A picket fence is the one fence people build for looks rather than privacy, and almost always in the front yard. That is exactly where the by-laws are strictest. Here is what it costs, what each material is like to live with, and the height rules to check before the first post goes in.
Is a 4 ft picket fence legal in your front yard?
Often not at the sidewalk. Front yard limits are much lower than backyard limits, and corner and driveway sight lines are lower again.
| City | Front yard limit | Sight line limit | Extras allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton (Fence By-law 10-142) | 0.9 m within 3.0 m of the front lot line; 2.0 m beyond that | 0.9 m in a corner visibility triangle (5.4 m) or driveway triangle (2.7 m) | Gate +0.3 m, archway +0.4 m, post caps +0.15 m |
| Oakville (Fences and Privacy Screens By-law 2002-034) | 1.5 m, but anything above 1 m must be open lattice | 0.91 m in a corner triangle (10.67 m) or driveway triangle (2 m) | Gate +30 cm, post caps +15 cm |
| Burlington | 1.2 m within 3 m of the street line; 2.0 m elsewhere (from the city's fence handout, confirm with the city) | Lower limits apply near intersections; confirm with the city | Confirm with the city |
So in Hamilton a 4 ft (1.22 m) picket fence along the sidewalk is over the limit, but the same fence set 3 m back from the front lot line is fine. In Oakville the solid part of a front yard fence tops out at 1 m. The front lot line is usually not the sidewalk, either: the city often owns a strip between the sidewalk and your lawn, so find your survey or the property pins before you lay out.
Picket fence cost in 2026
| Material, 3 to 4 ft high | Installed, per linear ft | 60 ft front yard | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $30 - $45 | $1,800 - $2,700 | 10 to 15 years |
| Cedar | $40 - $65 | $2,400 - $3,900 | 15 to 25 years |
| Vinyl | $40 - $65 | $2,400 - $3,900 | 25 to 40 years |
| Aluminum | $60 - $90 | $3,600 - $5,400 | 30 years or more |
A matching walk gate adds about $300 to $800. Removing an old fence is $5 to $12 per foot. Short runs cost more per foot, because the crew, locates and setup are the same whether the fence is 40 ft or 140 ft. For 6 ft privacy fencing in the same materials, see our fence cost guide.
On the shelf in October 2026, a 4 x 7 ft vinyl picket panel with post and cap was $156 at Home Depot Canada, a 3.5 x 8 ft pressure-treated French Gothic picket panel $59.22, and a matching vinyl picket gate $299 at RONA. The panels are the cheap part. Posts, concrete, the gate and the labour to set everything level and below frost are most of an installed price.
Wood, vinyl or aluminum?
| Wood (PT or cedar) | Vinyl | Aluminum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Classic, paintable any colour | Bright white, clean lines | Black, slim, formal |
| Upkeep | Paint or stain every 3 to 4 years | Wash it | Wash it |
| Weak spot | Bottom of pickets and posts rot first | Cracks from impacts in deep cold | Cost |
| Slopes | Pickets cut to follow the grade | Panels step down the slope | Panels rack to follow the slope |
| Pool fence? | Possible if built to the by-law | Possible if built to the by-law | The usual choice |
A white picket fence is usually vinyl now, because painted wood needs repainting every few years to stay white. Our wood vs vinyl vs aluminum fence comparison goes deeper on each material.
Picket styles and spacing
- Dog ear. Corners clipped at 45 degrees. Plain and cheap.
- French Gothic. Pointed spade tops. The traditional look.
- Scalloped or arched. Pickets cut so the tops dip or rise between posts. Looks best between gate piers.
- Square or flat top. Modern, and suits a craftsman or newer house.
Pickets are usually about 1.5 in (narrow), 3 in (standard) or 4 in (wide), with gaps of 2 to 3 in for the classic look, per the Weatherables picket guide. Keep the gap under about 2 in if the fence has to hold a small dog. If the fence is part of a pool enclosure, the gaps, height and gate are set by the pool by-law instead. See our pool fence requirements by town.
How a picket fence is built to last
- Locates and survey. Request a free locate from Ontario Dig Authority (formerly Ontario One Call) and confirm where the front lot line actually is.
- Posts at full frost depth. A 3 ft fence still needs posts 4 ft into the ground. Frost does not care how tall the fence is, and a short fence that heaves looks worse than a tall one because every post is at eye level.
- Posts about 8 ft on centre, or to suit the panel width, set in concrete crowned to shed water.
- A 2 in gap at the bottom so pickets do not sit in wet grass and snow.
- A gate post that will not move. Set it deeper or larger than the line posts, because the gate hangs from it all year.
Our fence gate guide covers gates that still close in year five.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a picket fence cost in Ontario?
About $30 to $45 per linear foot installed in pressure-treated wood in 2026, $40 to $65 in cedar or vinyl, and $60 to $90 in aluminum, for a 3 to 4 ft fence. A gate adds $300 to $800.
How tall can a front yard fence be in Hamilton?
0.9 m (about 35 in) within 3.0 m of the front lot line, and inside corner and driveway visibility triangles, under Fence By-law 10-142. Further back, up to 2.0 m.
How tall can a front yard fence be in Oakville?
Up to 1.5 m, but any part above 1 m must be commercially available open lattice, under By-law 2002-034. Near corners and driveways the limit is 0.91 m.
What is the standard height of a picket fence?
Most are 3 to 4 ft. In our area 35 in (just under 0.9 m) is the safest choice at the front of a lot, because it fits the front yard limits in Hamilton and Oakville.
Is vinyl or wood better for a white picket fence?
Vinyl, for most people. It stays white with a wash, while painted wood needs repainting every 3 to 4 years. Wood costs a little less and can be painted any colour.
How far apart should pickets be?
Usually 2 to 3 in for the classic look. Go under 2 in to hold a small dog, and follow your pool by-law if the fence is part of a pool enclosure.
Do I need a permit for a picket fence?
Usually not for a fence within the height limits. The fence still has to meet the by-law height and sight line rules, and a pool enclosure always needs a permit.