Fence installation and repair in Idaho Falls, Idaho

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us your town and what you want built, fixed or replaced.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent fence contractor that serves Idaho Falls and Bonneville County.

3. They call you back

   They look at the property and quote the job directly.

Who uses this service?

Homeowners and landowners in Idaho Falls, Ammon, Iona, Ucon, Rigby, Shelley and the farm ground around them. Typical calls: a first fence for a new house on the east side of Ammon, a replacement for a 30-year-old wood fence in an older Idaho Falls neighborhood, a chain link run so the dog stays home, or a pasture fence that will actually hold a horse. We also hear from people whose fence came apart in a spring windstorm and need it put back up.

Which fence materials hold up best in Idaho Falls?

There isn't one right answer, but these are the fences you'll see most often around town:

• Vinyl privacy fences. Very common in newer subdivisions across Bonneville County. No painting or staining, but panels and posts have to be reinforced for wind. More on vinyl fences.
• Wood fences. Cedar and treated pine privacy, picket and horizontal fences. Easy to repair a board at a time, but they need a finish to handle dry air and strong sun. More on wood fences.
• Chain link and ornamental metal. Chain link for dog runs, side yards and gardens; steel or aluminum picket fencing for front yards and around pools. More on chain link and metal.
• Farm, ranch and horse fencing. Wire, pipe, post-and-rail and no-climb horse fence for acreage and hobby farms. More on farm and horse fencing.

The right choice depends on what the fence has to keep in or out, how exposed your lot is to wind, what your HOA allows, and how much upkeep you're willing to do.

What does eastern Idaho weather do to a fence?

Idaho Falls sits at about 4,700 feet on the Snake River Plain. It's semi-arid, with cold winters, an average of about 37 inches of snow a year, and a record low of 51 below zero. The City of Idaho Falls Building Division designs footings for a 30-inch frost depth and uses a 115 mph design wind speed with open "Exposure C" terrain. In plain terms: posts have to go deep enough that frost can't jack them up, and a solid 6-foot fence on open ground takes a real beating from wind. Ask any contractor how deep they set posts and how they brace panels, gates and corners.

Signs your fence needs attention

• Posts that lean or rock when you push on them
• Vinyl panels popping out of the rails after a windy day
• Wood that's soft, dark or crumbling where the post meets the dirt
• A gate that drags on the ground or won't latch
• Posts lifted higher than their neighbors after a hard winter
• Sagging wire or broken insulators on a pasture fence

A loose panel or a sticking gate is a small job if it's caught early. A row of rotted or heaved posts usually gets worse every season. More on fence repair and gates.

Do I need a fence permit in Idaho Falls?

Inside Idaho Falls city limits, yes. The city's own FAQ says a fence permit is required for new fences so staff can check the plan against the code, and it usually takes only a few minutes at the counter. City rules limit fence type and height in front yards and near driveways, alleys and intersections, where a solid fence would block drivers' and pedestrians' view. Ammon, Iona, Rigby, Shelley and the counties each run their own rules, and many subdivisions add HOA covenants on top. The Idaho Falls fence guide explains who to ask.

Is there a canal or ditch along your property line?

Much of the Idaho Falls area is crisscrossed by irrigation canals and laterals. Idaho Code 42-1209 says no one may put fences, gates or other encroachments on an irrigation district's or ditch company's easement without that entity's written permission. If your back line runs along a canal, find out where the easement is before anyone sets a post.

Call 811 before anyone digs

Idaho law requires a locate request at least two business days before digging, and every post hole counts. Utilities mark their own lines, but water and sewer owners only mark up to the meter, so private lines to a shop, sprinkler system or outbuilding aren't covered. A good fence contractor submits the 811 request as part of the job and asks you about private lines.

Are you a fence company?

No. Idaho Falls Fence Installation is a referral service. We connect you with an independent fence contractor that serves your address, and that contractor measures, quotes, builds and warranties the work. Read our tips for hiring a fence contractor before you sign anything.

Areas we cover

• Idaho Falls
• Ammon
• Rigby
• Shelley

Planning ahead? Read our Idaho Falls fence guide.