Wood fences in Oakland
Redwood and cedar privacy fences for backyards, good-neighbor styles for shared lines, and low pickets for front gardens.
Which wood do we use?
Mostly redwood and western red cedar for boards, because both resist rot better than untreated pine. Posts are pressure-treated for ground contact and set in concrete. On a fence that will see sprinklers or wet soil, we talk about steel posts with wood infill, which outlast wood posts.
What styles work in Oakland backyards?
- Board-on-board privacy. Overlapping boards leave no gaps as the wood shrinks.
- Good-neighbor. Boards alternate sides so both yards get a finished face, which helps on a shared fence.
- Horizontal slat. A modern look for remodeled homes, with a stronger frame to stop sagging.
- Lattice top. Adds height and light on top of a solid section.
Can I put a wood fence in my front yard?
Yes, within the city's limits. As of November 2026, Oakland caps residential front-yard fences at 6 feet, sends anything over 3.5 feet through zoning approval, and asks taller front fences to be mostly open. A 3- to 3.5-foot picket fence avoids that review. See Oakland height limits.
How long does a wood fence last?
It depends on the wood, the posts and the care. Ground contact and sprinkler spray are what usually fail first. Sealing or staining every few years and keeping soil and plants off the boards adds years.
Sharing the fence with a neighbor?
California's good-neighbor fence law presumes adjoining owners share the reasonable cost of a boundary fence, with written notice beforehand. We can quote it so both sides see the same numbers. See fence costs in Oakland.
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Get a free written estimate
Tell us what you want fenced and roughly how many feet. We set a time to measure, check the city rules for your lot and give you an itemized price in writing.
We work in Oakland only, from West Oakland to the hills.
Prefer to talk? Call or text (510) 945-1192.