A backyard pool is the heart of a California summer. You plan the deck, the loungers, the plants and the lights around it. But one part of the plan matters more than any finish you choose: the fence between the back door and the water. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports an average of 376 drownings a year of children under 15 in pools and spas (CPSC 2026). A code-compliant fence stops a child’s straight dash from the house to the pool. This guide covers six installers that serve Van Nuys and the San Fernando Valley, the rules your fence must meet, and what each material costs.
Why Pool Fencing Matters and California Pool-Barrier Rules
A compliant fence works with your supervision, swim lessons, alarms and covers. It blocks a child’s straight dash from the house to the water, and it keeps working on the day someone forgets to close the back door.
California’s pool safety law requires two of seven drowning-prevention features when a building permit is issued for a new pool or spa, or for a remodel of one, at a single-family home. The two-of-seven rule took effect on January 1, 2018. A pool enclosure, an approved safety cover and exit alarms on the house doors each count as one feature (California Health and Safety Code §115922).
In the City of Los Angeles, which includes Van Nuys, the pool enclosure must be at least 60 inches tall, with a gap of no more than 2 inches at the bottom (Los Angeles Municipal Code §91.3109.4.1). Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. Latch height and other gate details follow the California Building Code, so ask the building department for the current requirements before you approve a drawing.
Senate Bill 552, in effect since January 1, 2025, changed which pairs of devices count as two features. For example, an exit alarm and a self-closing latch on the same door now count as one feature, and so do a safety cover and a pool alarm. Choose your two features with care.
If you add only a fence, you will likely need a separate fence permit. Lead times, fees and inspection steps vary by parcel, so confirm every detail with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) before work begins.
Codes change, so written approval beats assumption every time.
How We Picked These Companies
We started with contractors that advertise pool-barrier work in Van Nuys and the wider Valley, then scored each name on six factors:
- Licensing and code documentation: 25 percent
- Pool-barrier specialization: 20 percent
- Local footprint or showroom: 15 percent
- Material range and customization: 15 percent
- Published process and warranty clarity: 15 percent
- Ability to tackle slopes, masonry or other tricky sites: 10 percent
Each company needed a California contractor license on public record and a website that describes its fence work. Our research drew only on public information, such as company websites, license records and product evaluation reports. We did not request quotes or test products, so the list reflects documented expertise, not hands-on reviews. Always check a license on the CSLB website before you hire.
1. Vinyl Fence Depot
Vinyl Fence Depot is the Valley fabricator that turns pool-safety code into a permanent vinyl or aluminum barrier. Fences and gates are custom-fabricated to order at its showroom, warehouse and fabrication facility on Oxnard Street in Van Nuys, so measurements and color control stay under one roof.
You can view samples in the Van Nuys or Santa Clarita showroom, or book a free on-site estimate. A project manager visits to design, measure and quote, and can show how a vinyl pool fence meets the Los Angeles 60-inch height rule. Before the visit, look through the company’s vinyl fencing options for Van Nuys and the nearby Valley cities.
Material depth is the draw. Vinyl Fence Depot uses US-made rigid PVC with titanium dioxide pigment and UV stabilizers, so the fence resists yellowing in the Valley sun. Styles include privacy, picket, pool and ranch rail, plus aluminum fencing when you prefer metal sightlines. Stocked materials mean a shorter wait, and most installs finish in one day.
Warranty terms are clear: a limited lifetime transferable warranty for residential projects, 30 years for commercial or multi-family work, and lifetime protection against discoloration. More than 20 years and thousands of Southern California installations back those terms. The company is licensed, insured and bonded under CSLB license 836988.
A detailed contract spells out the project, and a 10 percent deposit starts fabrication. At the estimate, ask for a drawing that shows fence height, bottom clearance and gate swing. Confirm who files the fence permit and who meets the inspector; those answers keep the schedule tight and the barrier compliant.
