How does ocean air affect a fence in Santa Monica?
Salt in the air speeds up rust on steel posts, hinges, latches and fasteners, and the morning marine layer keeps wood damp longer than it would inland. The fix is in the details: stainless or hot-dip galvanized fasteners, aluminum or well-coated steel for metal fences, and wood kept off the soil with good drainage around the posts. Cheap hardware is usually the first thing to fail near the beach.
How do you get privacy on a small Santa Monica lot?
Many Santa Monica homes sit close to their neighbors, and a lot of the city is duplexes, small apartment buildings and condos. Neighbors are often near enough that a fence is the main privacy screen. Horizontal slat fences with tight gaps, solid board fences and fences with a slatted topper (where the height rules allow) are common choices. Many blocks also back onto alleys, which makes a secure alley-side gate a frequent request.
What styles fit Santa Monica homes?
Santa Monica mixes 1920s Spanish and Craftsman homes, mid-century houses, beach cottages and new modern builds. Clean horizontal wood, often in a natural or dark stain, suits modern and mid-century homes. Ornamental metal suits Spanish homes. For apartment buildings, we install steel and chain link fencing, pedestrian gates and trash enclosure gates.
Does Santa Monica have its own fence rules?
Yes. Santa Monica sets its own fence and hedge height limits and permit rules, separate from the City of Los Angeles, and some properties fall under historic or design review. We check what applies to your address before finalizing the design.
Which fence should you pick in Santa Monica?
Choose aluminum if you want a metal fence that will not rust near the beach. Choose horizontal wood with stainless or galvanized hardware for privacy with a modern look. Choose vinyl if you want privacy without staining and do not mind a more uniform look.