Storm guide
What fence holds up best to hurricanes in Fort Lauderdale?
Updated October 2026
No fence is hurricane-proof, but open fences usually fare best. Aluminum picket and chain link let wind pass through, while solid vinyl and wood privacy fences catch it like a sail. In Fort Lauderdale, the bigger factor is how it is built: posts, footings and spacing designed for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Why do open fences do better?
Wind pushes on whatever surface it hits. An open picket or chain link fence presents very little surface, so most of the wind passes through. A solid 6-foot privacy fence presents its whole face. That load goes straight into the posts and footings, which is why solid fences are the ones you see leaning after a storm.
How do the materials compare in a storm?
| Fence | Wind exposure | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum picket | Low | Bracket and post connections |
| Chain link | Low, unless slatted | Slats turn it into a solid fence |
| Vinyl privacy | High | Post reinforcement and footing depth |
| Wood privacy | High | Rotted posts at ground level |
What does the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone mean for my fence?
Broward and Miami-Dade are the two counties in the Florida Building Code's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. In Fort Lauderdale that shows up in the fence permit:
- PVC and metal fences need plans signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed architect or engineer.
- Wood fences up to six feet can follow the code's prescriptive method, with posts 2 feet deep in 10-inch concrete footings.
- Premanufactured panels may need a product approval.
So which fence should I choose?
It depends on what the fence has to do.
Choose an open fence if…
- you want the best odds in high wind,
- you are fencing a pool or waterfront,
- privacy is not the main goal.
Choose a solid fence if…
- privacy matters most,
- you accept more storm risk,
- it is engineered and anchored for it.
Some homeowners mix the two: solid privacy where it matters, open aluminum along the rest.
How do I get a fence ready for hurricane season?
- Check posts for rot or movement at ground level before June 1, when the Atlantic hurricane season starts.
- Tighten loose hinges, brackets and screws.
- Trim branches that could fall on the fence.
- Remove privacy slats from chain link if they are designed to come out.
- Keep any pool barrier closed and latched before and after the storm.
Sources
Florida Building Code, Building, Chapter 16 (High-Velocity Hurricane Zone provisions for Broward and Miami-Dade counties); City of Fort Lauderdale Fence/Wall/Gate Permit Checklist (Rev. 5, February 2024). The material comparison is general guidance based on how wind loads act on open and solid surfaces. It is general information, not engineering advice.