Site ConditionSloped yard with multiple terraces and large wooden retaining walls
CompletedNovember 2025
A Sloped, Wooded Yard That Needed Containment Without Losing Its Character
The homeowners on this Crownsville property needed to contain pets and children across a heavily sloped, terraced yard without making the wooded Anne Arundel County property feel closed in.
A standard fence layout would have struggled on this terrain. Multiple retaining walls and elevation changes meant the fence couldn’t simply follow a straight string line.
A three-rail split-rail fence with welded wire infill solved both problems. The split-rail profile kept the wooded property feeling open, while the welded wire added reliable containment.
Every section had to be individually laid out to keep the rails visually consistent and prevent gaps along the changing grade.
Two Custom Gates Built for Different Conditions Along the Same Fence Line
Sloped yards place uneven stress on gates, which is why poorly built gates often begin to sag within a few years.
The main entry gate features an arched top with vertical pickets for a more finished appearance at the yard entrance.
The second gate uses a full Z-brace configuration designed specifically for the sloped opening. The diagonal brace helps transfer weight back toward the hinge side, keeping the gate aligned and operating smoothly over time.
Following the Grade Without Creating Gaps or Uneven Lines
Like many wooded properties in Crownsville, the site included clay-heavy soil, retaining walls, and mature tree roots, all of which had to be considered during layout and post placement.
We stepped the fence rather than continuously angling it along the slope. That approach kept the rail lines cleaner and prevented larger gaps beneath the fence that would weaken containment.
The welded wire was attached to the inside face of the rails so it remained visually subtle from the yard.
Project Gallery
The Finished Installation
The completed fence follows the property’s terrain naturally rather than cutting across it awkwardly. From inside the yard, the split-rail profile blends into the wooded backdrop while the dark welded wire visually recedes behind the structure.
More importantly, the installation functions as intended. The perimeter safely contains pets and children across the full slope, both gates remain properly aligned along the grade, and the property retains the open character that originally made the lot appealing.
This is where experienced layout work matters most. On complicated terrain, the difference between an average installation and a well-planned one becomes visible long after the crew leaves the site.
Planning a Split-Rail Fence in Crownsville or Central Maryland?
All Around Fence & Decks installs split-rail fencing throughout Crownsville, Arnold, Pasadena, and surrounding Anne Arundel County communities. Sloped lots, retaining walls, wooded properties, and difficult grade transitions are a regular part of our work. Those conditions are addressed during the planning stage — not discovered halfway through the installation.
Every project starts with an owner-led site visit. Jeremy or Jim Ver Hoef evaluates the terrain, confirms layout feasibility, identifies permit requirements, and builds the estimate around the actual property conditions rather than satellite imagery or rough measurements.
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Family-owned and owner-operated. Licensed and insured in Maryland. Serving Crownsville, Arnold, Pasadena, Severna Park, and surrounding communities in Anne Arundel County.
Frequently Asked Questions — Split-Rail Fencing in Crownsville, MD
Does a split-rail fence work for pet containment?
Yes — with welded wire infill. A split-rail fence alone has openings large enough for most dogs and children to pass through. Adding a welded wire mesh panel to the inside of the rails closes those gaps without changing the fence’s appearance from a distance. This is the standard approach for a split-rail fence on a pet owner’s or family property.
How do you handle a gate on a sloped yard?
We build a Z-braced gate structure, sized specifically for the opening’s slope angle. The diagonal brace runs from the bottom hinge corner to the top latch corner, distributing the gate’s weight to resist sag over time. Standard square-frame gates on a slope will go out of true within a few years. The Z-brace keeps the gate square regardless of where it’s hung on the grade.
Do I need a permit for a split-rail fence in Anne Arundel County?
Generally no. A split-rail fence is typically 3–4 feet tall, well under the county’s 6-foot permit threshold. Exceptions apply for corner lots, waterfront properties, and pool installations. When a permit is required, applications go through the Land Use Navigator system online. We handle the permit as part of our standard service, including calling 811 at least two full business days before any digging begins, as required by Maryland law.
How long does pressure-treated split-rail fence last?
15–20 years is a reasonable range in Maryland’s climate. The horizontal rails are the first part of a split-rail to show wear, since they’re in contact with moisture more than vertical boards. We use pressure-treated stock on all rails. If the rails start to soften at the mortise points before the posts fail, individual rails can be replaced without pulling the whole fence.
