A picket fence uses evenly spaced vertical boards with gaps between them, built for curb appeal and a defined property edge rather than full privacy — the classic front-yard fence style across the Los Angeles metro's older single-family neighborhoods, from Craftsman bungalows in Highland Park to Spanish-style homes in Eagle Rock. Unlike a solid privacy fence, a picket fence keeps sightlines open between a front yard and the street while still clearly marking where a property starts.
Most of our picket fence work is front-yard installation, where local height limits typically cap fencing at 3.5 to 4 feet without a variance, though we also install picket fencing around garden beds, side yards, and as a decorative border that doesn't need to block views. Picket top styles range from flat-top and dog-ear to pointed gothic and scalloped profiles, and spacing between pickets can be adjusted for a more open or more solid look depending on how much privacy versus visibility a homeowner wants.
We build picket fencing primarily in cedar and pressure-treated pine, with post spacing and picket width matched to the style you choose. Installation follows the same core process as our other wood fencing work: confirming the property line and any setback requirements, setting posts in concrete footings, installing rails, and hanging pickets at even spacing with a string line to keep the top edge straight across grade changes on sloped lots. Gates are built to match the picket style and hung with self-closing hinges where required by code, such as at pool or side-yard access points. Staining and sealing is available at installation and strongly recommended, since picket fences expose more end-grain surface area per linear foot than a solid privacy fence, meaning faster weathering without a protective finish. Most residential picket fence installations, including a single gate, are completed in one to two days depending on total linear footage and how many corners the fence line has to turn.
Benefits
- Classic curb-appeal fencing for front yards and borders
- Multiple picket top styles: flat, dog-ear, gothic, scalloped
- Adjustable spacing for open or more solid look
- Matches historic and craftsman-style properties
- Self-closing gate hardware where required
Picket Fence Installation Questions
Most Los Angeles residential zones cap front-yard fencing at 3.5 to 4 feet without a variance. Side and rear yard picket fencing can typically go taller. We confirm your lot's specific limit during the on-site assessment.
Yes, we can typically match picket width, spacing, and top profile to existing fencing nearby, which is common in historic districts and HOA communities with a consistent streetscape requirement.
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