options.
Every material has a place — the right choice depends on your property, your city's codes, and what you are trying to accomplish.
Redwood is native to Northern California — dimensionally stable in coastal humidity, naturally resistant to the conditions that degrade other wood species, and takes finish well. Con-Heart grade is what we specify for structural fence applications — clear of knots, cut from the heartwood, consistent face from board to board.
Board-on-Board is the most popular layout on the Peninsula — alternating boards on both sides of the stringer create full privacy from every angle while allowing airflow. Dog-Ear single-face is a clean traditional look that works well on flat lots and urban properties.
Posts are concrete-set at appropriate depth for your soil and fence height. On rocky or unstable Peninsula soils we use steel post systems that anchor without a full concrete pour. All hardware is hot-dipped galvanized or stainless — standard hardware corrodes fast in coastal air and we do not use it.
Redwood can be left to weather naturally to a silver-gray patina, sealed clear to preserve the warm tone, or finished with a penetrating stain. A properly built redwood fence handles Peninsula conditions with minimal maintenance when finished correctly from the start.
A privacy fence is defined by function — full visual screening from ground to top rail — not by a single material. We build privacy fences in redwood, composite board systems, and vinyl depending on the property and what the owner is after. The layout — Board-on-Board, solid-face, or shadowbox — determines the privacy level and how the fence responds to coastal wind.
Most Peninsula cities allow 6-foot privacy fencing in rear and side yards without a permit. Front yard heights are regulated — typically 3 to 4 feet. Corner lots have additional sight-line rules. We pull every permit required and handle all coordination with your city's building department.
Redwood is the traditional choice and the one we build most often. Composite board systems are a strong alternative where low maintenance is the priority. Vinyl is available but we specify it selectively — it can be problematic on exposed hillside lots with significant wind loading.
Every privacy fence we build can be paired with walk gates, double drive gates, or combination setups — frames built from the same material as the fence, reinforced at the corners, hung on heavy-duty hardware rated for the gate weight.
California Health and Safety Code Section 115922 mandates a compliant barrier around every residential pool and spa. The code requires a minimum 48-inch fence height, maximum 4-inch sphere opening size, and self-closing, self-latching gates that open away from the pool. Latch placement must prevent reach-over access. Several Peninsula cities have adopted stricter local amendments — we identify those at the estimate and build to them.
Pool fencing is most commonly built in powder-coated aluminum (corrosion-resistant in pool chemical environments) or glass panel systems for an unobstructed view. We also build code-compliant wood pool fences where the design and site conditions support it. Every system uses pool-environment rated hardware throughout.
The gate is the most critical safety element of a pool enclosure. It must be self-closing from any open position, self-latching, and it must open away from the pool. We specify hinge and closer hardware rated for the actual gate weight — an undersized closer that drifts out of adjustment is a safety failure. Latch height and configuration are set to code so the gate cannot be defeated by a child reaching over or through.
A pool fence permit is required in every Peninsula city and the inspection is more thorough than a standard fence permit. We handle the application, coordinate with the building department, and schedule the inspection. Our enclosures are built to pass on the first visit.
A significant portion of the Peninsula — particularly the hillside areas of Pacifica, San Bruno, Millbrae, and unincorporated San Mateo County — sits within CAL FIRE High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Fencing is included in the material restrictions. See our dedicated Zone Zero non-combustible fencing page for the full picture.
Non-combustible fencing systems include aluminum, steel, masonry, and specific composite products tested and listed for fire-zone use. We specify and install products that meet California fire code requirements and will clear your city's building department review.
Non-combustible does not mean industrial or plain. Powder-coated aluminum and steel systems are available in a range of profiles and colors that work with both contemporary and traditional Peninsula architecture.
Fire-zone fence permits require material documentation. We maintain the product specs and material certifications for everything we install and include that documentation in the permit package. If you are not sure whether your property is in a fire hazard zone, we can confirm that at the estimate.
The questions we hear most — before the estimate, during the build, and after.
We install redwood and cedar privacy fences, pool safety fences, ornamental iron and steel fences, automatic and manual gates, and non-combustible fencing for WUI and Zone 0 fire hazard zones. We select materials based on your site, HOA rules, and local requirements.
It depends on height, location, and your city. Most Peninsula cities allow fences up to 6 feet in rear and side yards without a permit, but front yard fences and fences near property lines often have stricter rules. We confirm what applies to your specific address at the estimate.
A properly installed redwood or cedar fence typically lasts 15 to 20 years with basic maintenance — occasional cleaning and a coat of sealer every few years. Heart redwood is naturally rot-resistant. Posts set in concrete with proper drainage are the single biggest factor in fence longevity.
Yes. We do partial replacements, post replacements, and section repairs regularly. We’ll assess the existing fence and let you know whether a repair or a full replacement is the better long-term value for your situation.
Zone 0 refers to the immediate 0–5 foot zone around a structure in a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) area. California fire code increasingly requires non-combustible materials in this zone. We install qualifying metal, concrete, and masonry fence systems for properties in Pacifica, Brisbane, and other hillside Peninsula cities subject to these regulations.
Yes. We install slide gates, swing gates, and driveway entry systems with electric operators. We handle the ironwork, the motor installation, and the wiring rough-in. For low-voltage and smart-home integration we coordinate with your electrician or can recommend one.
This varies by city and zoning. In most cases a fence can be built directly on the property line, but setback rules and neighbor consent requirements differ. We help you understand what’s allowed before the project starts so there are no disputes after.
Free estimates on all fencing, decking, hardscape, and custom build projects across the Peninsula.
