01 — Survey
Before you build, know the rules.
A backyard is a legal drawing before it is a lifestyle photo. Height, setbacks, and a permit question sit on the lot — whether you sketch them or not.
02 — Program
What are you building?
Hover a project. The lot highlights the structure. Every card is a path into typical rules, cost bands, and a calculator — not a legal opinion.
Fence
LowLines, height, and the neighbor conversation.
Deck
MediumHeight is the permit switch.
Shed
LowSize, setback, and whether it counts as a building.
Pergola
LowOpen sky, attached or not.
Retaining Wall
HighFour feet is a very common line.
Patio
LowAt-grade is the easy path.
Typical questions
- — Height at the property line
- — Front-yard vs. rear/side
- — Corner-lot sight triangles
- — Pool barrier rules
03 — Permit checker
Do I need a permit?
Pick a project and a state. You will get a typical pattern — not a yes stamped by a clerk. City pages exist so we can attach sources as they are verified.
Complexity
Low
Typical cost band
$12–$45
Unit
per linear foot
Often none for a standard-height rear/side fence; often yes for taller fences, front-yard fences, or work in easements. Always verify.
California cities tend to be specific about fence height in front yards, accessory-dwelling rules, and wildfire-adjacent building. State ADU law overlays local zoning — it does not erase building permits.
04 — Cost intelligence
Know the cost before the first cut.
National 2026 bands, labeled as estimates. Local labor, soil, and HOA upgrades will move the number. Calculators show the math.
Linear feet
Fence Calculator
Posts, panels, concrete, and a working cost band.
OpenFeet
Deck Calculator
Area, joists, and a cost band before you call a carpenter.
OpenFeet / inches
Concrete Calculator
Cubic yards and 80-lb bags, with waste.
OpenFeet / inches
Gravel Calculator
Tons and cubic yards for paths, pads, and base.
OpenInches / feet
Lumber Calculator
Board feet from actual dimensions.
OpenFeet / inches
Mulch Calculator
Cubic yards and 2 cu ft bags.
Open05 — Visual calculator
Change the fence. Watch the takeoff.
Length and height drive posts, panels, and bagged concrete. Cost is a labeled national band — not a contractor’s bid.
- Posts
- 11
- Panels / spans
- 10
- 80-lb bags
- 20
- Hole depth
- 2.0 ft
2026 U.S. typical band · labeled estimate
$1,120–$1,760
DIY materials
Installed $2,240–$3,840
06 — Location
Rules vary by location.
State → county → city. These pages hold patterns and a place to attach building-department sources as they are verified. Nothing here is your permit.
CA
California
Los Angeles · San Diego · San Jose
TX
Texas
Austin · Houston · Dallas
FL
Florida
Miami · Tampa
NY
New York
New York City · Buffalo
CO
Colorado
Denver
WA
Washington
Seattle
AZ
Arizona
Phoenix
NC
North Carolina
Charlotte
IL
Illinois
Chicago
GA
Georgia
Atlanta
07 — Projects
Popular projects
Fence
Lines, height, and the neighbor conversation.
$12–$45 per linear foot
Deck
Height is the permit switch.
$25–$75 per square foot
Shed
Size, setback, and whether it counts as a building.
$1,500–$12,000 per shed
Pergola
Open sky, attached or not.
$2,000–$15,000 per structure
Retaining Wall
Four feet is a very common line.
$30–$80 per face square foot
Patio
At-grade is the easy path.
$8–$40 per square foot
08 — Guides
Useful field notes
09 — Methodology
Trust, on purpose.
Regulations
We describe typical U.S. patterns and keep a slot for city, county, and code citations. Unverified numbers stay labeled as patterns.
Costs
Ranges are 2026 national bands from published contractor-cost literature and takeoff math — not a quote for your lot.
Calculations
Volume, posts, joists, board feet: dimensional formulas with visible assumptions. You can edit spacing, waste, and depth.
Updates
Each guide carries a last-reviewed date. Location pages are built to accept a source URL and a verification stamp.
Requirements vary by jurisdiction and by the specifics of a project. YardPermit publishes educational patterns and labeled estimates — not legal determinations, not construction documents, and not a bid. Verify with your local building department and a licensed contractor before you build.
10 — Begin
Build with fewer surprises.
Start with dimensions and choices. Leave with a takeoff, a permit-question list, and one scope every contractor can price.