Chain Link Fencing
Chain Link Fence Installation in Humboldt County, CA
Galvanized and vinyl-coated chain link for homes, commercial sites, dog runs, and 10-acre security perimeters. Installed to spec by a crew that's been doing it on the North Coast since 2002.
Chain link is still the workhorse fence of the North Coast, and for good reason. It's the most cost-effective way to secure a yard, a commercial lot, a dog run, or a 10-acre job site, and when it's built right with factory-galvanized mesh and properly cemented posts, it'll stand up to Humboldt's fog-heavy winters, Redding's dry heat, and everything in between. We've been installing chain link around Humboldt County since 2002, and we still get calls from customers whose original fences are 15-plus years old and holding their line.
What sets our chain link jobs apart is the unglamorous stuff: post depth, concrete footing volume, tension-wire runs, cap and rail alignment, and gate hardware sized to the actual weight of the gate. You can't see any of it once the mesh is up, but it's the difference between a fence that sags at year five and one that keeps its line for two decades.
Why chain link works well in Humboldt County
Chain link is galvanized steel mesh, zinc-plated at the factory so the wire doesn't rust when it gets wet. On the North Coast, where fences live in marine air and winter rain for most of the year, that galvanization is what matters most. A thin-coated imported mesh will orange-rust in three or four seasons. The heavier factory-coated mesh we install will still look correct after a decade of Humboldt weather.
Add a vinyl color coating (black, green, or brown) and the mesh practically disappears into landscaping while picking up an extra layer of moisture protection. Black vinyl-coated is by far the most popular residential finish; commercial sites usually stick with standard galvanized to keep costs down.
Chain link is also the fastest fence type to install. A two-person crew can set posts in one day and hang fabric the next, which means we can turn around a typical 150-foot residential line in 48 hours start to finish. That speed matters when you're closing on a property, expecting a new dog, or trying to secure a job site before material starts going missing.
Materials & styles we install
Heights
Everything from 3-foot dog runs to 10-foot commercial security fencing. The most common residential heights are 4 ft (front yards, pool-code enclosures) and 6 ft (backyards, side yards, privacy when combined with slats). Commercial sites usually spec 6, 7, or 8 ft, and secure storage yards frequently run 8 ft with three-strand barbed top or razor ribbon.
Mesh gauge
Mesh gauge is the thickness of the wire itself. Standard residential is 11 or 11½ gauge. We step up to 9-gauge on commercial jobs, high-wear dog kennels, or any fence where impact is a real factor. For industrial security we'll run 6-gauge, which can't be cut with a bolt cutter.
Mesh opening
Standard diamond opening is 2-inch. For small-dog runs we drop to 1⅜-inch so puppies can't squeeze through. Deer-exclusion perimeter usually moves to a specialized deer fence at 6-plus feet, see our agriculture fencing page.
Framework and gates
Top rail, line posts, terminal posts, tension wire, tension bands, loop caps, and tie wires, all installed to industry spec. Posts are set in concrete footings, deeper for corners, terminals, and any post carrying a gate. On windy sites we upsize the post schedule; on hillside sites we step the fence to grade rather than forcing a level line that won't hold. Single-leaf swing gates, double drive gates, rolling gates, and cantilever gates all in chain link, with hardware sized for the actual gate weight.
Recent chain link projects
A sample of residential and commercial chain link jobs we've completed across the North Coast.
“I had a great experience with this company. They came out to do the estimate when it was scheduled. I received the estimate within several days and booked the job. The ladies at the office were easy to contact, were polite, and helpful. There was a slight delay on scheduling and they communicated this clearly with me. The job was done in several days over a week's span and cost exactly what the estimate was. They installed a nice 8-foot-tall chain link fence with privacy slats and a 6-foot-high by 7-foot-wide gate of the same material. They hauled away all the material of the old wood fence that had failed. Thanks!”
, Humboldt Fisher
Google Local Guide
Privacy options for chain link
Standard chain link is see-through, fine for security and separation, not great when you want a backyard that feels like a backyard. If you want privacy while staying with chain link, we have two approaches:
Privacy slats: vertical polyethylene or aluminum slats woven through the mesh. About 75, 90% opacity depending on style. Aluminum slats last longer in coastal salt air; polyethylene is cheaper up front. Works on any existing chain link fence as a retrofit.
Slat Master Chain Link: a factory product with the privacy slats pre-woven into the mesh at manufacture. Cleaner look, better wind performance, and a tighter tolerance because the mesh is designed around the slats. See our Slat Master page for details.
For full visual blocking on a commercial site, we can also run a windscreen fabric panel over chain link, common on construction sites and storage yards. If it's a home and you want true privacy, wood or vinyl is usually the better call. We're happy to walk you through the tradeoff.
Cost and timing
Residential chain link is the most cost-effective fencing material for any given height. Vinyl-coated adds a modest premium over galvanized. Commercial 8-ft fence with drive gates runs higher, pricing depends on gate count, site access, mesh gauge, security toppers, and whether demolition of an existing fence is part of the job. Every quote is itemized after we've walked the site, request a free estimate.
Most residential jobs we complete in 2, 3 working days: one day to set posts (then 24 hours for concrete to cure), one day to hang the mesh and install gates. Commercial projects run 3, 10 days depending on scale. We handle the permit when the city or county requires one, and we haul away any old fence as part of the job.
Where we install chain link fencing
Chain link goes in across every city we serve. Most weeks we have crews running jobs in Eureka, Arcata, Fortuna, and McKinleyville, plus regular commercial work in Redding and the Shasta County area. We also handle agricultural perimeter chain link in Willow Creek, Hoopa, and the greater Trinity Valley. See all service areas →
Chain link fencing FAQs
How long does a chain link fence last in Humboldt County?
With a properly galvanized mesh on cemented posts, 20, 25 years is realistic in our climate. Vinyl-coated mesh often goes longer because the PVC layer protects the galvanization from salt air. The most common failure point isn't the fence itself. It's gate hardware that was under-spec'd for the gate weight, which we size correctly from day one.
Do you install commercial chain link fencing?
Yes, commercial and industrial chain link is a large share of our work. Storage-yard perimeters, construction-site temporary fencing, solar plants (we've fenced a 10-acre solar facility in Fortuna), utility substations, and self-storage. We handle the bid package, permits, drive gates, and any required security top treatments.
Can you add privacy slats to an existing chain link fence?
Usually, yes. As long as the existing fabric is still sound, we can retrofit polyethylene or aluminum privacy slats in a single day. We'll inspect the fence first, recommend the slat style and color that fits your site, and flag anything that should be replaced before the slats go in.
What's the difference between galvanized and vinyl-coated chain link?
Galvanized is raw zinc-coated steel, the classic silver look and the cheaper option. Vinyl-coated adds a fused PVC layer on top of the galvanization in black, green, or brown. It costs more, but it looks much better in residential settings and adds meaningful protection against coastal salt air.
Do I need a permit for a chain link fence in Humboldt County?
It depends on the jurisdiction and the fence height. Most residential chain link under 6 feet is permit-exempt in unincorporated Humboldt County, but Eureka, Arcata, and other incorporated cities each have their own rules. Anything taller or along a street frontage usually triggers a permit. When one is required, we pull it as part of the install.
What heights of chain link fencing do you offer?
Anywhere from 3 feet (dog runs, pool-code enclosures) up to 10 feet (commercial security). The most common residential heights are 4 ft front and 6 ft back; commercial sites are typically 6, 7, or 8 ft, often with three-strand barbed or razor-ribbon toppers where security is a priority.
Get a chain link fence quote
We offer free estimates.