[LMJohnson]

I'll removing the old chain-link fence between me and my neighbors backyard and constructing a wooden fence. Seems like all of the neighbors that have wooden fences in their backyard have the posts on the outside, which is opposite any fence in front yards (posts being inside the fence). This particular fence will make use of existing chain link fence posts to attach horizontal 2x4s. No new 4x4 posts will be required. Just a short 4-ft tall fence. So the question is simple, what is the proper way to construct the fence, posts on inside or outside of fence?
If you intend to reply, "whatever you like", please just move along.

 

[Nealtw]

I'll removing the old chain-link fence between me and my neighbors backyard and constructing a wooden fence. Seems like all of the neighbors that have wooden fences in their backyard have the posts on the outside, which is opposite any fence in front yards (posts being inside the fence). This particular fence will make use of existing chain link fence posts to attach horizontal 2x4s. No new 4x4 posts will be required. Just a short 4-ft tall fence. So the question is simple, what is the proper way to construct the fence, posts on inside or outside of fence?
If you intend to reply, "whatever you like", please just move along.

Usually you put the nice side out as the framing may add the ability of the neighbors kids to climb the fence

 

[Matt1963]

The finished side should be towards the neighbors but you can make the fence so it has two finished sides. Depends on the details.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

The finished side should be towards the neighbors .

Why? If the neighbor installs the fence, the good side is to you. If you installnthe fence, the good side is to the neighbor. Bottom line ... somebody gets the good side. Except for fences facing the street ... if you’re paying for it, put the good side to yourself.

 

[Matt1963]

That's how proper fence etiquette is done around my area.

In the big city, how your house looks from the street is more common. Again, like my fence, it looks finished from both sides.

I will admit, in the outlying areas with big lots, Fence our Us people put the finished side in. There more slap them up kind of fences though.

 

[Msradell]

Many cities have codes that Req the good side of fences to be installed with the good side towards your neighbor.

 

[Startingover]

Code here in Florida posts go inside.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Many cities have codes that Req the good side of fences to be installed with the good side towards your neighbor.

BS. Prove it. Show me an ordinance that requires that. I just checked the ordinances in my county … it discusses setbacks, height, and general design considerations … but nothing about which side the pickets are on.

 

[wrbrb]

BS. Prove it. Show me an ordinance that requires that. I just checked the ordinances in my county … it discusses setbacks, height, and general design considerations … but nothing about which side the pickets are on.

View attachment 728626

See 4th requirement. https://www.desplaines.org/home/showpublisheddocument/376/637974453117030000

 

[miamicuse]

It is not part of the FBC but it is part of the land development code in south Florida. So yes if two neighbors decide to build a fence between them, the person who pulls the permit will need to have the finish side face their neighbor. It also needs to be build entirely on their side and not right on the property line. Our code has a huge section on just setbacks and transparency. We are now required to set back 3 feet minimum from the property line with no gate swinging past the property line when fully opened, so 5' gates set back 5'.

Land Development Code Sec 809.7.6 &. 22-141. (c): The finished side of all fences shall face outward to the abutting property or right-of way. The safety barrier shall be erected either around the swimming pool or around the premises on which the swimming pool is erected; in either event, it shall enclose the area entirely, prohibiting unrestrained admittance to the enclosed area.
FBC 2017 Section 2328: HIGH VELOCITY HURRICANE ZONES: WOOD FENCES
2328.1 Wood fences, so located on a property that by zoning regulations they cannot be used as a wall of a building, shall be constructed to meet the minimum specifications in
2328.2 and 2328.3.
2328.2 Fences not exceeding 6 feet (1829 mm) in height, shall be constructed to meet the following minimum requirements from nominal 4 X 4 X 8 posts No. 2 grade or
better spaced 4 feet (1219mm) on center, and embedded 2 feet (610 mm) into a concrete footing 10 inches (254 mm) in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) deep.
2328.3 Fences not exceeding 5 feet (1524 mm) or 4 feet (1219 mm) in height shall constructed as provided in 2328.2 except that the spacing of posts may be increased to 5 feet
(1524 mm) and 6 feet (1829 mm) on center for those heights respectively.
Wood fences not exceeding 6’-0” in height may be constructed to meet the following minimum requirements:
(1) Vertical post of nominal 4x4 spaced a maximum of 4’ o/c for 6’ high fences; 5’ o/c for 5’ high fences, 6’ o/c for 4’ high fence.
(2) Post shall be embedded 2’0” into concrete footing 10” in diameter and 2’0” deep.
(3) 2x4 material shall be fastened with (2) #16D galv. nails at each attachment.
(4) All lumber shall be a minimum of #2 grade or better.
(5) All fasteners shall be corrosion resistant.
(6) Fence boards less than 8” wide shall be fastened with (2) #8 D galv. nails at each connection point.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Thanks miami, that’s pretty clear. Thankfully my county doesn’t have that. Interesting that they limit the distance between posts to 4 or 5 ft.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

