Published August 16, 2026
A fence in Minnesota faces something most of the country does not: 42 inches of frost depth. Get the posts wrong and the nicest fence money can buy will be leaning in three years.
Cost per linear foot, installed
| Fence type | Per linear ft | 150 ft yard |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link, 4 ft galvanized | $18 – $30 | $2,700 – $4,500 |
| Chain link, 6 ft vinyl coated | $25 – $40 | $3,750 – $6,000 |
| Wood picket, 4 ft | $28 – $45 | $4,200 – $6,750 |
| Wood privacy, 6 ft treated pine | $35 – $60 | $5,250 – $9,000 |
| Wood privacy, 6 ft cedar | $45 – $80 | $6,750 – $12,000 |
| Vinyl privacy, 6 ft | $45 – $75 | $6,750 – $11,250 |
| Aluminum ornamental, 4 – 5 ft | $45 – $85 | $6,750 – $12,750 |
| Composite | $60 – $110 | $9,000 – $16,500 |
| Gates | $300 – $1,200 each | — |
Twin Cities planning ranges. Removing an existing fence adds $5 to $12 per linear foot.
The comparison
| Cedar | Treated pine | Vinyl | Chain link | Aluminum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifespan in MN | 20 – 30 yrs | 12 – 20 yrs | 25 – 35 yrs | 20 – 30 yrs | 40+ yrs |
| Maintenance | Stain every 3 – 4 yrs | Stain every 2 – 3 yrs | Wash | None | None |
| Privacy | Full | Full | Full | None | None |
| Cold brittleness | No | No | Yes — cracks on impact | No | No |
| Repairable | Board by board | Board by board | Panel sections | Easy | Section |
| Resale appeal | High | Moderate | Moderate | Low | High |
| Snow load tolerance | Good | Good | Fair | Excellent | Excellent |
Frost depth — the thing that decides everything
Twin Cities frost depth is 42 inches. Fence posts must be set below it, or the ground will lift them every winter and drop them every spring. That is what makes a fence lean.
Correct post setting here:
- Hole depth: 42 inches minimum (48 is better for gate and corner posts)
- 6 inches of gravel at the bottom for drainage — water under a post is what heaves it
- Concrete crowned above grade so water sheds away from the post rather than pooling
- Post diameter of at least 3x the post width in hole size
A contractor quoting 24 or 30 inch post holes is quoting a fence that will move. In a climate where a fence costs $8,000, that is the specification to ask about first.
Material notes for this climate
Cedar is the Minnesota default for privacy fencing and deserves it. It resists rot naturally, it stays dimensionally stable through the humidity swing, and it can be stained or left to silver. Board-by-board repair is easy. Budget for staining every three to four years or accept the grey.
Treated pine costs 25 to 35% less and lasts noticeably shorter. It also warps and twists more as it dries, which is why treated privacy fences look wavy after a few summers. Let it dry a few months before staining.
Vinyl has one genuine Minnesota weakness: it gets brittle in cold. A snowblower-thrown ice chunk, a sled, or a branch in a January storm can crack a panel where wood would just dent. It is otherwise excellent — no maintenance and a long life. Buy heavy-wall product from a supplier who can still sell you a matching panel in ten years.
Chain link is unglamorous and unbeatable on value and durability. For a dog run, a back property line, or anywhere privacy is not the point, it is the rational answer. Black vinyl-coated chain link visually disappears against a yard far better than galvanized.
Aluminum ornamental looks like wrought iron, never rusts, never needs paint, and lasts essentially forever. No privacy. It is the best-looking option for a front yard or a pool enclosure.
Permits, setbacks, and the neighbor conversation
Nearly every Twin Cities city requires a fence permit, and rules vary a lot:
- Maximum height is commonly 6 feet in rear and side yards, 3.5 to 4 feet in front yards
- Corner lots have sight-triangle restrictions at the intersection
- Some cities require the finished side to face out toward the neighbor and the street
- Setbacks from the property line vary — some require the fence to be inside your line, some allow it on the line
- Pool fencing has its own stricter requirements
Get a survey if you are not certain where your line is. Fences built over the line are the most common and most expensive neighbor dispute there is, and the remedy is moving the fence.
Also call 811 before digging. Free, and required.
What to ask every bidder
- How deep are the post holes? (Answer should be 42+ inches)
- Gravel at the bottom of each hole?
- Is concrete crowned above grade?
- What post spacing? (6 to 8 feet)
- Galvanized or stainless fasteners? (Regular fasteners bleed rust stains down cedar)
- Who pulls the permit?
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Twin Cities 2026 pricing. A ballpark only — access, soil, permits, and condition move the real number. Send it over and we'll price your actual project for free.