Residential Fencing in San Antonio, TX: Book Your Free Estimate Today
Alamo Decks & Fence installs residential fencing in San Antonio and across Bexar County. We build wood, iron, chain link, split rail, and pool fences, plus custom gates.
Prices start at $28 per linear foot for chain link. Cedar privacy starts at $33 per foot, installed.
This page compares every fence we build. Use it to narrow your choice. Then open the page for the fence you want.
Call (210) 320-2138 or request your free fence estimate online.
Residential Fence Types We Install in San Antonio
Start with one question. What do you need this fence to do? Privacy, pets, a pool, a view, or a property line each point to a different material.
Here is what we build and where each one fits.
Wood Fences
Wood is the fence we build most on San Antonio homes. We use Western Red Cedar pickets in #2 grade, milled in the United States. Cedar resists bugs and rot on its own. Stain it, paint it, or let it weather gray.
We set posts in pressure-treated Southern Yellow Pine or galvanized steel. Steel posts cost $2 more per foot and do not rot at the ground line.
We also stain and seal wood fences. A good sealer shields cedar from the San Antonio sun, which dries boards and fades color fast. We match the stain color to your home’s trim or siding.
Styles include side-by-side, board-on-board, shadowbox, and horizontal slat. See every option on our wood fence installation page.
Privacy Fences
A privacy fence is a solid 6-foot fence, usually cedar. It blocks the view from the street and cuts road noise. It also keeps kids and dogs in the yard.
Six feet is the norm here for a reason. City code caps side and rear yard fences at that height.
Our privacy fence page for San Antonio homes covers styles, height exceptions, and HOA rules in depth.
Wood Fence Gallery
Ornamental Iron and Aluminum Fences
Iron keeps people out without blocking your view. Most “iron” fencing sold today is galvanized steel with a powder coat. Aluminum looks the same from the curb and never rusts.
Iron also has a code edge most homeowners miss. In a front yard, the city lets an open fence reach 5 feet. A solid wood fence stops at 3 feet in the same spot.
Compare steel, aluminum, cast iron, and true wrought iron on our ornamental iron fencing page.
Chain Link Fences
Chain link is the cheapest way to fence a big yard. Our home grade uses 11.5-gauge galvanized mesh on 16-gauge steel posts. It holds dogs and needs almost no upkeep.
Want more screening? Slats and privacy screens close the gaps. Our guide to adding privacy to a chain link fence compares the options. Full specs live on the chain link fence page.
Chain Link Fence Gallery
Split Rail Fences
Split rail marks a property line without boxing it in. Each post holds two, three, or four rails with open space between. It fits acreage, Hill Country lots, and long front-yard runs.
Add wire mesh on the inside and a split rail fence holds dogs too. Learn more about split rail fence installation for larger lots.
Pool Fences
A pool fence has one job. It must keep small children away from the water. San Antonio checks the barrier at the pool’s final inspection. Iron, aluminum, and gap-free wood all pass when built to code.
Our code-ready pool fence page walks through heights, gate latches, and door alarms.
Custom Fences and Gates
Some yards need something off the standard list. We build mixed-material fences, stepped runs on slopes, and fences that match your home’s style. Start with our custom fence installation services.
For driveways, we build steel swing and slide gates. The frames are ready for an opener. See custom metal driveway gates for designs.
Vinyl Fences
Vinyl does not rot and never needs stain. It costs more than cedar up front and almost nothing after. We quote vinyl on request, so ask about it at your estimate.
Residential Fence Cost Comparison by Type
These are our published installed prices for San Antonio homes. Gates are priced each. Your final number depends on length, gates, slope, and soil.
| Fence type | Installed price | Privacy | Upkeep | Pool barrier ready? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar privacy, wood posts | $33/ft | Full | Stain or seal periodically | Yes, with code gates | Backyard privacy on a budget |
| Cedar privacy, galvanized posts | $35/ft | Full | Stain or seal periodically | Yes, with code gates | Privacy that resists leaning |
| Horizontal slat cedar | $125/ft | Full | Stain or seal periodically | Yes, with code gates | Modern homes |
| Ornamental iron, 4 ft | $50 to $54/ft | None | Annual wash, touch up chips | Yes, with code gates | Front yards, pools, views |
| Ornamental iron, 6 ft | $55 to $59/ft | None | Annual wash, touch up chips | Yes, with code gates | Security with a view |
| Chain link, 4 ft | $28/ft | None | Very low | No, mesh too wide | Pets and large yards |
| Chain link, 6 ft | $30/ft | Low, slats add more | Very low | No, mesh too wide | Budget perimeter |
| Split rail | Quoted on site | None | Low | No | Acreage and borders |
| Vinyl | Quoted on request | Full | Very low | Yes, with code gates | Low-upkeep privacy |
Gate Prices
- Wood walk gate: $450 each
- Horizontal cedar walk gate: $950 each
- Chain link walk gate, 4 ft or 6 ft: $695 each
- Iron walk gate: $695 for 4 ft, $850 for 6 ft
- Cedar cap and trim: $17 per foot for 2×6, $19.50 per foot for 2×8
What 150 Feet Costs
Say your backyard needs 150 feet of fence. Here is what that costs at our published rates, before gates.
