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Maintenance-Free Outdoor Solutions installs vinyl, aluminum, steel and composite fence on the older lots of University City, Missouri. Fences here go in the rear and side yards only, any replacement longer than ten feet needs a permit, and a century of building means the digging is rarely just soil.
University City is not a subdivision, and a fence here is not a subdivision job. The housing stock runs to brick homes from the 1920s and 1930s on narrow lots, many with an alley at the back and mature trees along the property line.
The lines are old, the grades have settled, and the ground has been dug before. We walk the run before we quote it, because on a lot like this the difference between a clean install and a problem is usually something you find in the first two feet.
Why Customers Choose Maintenance-Free Outdoor Solutions
On a University City lot the constraint is usually width rather than slope. Narrow side yards, a garage set back to an alley, and a tree canopy older than the fence all limit where a line can run.
Root systems matter most. We set the layout around established trees rather than through them, because a post hole cut through a major root is a problem for the tree first and the fence later.
- Rear And Side Yards Only. University City does not allow a standard residential fence in the front yard, so placement gets settled before anything is ordered. We check it against your plot plan and the building line.
- 25 Years To Lifetime Warranties. All our vinyl fencing products carry at least 25-year manufacturing warranties, most of them lifetime.
- Installed By Our Own Crews. Your fence is built by our own people rather than handed to a subcontractor. The crew that quotes it is the crew that stands behind it.
- We Handle The Permit. New fence, replacement fence, or any replaced section over ten feet. We prepare and file it as part of the installation.
- We Dig Made Ground Every Week. Much of the city sits on ground built up over a century, so a post hole can find old foundation or buried rubble. Our hard hole policy keeps that risk with us.
- Financing Available. Financing through Synchrony for qualified buyers.
Which Fence Type Fits Your University City Property?
We install vinyl, aluminum, steel and composite fence across University City, from the older residential streets through to the apartment and rental blocks nearer the Loop. The city code asks that fence material be designed and intended for fence use, which all four are.
For rental and multi-family owners the calculation is different from a single home. A fence that never needs painting is worth more when nobody is going to paint it.
What Fence Styles Are Popular for University City Homes and Businesses?
With so many historic homes and tree-lined streets here, style and longevity both matter. Backyard privacy fences in vinyl are a favorite for families wanting seclusion without yearly staining.
Decorative aluminum suits the classic Tudor and Georgian properties beautifully, offering an elegant look that complements older architecture. We also install pool fencing that meets safety codes and HOA-friendly designs for the neighborhood subdivisions that have their own guidelines.
A Clear Fence Installation Process for University City Properties
Every University City fence runs through the same sequence, and the permit step is real work rather than a formality. You will know what stage the project is at and what is waiting on the city.
Free
Estimate
We begin with a complimentary property visit to learn more about your fencing needs and answer any questions.
Onsite
Evaluation
During our assessment, we review the landscape, property layout, grade variations, and access considerations.
Custom Design & Quote Presentation
You’ll receive a tailored fence design and a detailed project estimate customized for your property.
Permit and Placement Check
We check placement against your plot plan and the front building line, then prepare and file the University City permit.
Precision Installation & Scheduling
After approvals are finalized, we schedule your installation and complete the work with exceptional care.
Property Cleanup & Final Handoff
We clean the worksite thoroughly and conduct a final walkthrough before turning the project over to you.
What Should You Know About University City Fence Rules?
University City requires a building permit for a new fence, for a replacement fence, and for replacing any section longer than ten feet. Repairs shorter than that count as minor and need no permit, which is worth knowing before you decide how much of an old fence to pull out.
In residential districts fences are permitted in the rear and side yards only. Six feet is the maximum in a required side or rear yard, and posts may sit up to six inches above that, including any cap or ornament on top.
Front yards are the exception rather than the rule here. The only thing permitted in front is a low fence or wall up to eighteen inches, and only to protect planting.
Corner lots get their own allowance. A fence may run between the side of the house and the street right of way line, and it may sit on that line, but it cannot come forward of the front building line. Through lots are treated by use, so the yard that functions as the rear is the one that can be fenced.
Pools must be enclosed to the University City building code. We confirm every placement against your plot plan before anything is ordered.
What Do University City Customers Say?
Our customers consistently mention the same things: our attention to detail, our reliable communication, and the quality work of our in-house installation crews. We do not subcontract our jobs, which is why so many homeowners trust us and recommend us to neighbors. Read their stories and see why our reputation speaks for itself.
We hold a 4.7 star average on Google. Read the reviews on Google.
★★★★★
Our fence installation team of Shane, Andrew and RJ were highly skilled and great to work with. Even when we threw them a last minute design change, they quickly came up with a perfect solution and integrated it into the finished design. We love our new fence.
Aaron PayneGoogle review
★★★★★
Shane and Red were great. They did a thorough job installing our fence. I would highly recommend MFOS, Shane and Red!
Scott BiermanGoogle review
★★★★★
We are so very happy with MFOS. They did a fantastic job on our fence and completed the job on time. They were on time and very professional. This is the second time we have used them to install a fence for us. Excellent company to work with.
Debbie YoungloveGoogle review
What Does a Fence Cost in University City?
University City pricing follows the usual drivers, length, height, material and access, with two local factors that show up here more than elsewhere.
The first is the ground. Much of the city sits on made ground built up over a century, so a post hole can find old foundation, cinder or buried rubble rather than clean silt. Our hard hole policy keeps that risk with us rather than putting it on your invoice. The second is access. A narrow side yard or an alley approach changes how material reaches the line, and we price what the site actually allows.
For current per-foot ranges by style and height, see our 2026 vinyl fence pricing guide, or the guides for pool fencing and aluminum. Then we measure the run on site and hand you a fixed written number, at no charge.
Fence Planning FAQs
Call 636-464-1144 if you want the rules checked against your own lot. University City placement turns on where the front building line falls and which yard counts as the rear, and that is quicker to settle on the phone than in writing.
Do I need a permit to install a fence in University City?
Yes, for a new fence, a replacement fence, or any replaced section longer than ten feet. A repair under ten feet does not need one. We prepare and file the permit as part of the installation.
What is the tallest fence I can build in my backyard?
Six feet in a required side or rear yard. Posts may run up to six inches higher than the fence itself, including any cap or finial, so a six foot fence with a decorative post top is still compliant.
Can I put a fence in my front yard in University City?
Only a low one, up to eighteen inches, and only to protect landscaping. Residential fences otherwise go in the rear and side yards. On a corner lot you can fence between the side of the house and the right of way line, as long as it does not come forward of the front building line.
What if I only replace part of my fence?
If the section you are replacing is longer than ten feet it needs a permit and it has to meet current code. Shorter than that counts as a minor repair. Worth measuring before you decide, because the answer changes the paperwork.
Ready to Plan Your Fence Project?
Ready to enjoy a beautiful, worry-free fence? Request your free estimate today and let our family-owned team show you why neighbors trust us.