Cost Guide · Updated October 2026
Fence Installation
Cost in California
A new wood or vinyl fence costs $20 to $60 per linear foot installed, about $4,000 to $12,000 for a typical 200-foot fence. In California, your neighbor is presumed to share the cost of a boundary fence.
$20–$60
Per linear ft, wood or vinyl
$4k–$12k
Typical 200 ft fence
50 / 50
Presumed neighbor split, Civil Code 841
60 in
Minimum pool fence height
How Much Does a New Fence Cost?
A new wood or vinyl fence costs $20 to $60 per linear foot installed, according to HomeGuide, so a typical 200-foot fence runs about $4,000 to $12,000. Replacing an existing fence costs more, $30 to $80 per linear foot, because the old fence has to come out first.
Fences are priced by the linear foot along the fence line, not by area. Height, material, gates, slope and hard ground all move the price, and California labor rates push most quotes toward the upper half of each range.
| Fence length | Wood or vinyl, installed |
|---|---|
| 50 linear ft | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| 100 linear ft | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| 150 linear ft | $3,000 – $9,000 |
| 200 linear ft | $4,000 – $12,000 |
| 300 linear ft | $6,000 – $18,000 |
| 500 linear ft | $10,000 – $30,000 |
Source: HomeGuide fence installation cost, February 2026.
Fence Cost by Material
All prices are installed, per linear foot of fence.
| Material | Installed / linear ft | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Chain-link | $9 – $30 | Cheapest; no privacy |
| Wood | $20 – $50 | Classic look; needs staining or sealing |
| Composite | $20 – $85 | Wood look with less upkeep |
| Aluminum | $25 – $75 | Common for pool enclosures |
| Vinyl | $30 – $60 | No annual sealing; prefabricated panels |
| Wrought iron | $50 – $85 | Ornamental and long-lasting |
Source: HomeGuide fence installation cost (February 2026); wrought iron from HomeGuide wrought iron fence (February 2026).
Fence Cost by Height and Style
A taller privacy fence uses more material and heavier posts, so the price per foot climbs quickly from 6 to 8 feet.
| Style | Wood / linear ft | Vinyl / linear ft |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ft privacy | $25 – $50 | $40 – $60 |
| 8 ft privacy | $50 – $75 | $60 – $85 |
| Picket (3–5 ft) | $20 – $40 | $30 – $45 |
| Split rail | $15 – $35 | $15 – $30 |
Gates are priced separately: a vinyl gate costs $150 to $780 installed, and an automatic wrought iron driveway gate for a single car $4,000 to $6,000.
Sources: HomeGuide wood fence and HomeGuide vinyl fence (December 2025), HomeGuide wrought iron fence (February 2026).
Does Your Neighbor Pay Half? California's Fence Law
Often, yes. California Civil Code 841 presumes that neighbors benefit equally from a fence on their shared boundary and are equally responsible for the reasonable cost of building, maintaining or replacing it, unless they agreed otherwise in writing.
- Give 30 days' written notice to each affected neighbor before you spend money on the fence, and include the presumption of equal responsibility.
- It covers boundary fences only. A fence built entirely on your own land is your cost.
- The split can change. A court can order a smaller share, or none, if equal sharing would be unjust, for example when the cost far outweighs the benefit to the neighbor.
In practice, share a written plan with the description, estimate and proposed split, and keep proof that you sent it. Read the statute: Civil Code 841. This is general information, not legal advice.
Pool Fence Requirements in California
If the fence is meant to count as a pool enclosure, it has to meet California Health and Safety Code 115923:
- At least 60 inches tall.
- Gates open away from the pool and close and latch on their own, with the latch at least 60 inches above the ground.
- No more than 2 inches between the ground and the bottom of the fence.
- No gap or opening that a 4-inch sphere can pass through.
- No handholds or footholds on the outside that a young child could climb.
An enclosure is one of the drowning-prevention features California requires on new residential pools. HomeGuide puts a pool fence at $10 to $45 per linear foot installed. See our pool cost guide for the full picture. Statute: Health and Safety Code 115923.
Fence Permits and Height Limits
Height limits, front-yard rules and permit triggers are set by your city, so check before you build. Tall fences, masonry walls and fences that also hold back soil are the ones most likely to need a permit or an engineer. If you live in an HOA community, get its approval on height, material and color as well.
How a Fence Project Works
Measure and check the rules
Measure the fence line in linear feet, confirm the property line, and check your city's height limits and any HOA rules.
Talk to the neighbor
For a shared boundary fence, give 30 days' written notice under Civil Code 841 and agree on the design and cost split.
Get itemized quotes
Ask for removal of the old fence, posts, panels, gates, hardware and permits as separate lines.
Install and inspect
Posts are set, panels and gates are hung, and any required inspection is completed.
Common Questions
Fence FAQ
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