| Fence | 150 ft total |
|---|---|
| Chain link, 4 ft | $4,200 |
| Chain link, 6 ft | $4,500 |
| Cedar privacy, wood posts | $4,950 |
| Cedar privacy, galvanized posts | $5,250 |
| Ornamental iron, 4 ft, 2-rail | $7,500 |
| Ornamental iron, 6 ft, 3-rail | $8,850 |
Three site conditions push the price up. Lots north of Loop 1604 often sit on shallow limestone, so posts need rock drilling. Sloped yards need stepped panels.
Tearing out an old fence also adds labor and haul-off.
Need to spread the cost? See our fence financing options.
How to Choose the Right Fence for Your Home
Match the fence to the problem you want solved. Here is the short version.
- You want privacy. Choose cedar board-on-board or shadowbox at 6 feet. Pick galvanized posts if you plan to stay long term.
- You have dogs. Chain link or cedar both work. Diggers need a buried bottom rail or wire along the base.
- You have a pool. Choose iron, aluminum, or gap-free wood with code-rated gates.
- You want a front-yard fence. Pick iron. It reaches 5 feet in a front yard, and solid wood stops at 3.
- You own acreage. Split rail covers long runs for less material per foot.
- You need the lowest price. Chain link wins on cost per foot.
Still torn between materials? Read our breakdown of the best fence material for Texas weather. For longevity, see which fence type lasts the longest. Our tips on matching a fence to your house help with style.
San Antonio Residential Fence Height Limits and Permits
San Antonio sets fence heights by yard. The limits come from city code Section 35-514 and Information Bulletin 223.
| Yard | Solid fence | Predominantly open fence |
|---|---|---|
| Front yard | 3 ft | 5 ft |
| Side yard | 6 ft | 6 ft |
| Rear yard | 6 ft | 6 ft |
When You Can Go Taller
The code allows side and rear fences up to 8 feet in set cases. Common ones include:
- The yard has a pool or hot tub, or the neighbor’s yard does.
- The lot line backs up to an alley, a railroad, or a non-local street.
- The lot line abuts multi-family, commercial, industrial, or park land.
- The yard slopes, and the fence top stays level at no more than 8 feet.
Any fence over 6 feet adds a step. The city must contact your neighbors first, and they must not object. No fence in the city may top 12 feet.
Do You Need a Permit?
Yes, for new fence work inside city limits. Repairs need one too once the work passes 25% of the old fence length. Build first and the city charges double permit fees.
The city does not inspect home fences. Code Enforcement can still cite a fence built out of code. Corner lots also get a sight-line review before the permit issues.
We pull the permit on every job. Suburbs like Boerne, Schertz, and Helotes set their own rules. We build to those too.
Pool Barrier Code: Which Fences Pass
A home pool fence in San Antonio must stand at least 48 inches tall. No gap may let a 4-inch sphere pass through. Gates must swing out, self-close, and self-latch. Our standard chain link mesh is too wide to pass, so it needs slats. See our pool fence code guide for latch heights, door alarms, and inspection details.
HOA Rules for Residential Fences in Texas
Texas Property Code Section 202.023 limits what an HOA can block. An HOA may not enforce a rule that stops you from building a perimeter fence. The law treats that fence as a security measure.
Your HOA can still control the type of fence you build. It can block fences that cover a public sidewalk or a drainage area. It can also ban fences in front of the front-most building line of your home, if your deed restrictions say so.
Condos and master mixed-use associations fall outside this law.
Send your plan to the architectural committee before we dig. We provide the material, height, and style specs for your packet.
What Goes Into Every Alamo Fence Install
The parts you never see decide how long a fence stands. Here is what we put in the ground on a standard job.