2. Guardian Pool Fence Systems
Guardian Pool Fence Systems makes removable mesh pool fences at its headquarters and factory on Aetna Street in Van Nuys. Mesh suits families who want a firm barrier during the week and an open deck for an adult party. The panels lift out of sleeves set in the deck, and the gate is self-closing, self-latching and key-locking, with a magnetic latch.
Transparency sets Guardian apart. Its Original and Premier fences hold an ICC-ES evaluation report (PMG-1798, June 2026) that confirms they conform to ASTM F2286, the standard for removable mesh pool fences. The report renews each year, so ask for the current copy and check that your model number appears on it. Guardian requires its installers to be certified on its system.
Los Angeles inspectors may want the fence in place for final approval, so plan the inspection date before you lift any panels. Ask which certified installer will do your job, and check that installer’s license on the CSLB website.
When you request a quote, ask for the product data sheet, the anchoring diagram and the written warranty. Then clear planters and furniture from the fence line. Mesh protects only the path you leave clear.
3. Superior Fence & Rail of West Los Angeles
Superior Fence & Rail of West Los Angeles is a locally owned fencing company based in Northridge, a short drive up the Valley from Van Nuys. Its Van Nuys page lists pool fencing among the fence types it installs, and it holds CSLB license 1106346 in the C-13 fencing class.
Aluminum is its pool-fence specialty. The company says it builds its aluminum panels in-house, sets picket spacing to meet the 4-inch gap requirement, and installs rails that clear 60 inches, to California’s pool barrier standard. It also says it handles the City of Los Angeles permit, which takes one of the slower steps off your list.
The aluminum lines are made in the USA and carry a SolarShield powder coating that meets the AAMA-2604 finish standard, a useful spec in the Valley sun. Every aluminum fence comes with the brand’s lifetime transferable warranty, and all products carry a three-year workmanship guarantee. The company is part of a national fence brand that started in 2001, so parts and product lines stay consistent from job to job.
If your yard also needs vinyl, wood, steel or chain link on other sides, the same crew can quote those runs, which keeps the whole perimeter on one contract.
Estimates are free. At the estimate, ask for a drawing that shows rail height, picket spacing and the gate swing, and confirm that the permit and the final inspection are both in the written scope.
4. GAGA US Construction
GAGA US Construction is a Glendale design-build contractor that lists glass pool enclosures among its services and serves Greater Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. It holds CSLB license 1074874 with B (general building) and C-13 (fencing) classes, so one contractor can handle the fence plus any footing, drainage or deck work under it.
Glass looks airy, but the structure below it matters. Ask for the panel thickness, the mounting method (spigots or a channel), the footing detail and the gate hardware specification. Confirm that the finished height clears the 60-inch Los Angeles minimum, and ask who pulls the permit and who meets the inspector.
GAGA also lists fence and gate repair, so ask how it handles hinge and latch adjustments after the install, and which parts carry a manufacturer warranty instead of a contractor warranty.
If clear views rank high on your wish list, a glass enclosure from a contractor that also handles the structure keeps the whole project under one contract.
5. LA City Glass
LA City Glass is a glazing contractor based in Marina del Rey. It lists glass pool fencing among its services and serves Los Angeles County, including the Valley communities of Sherman Oaks and Encino. It holds CSLB license 1111990 in the C-17 glazing class, so glass is its core trade.
Ask for a site visit and an itemized quote that lists panel count, hardware and permit drawings. An itemized bid lets you compare a glazing specialist line by line with a design-build contractor. Confirm that the company schedules work in Van Nuys, that every panel clears the 60-inch Los Angeles minimum, and who meets the inspector at the final walk-through.
Ask also how the warranty covers the glass, and how it covers the hinges and latches, which often carry their own manufacturer terms. For care, a soft cloth and mild soap keep tempered glass clear; avoid abrasive pads.
6. All County Fence and Gates
All County Fence and Gates is a fencing contractor based in Tarzana, next door to Van Nuys. It holds CSLB license 952680 in the C-13 fencing class, and directory listings describe its custom gates and privacy fences.
