Fences in San Francisco (Marina: apartments, rental, houses)

[thePR]

I was looking at San Francisco on Google Maps and noticed that everywhere I could see that property was divided by fences. Is this everywhere in San Francisco? If it is, why is it like that?

[tstieber]

Don't people in other cities have fences? I can't imagine Chicagoans or New Yorkers not having fences between properties?

Also, at least in California, pretty much all urban and suburban properties are divided by fences. In much of the south, the lots just flow into each other fenceless, but that's never the case in California.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

I just noticed this post on my way to the Ventura County sub forum. I am always amazed that places claim not to have fences. Also noticed in one city back east that has fences they put in those ugly chain link type fences. I didn't know anyone would use chain link and that was for a new development.

We are planning on fencing in our front yard, river rock base and pillars and wrought iron sections. Along with a wrought iron gate to get the cars through.

[Isebiel]

Huh. I didn't really notice any fences in the city. There aren't a lot of single houses to have a yard around. I suppose if I zoom way in and squint hard I can make out some fencing around the million-dollar postage stamp backyards in the Marina and Cow Hollow, but they aren't visible when walking there.

Everywhere else I walked had commercial buildings with little-to-no-land. Some courtyards, maybe. Where are you noticing fences?

[clongirl]

Most properties in the City are divided by fences. You wouldn't see them from the front since you normally only see the front part of the houses, particularly in "the avenues". It generally defines your property line. I don't understand why this is even being discussed since it's typical for urban and even most suburban areas in California.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Google shows our typically Californian redwood (or more recent lesser wood) fences more strongly than the chain link types seen back East.

Anyone ever getting into fence walking / running as a kid?

Good for developing balance skills!

[mayorhaggar]

I have no idea what you mean or where in SF you are looking at. Probably 60-70% of housing in SF is apartment buildings that are mainly right up next to one another, and houses in SF are mostly right up next to one another too. There aren't that many fences and if there are any they are usually decorative, maybe a short concrete barrier.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by mayorhaggar

I have no idea what you mean or where in SF you are looking at. Probably 60-70% of housing in SF is apartment buildings that are mainly right up next to one another, and houses in SF are mostly right up next to one another too. There aren't that many fences and if there are any they are usually decorative, maybe a short concrete barrier.

I imagine that they are seeing all the backyards surrounded by fences--I've never lived in a place with a backyard that wasn't fenced. One would obviously not see many houses with front fences since nobody has a front yard or much of a side yard.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by mayorhaggar

I have no idea what you mean or where in SF you are looking at. Probably 60-70% of housing in SF is apartment buildings that are mainly right up next to one another, and houses in SF are mostly right up next to one another too. There aren't that many fences and if there are any they are usually decorative, maybe a short concrete barrier.

In point of fact, beyond the central neighborhoods, nearly every home or residential building has at least some sort of back yard (unless it's been turned into parking). Certainly all the row houses do. Most of them have the typical California style redwood fence lines. Granted some of the fences especially on rental properties have seen better days / have rotted away / keeled over.

[mayorhaggar]

Ok if you are talking about backyards, sure. Houses and apartments are very close together so people like to have their personal space demarcated. SF doesn't have alleys everywhere like Chicago does.