Where Chain Link Can't Go: Wrought Iron in Sonoma
Iron, aluminum and wood fences for the street side of Sonoma homes, where chain link isn't allowed, plus taller backyard fences built to the city's open-top rule.
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Who builds wrought iron and wood fences in Sonoma?
We do. New Line Fencing builds wrought iron, aluminum, wood and vinyl fences and custom gates for homes in the City of Sonoma, and repairs older ones. Street-facing work takes extra thought here, because the city keeps chain link out of required setbacks along a street and caps front fences at 3.5 feet.
Sonoma grew up around its Plaza and Mission San Francisco Solano, and the historic center still draws visitors. A fence that faces those streets becomes part of the view, so we start with what the city allows out front and what suits the house.
Do we reach homes beyond the Plaza in Sonoma?
Yes, well past the Plaza. We cover Sonoma's 95476 ZIP code, from the historic center and the streets near Mission San Francisco Solano out to homes near the valley's farmland and along Sonoma Creek. If a parcel sits just outside city limits, County rules apply instead. Call (707) 396-8940 about a specific address.
The city sits in the Sonoma Valley, with the Mayacamas Mountains on the east, the Sonoma Mountains on the west and Sonoma Creek running south through town toward the Napa Sonoma Marsh. North of town the hills climb to 1,200 feet, while deep alluvial soil to the south, west and east supports farming.
Near the Plaza, check the Historic Overlay Zone Map on the city's Planning Resources page before planning a street-facing fence. Our custom gates often hang on welded steel frames, and one reviewer noted that Gil built a gate frame to fit after the posts were already set.
If chain link is out, what goes along a Sonoma street?
Wrought iron, aluminum, wood or vinyl, since chain link can't sit in a required street setback on a home lot. Keep it to 3.5 feet out front. In the sight area where streets, alleys and driveways meet, a fence stops at 30 inches unless it's at least 75% open, so open wrought iron pickets are worth a look there.
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Where do Sonoma's fence height limits fall?
Three tiers: 3.5 feet in front and street-side setbacks, 7 feet along rear and interior lines, and 8 feet there when the top foot is at least 40% open, such as lattice. Anything taller needs a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission. Sonoma posts them as its fence height standards.
Before you build in Sonoma:
- Call City Hall at (707) 938-3681 or email planning@sonomacity.org with planning questions.
- Where a street, alley or driveway meets another, solid fencing in the sight area can't top 30 inches unless it's at least 75% open.
- On a home lot, chain link can't go in a required setback along a street, and barbed, razor and electric wire are banned in residential zones.
- Find the fence height handout and the Historic Overlay Zone Map on the city's Planning Resources page.
Sonoma FAQ
What's covered outside Sonoma's city limits?
El Verano, right on the city's west side, is the closest, and it follows County of Sonoma fence rules. We also work in Petaluma and Santa Rosa, each with its own permit process. Every town has a page with its local limits, and our service area list shows them all.
What should face your Sonoma street?
Tell us about the house and its frontage, and we'll bring style ideas that fit the city's limits to the estimate. Or call (707) 396-8940.