A fencing specialist suits a metal pool barrier that must match the rest of the yard, such as an iron or aluminum fence that continues a driveway gate design. Ask whether the crew builds pool enclosures to the Los Angeles rules: a 60-inch minimum height, no more than 2 inches of clearance at the bottom, and a self-closing, self-latching gate.
When you request a quote, ask for a drawing with the rail height, picket spacing and gate swing, the finish specification, and the written warranty on both the finish and the hardware. Confirm who pulls the fence permit and who meets the final inspector.
Pool Fence Materials Compared
Choosing the right pool fence material comes down to how you balance permanence, sightlines, upkeep and budget. The snapshot below pairs each option with its best-fit owner and the trade-offs you can expect.
| Material | Best fit | Sightlines / privacy | Upkeep & trade-offs |
| Vinyl / PVC | Homeowners who need a permanent barrier that matches house trim and resists rust | Moderate privacy with solid or picket styles | Rinse and wash with mild soap. Choose exterior-grade PVC with UV stabilizers. |
| Aluminum | Owners who prefer a wrought-iron look without the weight or rust | Open rails keep views clear, no privacy | Use compatible stainless or coated hardware to avoid galvanic corrosion; touch up scratches promptly. |
| Mesh | Families who want roll-up flexibility for parties | Fine netting softens the view yet stays see-through | Store panels carefully to prevent fraying; inspect sleeves each season. |
| Glass | Homeowners who want an uninterrupted view | Completely open view, no privacy | Clean with a non-abrasive cloth; check spigots yearly; watch for water spots on hard-water decks. |
| Wood / composite | Yards that call for warm texture or full privacy | Solid boards block all views | Reseal wood every few years; check composite boards for water damage. |
Choose the material first, then hire the installer best equipped to work with it, so your fence feels intentional, not tacked on.
General Pool-Fence Cost Ranges
When you price a pool fence, general installed averages run about $7 to $10 per linear foot for mesh, $15 to $40 for vinyl, $15 to $35 for aluminum, and $95 to $210 for glass (Fixr 2025). These are national estimates, not quotes, and Los Angeles labor rates can push them higher.
Footage tells only part of the story. Extra gates, sloped yards, drainage fixes, masonry footings and engineering can each add thousands. Insist on an itemized scope so you can compare bids line by line, and check which charges cover permits and final inspections in Van Nuys.
Frequently Asked Questions
How High Must a Pool Fence Be in Van Nuys?
Los Angeles requires a private-pool enclosure at least 60 inches tall, with no more than 2 inches of clearance at the bottom (LAMC §91.3109.4.1). On a sloped deck, every low spot must still clear 60 inches. Confirm latch height and gate details with LADBS before your inspection.
Does Every Existing California Pool Need Two Safety Features?
No. The two-of-seven rule applies when a building permit is issued for a new pool or spa, or for a remodel of one, at a single-family home. An older pool that is not being rebuilt is not covered (Health and Safety Code §115922). Adding a compliant fence still lowers drowning risk and can make a future remodel simpler.
Is a Permit Required to Add or Replace a Pool Fence?
In most cases, yes. A fence that serves as the pool enclosure usually needs its own permit and inspection in Los Angeles. Confirm the permit type, fees and inspection steps with LADBS before you schedule the crew.
Choosing Your Pool Fence Installer
Gather three itemized bids that spell out footage, gates, hardware, permits and cleanup, then check each license on the CSLB website to confirm it is active and carries workers’ compensation coverage. Ask who files the permit, meets the inspector and pays any re-inspection fee.
A pool fence goes beyond curb appeal: it is a visible safety promise. The six installers here keep that promise in different ways. Vinyl Fence Depot fabricates permanent vinyl and aluminum, Guardian Pool Fence Systems builds removable mesh, Superior Fence & Rail of West Los Angeles builds aluminum, GAGA US Construction and LA City Glass work in glass, and All County Fence and Gates builds custom fences and gates.
Match the material to your lifestyle, collect written bids, and close the self-latching gate yourself before you release the final payment. If it does not click, the job is not finished.
