Fence or deck costs in Tallahassee

In Tallahassee, a fence has to get tall before the city wants a permit. The city's Growth Management office says you need a permit for a masonry fence with a footer that's taller than 2 feet, and for any other kind of fence that's taller than 10 feet. A six-foot wood privacy fence is nowhere near the 10-foot mark.

Decks are a different story. A deck on a one- or two-family home needs a permit once it's more than 30 inches high, and every commercial or multi-family deck needs one at any height.

Then there are the trees. The city's tree preservation standards are in Chapter 5 of its Land Development Code, and Growth Management's engineering staff take tree questions by phone. If a fence line or a deck footprint would mean taking a tree down, ask first.

Big trees can also be the threat. On the morning of May 10, 2024, a squall line spun up at least five tornadoes across the region, several in Leon County and the Tallahassee area. The National Weather Service says the storms' damaging gusts brought down many trees and power lines. So leave some space between a new fence and big trunks, and keep a few spare pickets or a panel from your install.