"My fence is leaning"
A leaning section almost always comes down to the posts. Common causes are posts that weren't set deep enough, concrete footings that cracked or heaved, soil that stays wet from sprinklers, and wind loading on solid privacy panels, which act like a sail. Utah County is in the energy code's climate zone 5B, which has real winters, and repeated freezing and thawing of wet soil around shallow posts can push them out of line over time.
If one or two posts are the problem, they can often be reset or replaced without replacing the whole fence. If a long run is leaning the same way, ask the contractor to check post depth, footing condition and whether the panels are too heavy for the posts that hold them.
"The posts are rotting at the ground"
Wood posts usually rot right at or just below the soil line, where they stay damp. Concrete collars that trap water against the wood, sprinklers that spray the fence line, and soil piled up against the boards all speed it up. Options include replacing posts with better-rated wood, switching to steel posts behind wood boards, or moving to vinyl. Ask any contractor which they recommend for your yard and why.
"My vinyl panels pop out" or "my gate sags"
Vinyl panels that slip out of their rails after a windstorm often point to posts that have moved or panels that weren't secured. A sagging gate usually means the hinge post is undersized or loose, or the gate frame needs bracing. Gates take the most abuse on any fence, so ask how the gate posts will be set and what hardware will be used.
"How tall can my fence be in Lehi?"
Under Lehi City's Development Code, fences, walls and hedges generally can't exceed six feet. A fence of up to eight feet can be allowed as an exception when grade differences or safety call for it, with review and approval by the city. In residential districts, fences on the front property line, within 15 feet of it, or along a street-side side yard are limited to 36 inches, though a corner lot can have a six-foot fence in the street-side side yard if it stays out of the intersection's clear view area. Fences also have to step around utility boxes with working clearance or provide an access gate.
"Do I need HOA approval?"
Many Lehi neighborhoods have HOAs with their own fence rules on style, color, material and height. Those rules sit on top of the city's rules, so get your HOA's written approval before you order materials. A good contractor will ask whether you have an HOA before quoting.
"Who calls Blue Stakes?"
In Utah, the party who actually does the digging must submit the Blue Stakes locate request; a homeowner or general contractor can't call it in for them. Blue Stakes says notice must be given at least three business days, but not more than 14 calendar days, before digging. If you hire a fence contractor, ask them to confirm they submitted their own request.
Words to use when you call
No trade terms needed. Tell the contractor things like:
- "The back fence leans toward the neighbor's yard after the wind."
- "Two posts wiggle when I push on them."
- "The bottoms of the posts are soft and crumbly."
- "The gate drags on the ground and won't latch."
- "Our HOA only allows tan vinyl, six feet."
Ask before you sign
- How deep will you set posts, and how will you set the gate posts?
- Wood, steel or vinyl posts: which do you recommend for my yard and why?
- Will the new fence meet Lehi's height rules for my lot, including near the front and street side?
- Who submits the Blue Stakes request, and when?
- What does your workmanship warranty cover?
Get your free, exact quote
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Sources checked 2026-11-02: Lehi City Development Code, Chapter 12: Development Standards (fences); Blue Stakes of Utah: FAQs; IRC Table N1101.7 climate zones by county (UpCodes).