Gates in Mountain View fall into two groups. The first is the side-yard walk gate on a ranch or Eichler lot, usually wood, usually the part of the fence that fails first because it hangs on one post. The second is the driveway gate: a swing or slide gate in wood, steel or aluminum, with or without an operator. We build and hang both, and we fit operators, keypads, remotes and safety sensors on driveway and commercial gates.
The driveway decides the gate type. A swing gate needs clear, fairly level ground through its whole arc. A slide gate needs room along the fence line to roll back. On the hill lots in Los Altos Hills, Woodside and Portola Valley, long driveways and slopes often point to a slide gate or a pair of swing leaves that open uphill. Those towns also limit the height and openness of entry gates and columns, so the design is checked against the town rule before anything is fabricated.
Mountain View requires a building permit for a non-wood fence, and a metal gate with a powered operator will usually involve the Building Division as well. Power has to reach the gate, so tell us where the nearest panel or outlet is. We place the 811 ticket before digging for posts or conduit. If the gate hangs between heritage trees, the footing locations are set to stay off the main roots.
Gates & gate operators in Mountain View: common questions
Do I need a permit for a driveway gate in Mountain View?
Often yes. The city says non-wood fences, such as metal or masonry, need a building permit, and any fence over 6 feet needs a Planning permit. A powered operator adds electrical work. We check with the Community Development Department for your address before we quote.
Swing gate or slide gate: which is better for my driveway?
A swing gate is simpler and costs less to maintain when the driveway is level and there is room for the leaves to open. A slide gate suits a sloped driveway or a short apron where a swinging leaf would block the car. We measure the grade and the space on the site visit.
My wood side gate drags on the ground. Can it be fixed?
Usually. A dragging gate nearly always means the hinge post has leaned or the frame has dropped out of square. We reset or replace the post, add a diagonal brace and move the latch. If the frame itself has rotted, a new gate is the better spend.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We visit, measure and talk through options.
- Written quote: Clear pricing with material choices side by side.
- Permits & planning: We check local rules and help with permits before we dig.
- Install & clean-up: Our crew installs, cleans up and walks the finished fence with you.