Fence Contractors in Hoboken, NJ

Our work as fence contractors in Hoboken centers on two very different spaces: the narrow strip of railing between a rowhouse stoop and the sidewalk, and the small walled yard out back. Hoboken has only 1.25 square miles of land and more than 48,000 residents per square mile, so almost every lot is attached on both sides, and almost every fence touches a neighbor, a sidewalk or both.

Why the front fence is the hard part

Hoboken treats fences, gates and stoops that face a public street as their own category. Chapter 168 of the city code says gates and fences along public thoroughfares must be cast iron or a similar material, at least three feet tall and no more than four. Chain-link fences are not permitted there. The space between the lot line and the fence cannot be enclosed, built on or used to store personal property without City Council approval, and a fence, gate or stoop cannot project into the street or sidewalk beyond limits tied to older neighboring structures.

Licenses for street-facing fences

Instead of a simple permit, the code lets the Zoning Officer grant revocable licenses for these street-side structures, renewable at five-year intervals. Most applicants must file a certificate of liability insurance with the license, but owner-occupied one- and two-family homes are exempt from that insurance requirement. We prepare a drawing that shows the fence height, the setback from the curb and the gate swing, and we explain which items fall on you as the owner and which fall on us.

Historic districts and designated sites

When the property is in a historic district or is a designated historic site, the code says no permit can be issued until the Hoboken Historic Preservation Commission approves. On these blocks, the original ironwork matters. We match picket spacing, finial style and rail height to what survives on the street, and we use black powder-coated aluminum or steel where true cast iron is not required.

Small backyards, tight access

The city grew around masonry row houses of three to five stories, laid out on a street grid that still shapes every block. Backyards tend to be long and narrow, often closed in by brick walls on two or three sides. Materials usually have to come through the house or a shared passage, so we cut and pre-assemble what we can on the sidewalk and carry in panels small enough to clear a hallway. Popular choices out back:

• Cedar privacy fences and horizontal slat screens
• Vinyl privacy panels for low upkeep
• Short aluminum sections to close off a side gap
• Fence repair and gates, including rebuilding rusted gates on old iron fences

Water and ground conditions

Hoboken was once an island ringed by the Hudson River and tidal lands. During Sandy in 2012, seawater flooded half the city and about 1,700 homes. For backyard posts, that history means we check for soggy ground and buried debris, set posts in concrete with drainage gravel underneath, and suggest vinyl or aluminum on lots that stay wet. Wood can work well too, as long as it is pressure-treated for ground contact.

Working with renters and buildings

About 33.8 percent of Hoboken homes are owner-occupied, and households average just over two people. Many fence decisions here involve condo boards and landlords in converted brownstones. We put every quote in writing, itemized by section, so it can be passed along for approval.

Call (551) 212-8142 or

Get a Free Estimate

to schedule a visit. We call 811 for a utility mark-out before any posts go in, as New Jersey law requires.