See 4th requirement. https://www.desplaines.org/home/showpublisheddocument/376/637974453117030000

Clear, but still dumb. As miami pointed out … the guy that pulls the permit gets the back side of the fence. It’s almost a penalty.

 

[Steve2444]

One can have the option to stagger the "pickets" inside and outside.

 

[James999]

my wood fence looks exactly the same on both sides

 

[wrbrb]

Clear, but still dumb. As miami pointed out … the guy that pulls the permit gets the back side of the fence. It’s almost a penalty.

True. I think you should be able to build a fence on your property, only far enough away for a neighbor to have room for their posts/footers, and if they don't like how it looks they can block the view with a fence of their own equally close to the property line. And then it's up to you if you prefer a better view of your property with the posts inside, or want the better view while sitting in your yard. I can see the city requiring posts inside for a front yard, although front yard fences are often limited. Or just do the double sided thing if you can afford it.

 

[Old Thomas]

In western NY the finished side of the fence is on the side away from the property that owns the fence. Construction methods vary with location. In Miami, concrete embedment helps to keep it from blowing away in a hurricane. In NY, improper concrete embedment will get frost heaved out of the ground.

 

[miamicuse]

True. I think you should be able to build a fence on your property, only far enough away for a neighbor to have room for their posts/footers, and if they don't like how it looks they can block the view with a fence of their own equally close to the property line. And then it's up to you if you prefer a better view of your property with the posts inside, or want the better view while sitting in your yard. I can see the city requiring posts inside for a front yard, although front yard fences are often limited. Or just do the double sided thing if you can afford it.

Setting the fence back to your property for a distance say 4" or 6" have been required in many places and while it solves the problem of ownership disputes, it creates another problem. If two neighbors both built their own fences set 4" it creates an 8" in accessible space between two fences trapping leaves twigs seed pods that no one can get to. Or if you set it back further 1 foot each it creates a 2' gap that neighbors argue who should mow that strip of grass.

 

[miamicuse]

my wood fence looks exactly the same on both sides

If you do a shadow box style the pickets will be on both sides but the posts will still be visible on one side if they build it the typical way. The only way to make them identical from both sides is to mount the horizontal rails recessed like how you do mid plates between wall studs, and that requires more time to cut and fit and possibly special connectors.

 

[James999]

If you do a shadow box style the pickets will be on both sides but the posts will still be visible on one side if they build it the typical way. The only way to make them identical from both sides is to mount the horizontal rails recessed like how you do mid plates between wall studs, and that requires more time to cut and fit and possibly special connectors.

Posts are visible on both sides, I don't see what the issue is?

Like I said, the fence looks the same on both sides,

5 inch posts, 3x 2x4's between the posts, then vertical 1x6's

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I can see the city requiring posts inside for a front yard, although front yard fences are often limited.

We are getting ready to install a 4 ft wood fence. We have a corner lot, so the fence on the side will have the pickets on the street side. No complaints there. On the adjacent neighbor side … we get the pickets. Part of that is because of their attitude, i’m not giving them anything i don’t have to.