FencelineThe crew that holds
New York property
together.
Steel posts into Brooklyn clay. Cedar slats across Westchester property lines. Permits filed before the ink is dry. From brownstone boundary disputes to commercial chain-link that's been leaning since the Bloomberg years — this is what we do.
Click a borough for project data
"This guide answers the questions most contractors deflect with a site visit. Read it before you call anyone."
Based on 1,400+ projects across New York City and Westchester County, 2018–2025. Permit data sourced from NYC Department of Buildings public records.
Do I need a permit
in my borough?
In New York City, the Department of Buildings requires a permit for most fence installations over four feet on residential lots — but every borough has its own rhythm. After 340 permit filings in Brooklyn alone last year, we know every clerk by name.
"If it's over four feet and touches the ground, it needs a permit in New York City."
Decorative garden borders and temporary construction fencing are exempt. Everything else — wood privacy, aluminum pool enclosure, commercial chain-link — goes through DOB.
"We closed on the house in October. Fenceline had the permit filed the same week and the cedar up before the first snow."
— Dominique Farrell, Ditmas Park homeowner
Who pays for
a shared fence?
New York follows the "party wall" doctrine — a fence on the property line belongs to both owners, and both are legally responsible for maintenance. But who initiates, who chooses the material, and who writes the first check? That depends on which side the fence faces.
| Material | Installed Cost | Lifespan | Permit | Privacy | Maintenance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Wood | $28–42/LF | 15–25 yrs | Always | ●●●●● | Annual seal | Brownstone gardens, privacy |
| Aluminum | $35–55/LF | 40+ yrs | Usually | ●●○○○ | None | Pool enclosures, HOA lots |
| Vinyl / PVC | $22–38/LF | 20–30 yrs | Usually | ●●●●○ | Rinse annually | Suburban residential |
| Chain-Link | $12–22/LF | 25–35 yrs | Usually | ●○○○○ | Rust check | Commercial, rear lots |
| Wrought Iron | $48–80/LF | 50+ yrs | Always | ●●○○○ | Paint/seal | Front yards, historic districts |
"My neighbor and I had been arguing about that fence for three years. Fenceline came out, explained the party wall doctrine, and we had a signed agreement within a week."
— Marcus Webb, Ridgewood, Queens
How deep do posts go
in New York soil?
Brooklyn clay is notoriously unforgiving — it expands in winter and contracts in summer, heaving posts that aren't set deep enough. We drive steel to 36 inches minimum, past the frost line, into the glacial till that's been stable since the last ice age.
New York City's frost depth is 36 inches. Posts set above this line will heave during freeze-thaw cycles — typically January through March. A fence that leans by spring was installed by someone who didn't account for this. We drive to 42 inches on pool enclosures where DOB inspectors measure depth.
Which material is
right for my property?
The answer depends on your borough's zoning, your lot's soil conditions, your HOA's restrictions, and how much you want to spend over the next twenty years — not just today. Here's what we've built across New York in the past eighteen months.
"They looked at our soil report before recommending aluminum over wood. That's the kind of detail that tells you you're dealing with professionals."
— Priya Nair, Pelham Bay, Bronx
Seven years of
New York fencing.
What New York property owners
say after the job is done.
"The permit was approved before they even showed up with the posts. That's never happened to me in twenty years of owning property in Brooklyn."
"We needed the pool fence done before the inspection. They finished two days ahead of schedule. The inspector didn't ask a single question."
"Three quotes, three different opinions on what we needed. Fenceline was the only one who pulled the zoning map and showed us exactly what was allowed."
"The chain-link on our warehouse lot had been leaning since 2015. New posts, new fabric, whole perimeter in one day. Didn't interrupt operations at all."
"My neighbor and I had been going back and forth for years. Fenceline mediated the whole thing — party wall agreement, permit, installation. Done."
"I was worried about the Landmarks commission because we're in a historic district. They knew exactly which materials were pre-approved. Zero surprises."
"The permit was approved before they even showed up with the posts. That's never happened to me in twenty years of owning property in Brooklyn."
"We needed the pool fence done before the inspection. They finished two days ahead of schedule. The inspector didn't ask a single question."
"Three quotes, three different opinions on what we needed. Fenceline was the only one who pulled the zoning map and showed us exactly what was allowed."
"The chain-link on our warehouse lot had been leaning since 2015. New posts, new fabric, whole perimeter in one day. Didn't interrupt operations at all."
"My neighbor and I had been going back and forth for years. Fenceline mediated the whole thing — party wall agreement, permit, installation. Done."
"I was worried about the Landmarks commission because we're in a historic district. They knew exactly which materials were pre-approved. Zero surprises."
Ready to close the line
on your property?
Tell us your borough, your fence type, and your approximate footage. We'll have a detailed plan — with permit timeline and material recommendation — back to you within two business hours.