Iron and aluminum fences in San Francisco

Why choose metal for a San Francisco front yard?

San Francisco Planning caps a solid fence in the front setback at 3 feet in many residential districts, but allows up to 6 feet when the fence is at least 75% open. A slim-picket aluminum or steel fence can meet that openness test, giving you a taller barrier at the sidewalk without walling off the house. Thick pickets set close together may not qualify, so we check the math on the design.

Aluminum or steel?

• Aluminum does not rust. Powder-coated aluminum is our usual suggestion near the ocean and in fog-heavy neighborhoods.
• Steel and wrought iron are heavier and harder to bend or climb. They can rust where the coating is chipped, so they need touch-ups, especially near salt air.
• Custom work, such as matching an older railing or a Victorian-era pattern, is usually steel and priced by design.

What do metal fences cost?

Angi's national cost guide, as of October 2026, puts aluminum at about $17 to $90 per linear foot and wrought iron at about $25 to $55, with custom fabrication above that. Short front-yard runs often come down to the number of gates and posts rather than footage.

Can a metal fence sit on top of a stair or retaining wall?

Often, yes, with posts core-drilled or surface-mounted into concrete. On a wall that holds back soil, the combined height and the wall's condition matter, and Planning may treat the fence differently. We look at the wall before quoting.