Vienna and Falls Church share a specific fencing problem: mature neighbourhoods, generous houses, and lot lines close enough that the neighbour's second-floor window looks straight into your patio. Privacy is the whole point of the fence, and not every style labelled "privacy fence" delivers much of it.
This guide covers the four styles we install most in these two markets, what each costs in 2026, how long each lasts, and the height and HOA rules that decide what is actually buildable on your line.
The four styles, compared
| Style | 2026 installed cost per linear ft | Lifespan | Privacy | Neighbour-facing side |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board-on-board, cedar | $48 – $78 | 20 – 30 yrs | Complete | Identical both sides |
| Shadowbox, pressure-treated pine | $34 – $52 | 12 – 18 yrs | Partial | Identical both sides |
| Solid stockade, pressure-treated | $28 – $46 | 10 – 15 yrs | Complete | Rails visible one side |
| Vinyl privacy panel | $52 – $88 | 30 – 50 yrs | Complete | Identical both sides |
| Horizontal cedar, modern | $65 – $110 | 20 – 30 yrs | Complete | Rails visible one side |
For a typical 150 linear foot back-and-sides run in Vienna, that puts board-on-board cedar at $7,200 – $11,700 and vinyl at $7,800 – $13,200 installed.
Board-on-board cedar — the default for these markets
Vertical boards mounted alternately on both sides of the rail, overlapping so there is no gap at any viewing angle. It is what most Vienna and Falls Church homeowners end up choosing, for three reasons: it gives complete privacy, it looks the same from both sides so the neighbour has nothing to object to, and cedar handles NoVA humidity without the cupping that pine develops.
It is not the cheapest. It is the one that still looks right in year fifteen.
Shadowbox — the compromise
Same alternating construction as board-on-board but with a deliberate gap, so you get airflow and a softer look at the cost of partial privacy. Standing straight on you see very little; standing at an angle you see through it. That is a real trade-off on a lot where the neighbour's deck sits at an angle to your patio.
Shadowbox is a good answer when the goal is defining a boundary and screening a view rather than absolute privacy, and it survives wind better than a solid fence.
Solid stockade — the budget option
Boards butted edge to edge on one side of the rails. Cheapest per foot and completely private, but the rails and posts are visible from one side, which means someone is looking at the structural side. On a shared property line that conversation is worth having with the neighbour before installation, not after.
Pressure-treated pine also moves more than cedar. Expect some cupping and gapping by year five unless it is sealed and maintained.
Vinyl — the low-maintenance choice
Highest up-front cost, longest life, and effectively zero maintenance beyond hosing it down. It never needs stain. It also never develops any character, and in older Vienna and Falls Church neighbourhoods it can read as out of place next to wood fences and mature trees.
Vinyl makes the most sense on a long run where the maintenance burden of wood is the real concern, and on a lot where you plan to stay long enough for the lifespan to pay back.
Horizontal cedar — the design choice
Boards run horizontally on a heavier post structure. It reads modern and it photographs beautifully, which is why it shows up on renovated contemporary homes. It costs the most, needs the straightest posts and the most careful installation, and it shows any settling immediately because every line is horizontal.
Height rules and setbacks
This is where projects get redesigned, so check before you design.
- Town of Vienna: rear and side yard fences are generally limited to 7 feet; front yard fences are limited far lower, typically 4 feet. Corner lots have their own sight-triangle restrictions at the intersection.
- City of Falls Church: similar rear and side limits with a lower front yard cap, and corner lot sight distance requirements apply.
- Fairfax County (unincorporated areas near both): fences over 7 feet require a building permit. Under 7 feet generally does not, though zoning setbacks still apply.
- Corner lots are the most commonly misjudged. The sight triangle at the intersection restricts height regardless of what the rest of the fence is allowed to be.
- Right of way. In older Vienna and Falls Church neighbourhoods the public right of way frequently extends several feet past the sidewalk into what looks like your front lawn. Fencing inside it is a removal order waiting to happen.
Rules change, and the two municipalities differ from the county. Confirm current limits with your specific jurisdiction before ordering material. Our Fairfax County fence permit guide covers the county process in detail.
The HOA layer
Many Vienna and Falls Church neighbourhoods have covenants stricter than the municipal code, and the covenant wins. The common ones:
- Approved materials only, sometimes excluding vinyl entirely
- Approved stain colours, or a requirement that the fence be left natural
- A maximum height below what the municipality allows
- A requirement that the finished side face outward
- Advance architectural review, with submission windows that can add 30 to 60 days
Submit the architectural review before you schedule installation, not alongside it. A denied application after material is ordered is an expensive lesson.
Where the money actually goes
Beyond material and linear footage, four things move a fence quote:
Grade change. A fence on a slope is either stepped, which leaves triangular gaps at the bottom of each panel, or racked, which follows the grade continuously. Racking costs more and only some styles allow it. Board-on-board racks well; vinyl panels generally do not.
Post setting. Posts belong in concrete below frost depth, which in NoVA means 30 to 36 inches. Shallow-set posts are the single most common reason a fence leans within five years.
Gates. Each gate runs $350 – $1,100 depending on width and hardware. A double gate wide enough for a mower or a mini-excavator is worth specifying now — retrofitting one later means rebuilding a section.
Removal of the old fence. $6 – $14 per linear foot including disposal, and more if the old posts were set deep in concrete.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best privacy fence for Northern Virginia?
Board-on-board cedar for most homeowners. It gives complete privacy, looks identical from both sides so it avoids neighbour disputes, and cedar handles NoVA humidity far better than pressure-treated pine. Vinyl is the better choice if zero maintenance matters more than appearance.
How much does a privacy fence cost in Vienna or Falls Church?
Board-on-board cedar runs $48 – $78 per linear foot installed. A typical 150-foot run lands at $7,200 – $11,700. Vinyl runs $52 – $88 per foot, and budget stockade runs $28 – $46.
How tall can a privacy fence be?
Rear and side yard fences are generally capped around 7 feet in Vienna, Falls Church, and Fairfax County, with much lower limits in front yards and additional sight-triangle restrictions on corner lots. HOA covenants are frequently stricter, and confirming current limits with your own jurisdiction before ordering material is worth the phone call.
Which side of the fence faces the neighbour?
Board-on-board, shadowbox, and vinyl all look identical from both sides, which removes the question. Stockade and horizontal styles have a structural side, and many HOAs require the finished side to face outward. Check the covenant before choosing one of those two.
How long does a cedar privacy fence last in NoVA?
Twenty to thirty years with periodic sealing, roughly fifteen without. Posts fail before boards do, which is why setting them in concrete below frost depth matters more than any other installation detail.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Fairfax County?
Fences over 7 feet require a building permit in Fairfax County. Under that height generally does not, though zoning setbacks and corner lot sight requirements still apply. Vienna and Falls Church administer their own rules separately from the county.
Get your fence line walked
Grade change, property line location, and corner sight triangles all get settled by standing on the line with a tape measure. Guessing at any of them is how fences end up rebuilt.
Book a free site visit and we will walk the line, confirm what your jurisdiction and HOA allow, and put styles and prices in writing within 48 hours.
We install fences across Vienna, Falls Church, Oakton, Fairfax, and the rest of the 18 NoVA cities we serve.