Wood Fence Materials
- Pickets: Western Red Cedar, 1×6 or 1×4, 6 feet tall, #2 grade
- Posts: Pressure-treated Southern Yellow Pine 4x4x8, or galvanized steel
- Rails: Three pressure-treated pine rails per section, #2 grade
- Nails: Hot-dipped galvanized ring shank nails that resist backing out
- Gates: 2×4 cedar frame, black rust-resistant hardware, self-latching fingertip release
Chain Link Materials
- Residential mesh: 11.5-gauge galvanized steel, 2-3/8 inch opening
- Residential posts: 1-5/8 inch line posts, 2-3/8 inch corner and gate posts, 16-gauge
- Top rail: 1-3/8 inch, 17-gauge galvanized steel
- Heavy-duty option: 9-gauge mesh with Schedule 40 posts and rails
Iron Fence Materials
- Panels: Factory-prefabricated for consistent picket spacing
- Finish: Powder coat over galvanized steel
- Tops: Flat-top standard, with spear tops and finials on request
Concrete
Every post gets one bag of 4000 psi high-strength concrete. It meets ASTM C387 compressive strength requirements.
Fence Maintenance for the San Antonio Climate
Hot sun, sudden storms, and clay soil wear fences down in different ways. Here is what each material needs from you.
Wood
Sun pulls moisture out of cedar fast. That is what makes boards cup and split. A clear or tinted sealer slows the damage. Reseal when water stops beading on the boards.
Keep sprinklers aimed away from the fence line. Wet wood at the base rots first. Pull soil and mulch back from the bottom of each picket too.
Iron
The powder coat does the work. Wash the fence once a year with a hose and mild soap. Check the bottom of each picket after spring storms. Touch up any chip with a rust-blocking primer before it spreads.
Chain Link
Chain link asks for very little. Walk the line after big storms and look for bent top rail or loose ties. Keep vines off the mesh, since they add weight and trap moisture.
Gates on Any Fence
Gates take the most wear on any fence. Oil the hinges once a year. If a gate drags or will not latch, call us early. A sagging gate strains its post, and a loose pool gate fails code.
Fence Repair or Full Replacement?
Not every old fence needs to come down. If the posts are sound, new pickets or a rebuilt gate may be enough.
Push on each post. If it rocks, the wood has rotted below ground. The other posts are usually close behind.
We quote both paths and tell you which one makes sense. Start with our San Antonio fence repair service. Keep a new wood fence sound with these tips for keeping a wooden fence looking new.
Our Residential Fence Installation Process
- Free estimate. We measure the fence line, walk the gates, and check grade and soil.
- Written quote. You get itemized pricing by footage, gates, and add-ons.
- Permits and HOA. We file the city permit and supply specs for HOA approval.
- Utility locate. We call 811 before any digging.
- Installation. Our crew sets posts in concrete, hangs panels, and fits gates.
- Walkthrough. We test every gate and review the finished fence with you.
Skipping the contractor? Read our list of common DIY fencing mistakes first.
Residential Fencing Across San Antonio and Bexar County
Our shop sits at 4950 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212. We build home fences across the city and nearby towns. These include Alamo Heights, Stone Oak, Helotes, and Boerne. On the northeast side, we serve Schertz, Cibolo, Converse, and Universal City.
See every community on our areas served page.
Fencing a business or job site instead? Our commercial fencing team handles those projects.
A new fence often kicks off a bigger backyard project. We also build custom decks in San Antonio plus pergolas and patio covers.
Residential Fencing FAQs
How much does a residential fence cost in San Antonio?
Our installed prices run $28 per foot for 4-foot chain link, $33 to $35 for cedar privacy, and $50 to $59 for ornamental iron. A 150-foot cedar privacy fence costs about $4,950 before gates.
How tall can a backyard fence be in San Antonio?
Six feet in side and rear yards. Some lots qualify for 8 feet, such as yards with a pool or lots backing up to an alley.
Do I need a permit to replace my fence?
Yes, inside city limits, once the work covers more than 25% of the existing fence length, which includes any full replacement.
Can I use chain link as a pool fence?
Only with openings of 1¾ inches or less. Our standard residential mesh is wider, so it needs slats or a tighter mesh to pass.
Which fence gives the most privacy?
Cedar board-on-board. The pickets overlap, so no gaps open when the wood dries and shrinks.
Can my HOA stop me from building a fence?
It cannot block a perimeter fence under Texas Property Code 202.023. It can still set the fence type and some placement rules.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. See our financing page for payment options.
Get Your Free Residential Fence Estimate Today
Pick your fence type, then let us measure. Every San Antonio homeowner gets a free, itemized written estimate from Alamo Decks & Fence.
Call (210) 320-2138 or book your free estimate online. See what your neighbors say on our customer reviews page.
BUILD YOUR FENCE TODAY!
If you’re looking to beautify and enhance the security of your property, turn to Alamo Decks & Fence in Bexar County. We truly value our customers, which is why you can trust us to build your fence using the highest quality materials at the best prices possible.