Is aluminum the easiest fence to get past Jekyll Island Authority review?

It's usually the simplest, since a black or bronze open picket fence is about as non-invasive as it gets. We're subject to the residential design guidelines of the Authority, so height and location and finish can be factors, but usually if it's a low open fence that holds the dog in but doesn't seal you off from the forest, that's probably what they're aiming for.

Do you handle the submission?

Yes. We provide the drawings, sample of material, and finish color for review. Then, we submit those in with you. We don't set a post until we have the approval.

Can I put a pool fence on Jekyll?

You need a barrier if you have a pool. Jekyll is no different from the rest of the state in residential pool barrier requirements (min. 4', non-climbable, self closing, self latching gate). Aluminum picket meets the requirements and is probably the best design for being able to meet the guidelines of the Authority as well.

How do you protect aluminum from Jekyll's salt exposure?

In most Jekyll lots you'll get a combination of Atlantic and Jekyll River, which is salt. We don't pick and choose lot by lot. We use marine grade powder coat for all of Jekyll, which we specify. And all of our hardware is stainless or aluminum. Just need to do a fresh water rinse after storm.

Can you fence near the trees without damaging them?

Yes. In fact the maritime forest is protected here on Jekyll, and the Authority is very root conscious. We use aluminum because the panels rack so we can adjust a post a foot here and there to avoid a root without having a step in it that is easily seen. We hand dig around trunks and never cut a structural root without your prior knowledge.

What about getting material onto the island?

Aluminum's very lightweight so that most of the time we can move an entire fence all at once across Downing Musgrove Causeway. This allows us to minimize entry fees and street parking. We put it all on your property and set up the location of the truck for the first day before we get started.

Aluminum fencing on Jekyll Island: the open fence that fits a state park

When the guidelines favor fences that disappear into the forest, an open aluminum picket fence is usually the easiest answer.

Jekyll Island is a state park in the state of Georgia. The lots between Beachview Drive and Riverview Drive are leased from the Jekyll Island Authority. The JIA reviews exterior changes on these lots. The residential design guidelines of the JIA are towards quieter fences within the maritime forest, as opposed to large solid fences. So if you are like most Jekyll Island lease holders and even need a fence it's looking like aluminum is the way to go. A black or bronze 4' high picket fence is going to keep your dog in, if you have a pool you'll meet pool barrier requirements. It pretty much disappears against palmetto and live oaks.

Golden Isles Fencing & Excavation installs aluminum fence on Jekyll Island with consideration of the JIA review, saltwater exposure and protected trees. We are a family-owned, Christian-based company out of Brunswick, Ga. We design to what Jekyll Island will allow before we price.

Why aluminum tends to fit the guidelines

Well, we can't speak for the Authority. Everything has to follow the written guidelines but what we've seen is this. We've seen fences that are open (dark low key tone) and are not very tall. Also, they have to serve a function. So, open fencing, low tone and dark tones, not very tall and serve a function. Picket aluminum fits the bill. No solid face that blocks you from seeing the forest. Available in black or bronze (not bright white) and can be 4' tall and still serve a function. We draw the fence. Assemble the sample and color chip we are asked to do for review. Submit it with you. We don't put in the post until we get the approval.

Black aluminum fence and gate enclosing a covered carport slab beside a house — Aluminum panels closing in a carport slab, with the wood perimeter fence carrying on behind.

Pool barriers on a leased lot

A pool fence in Jekyll is the same fence as a pool anywhere in the state of Georgia. They are a minimum of four feet tall, no rails that a child can use as a step, picket spacing is small enough that a small child can't get through and a gate that opens away from the water, self closes, self latches and the latch is high. Aluminum picket is built to these specifications and is the most likely pool fence that will pass Authority review at the same time. We use a stainless spring hinge to hang the gate and a magnetic latch that withstands salt and humidity.

Salt from the ocean and the river

The houses are in a narrow band of the residential area bordered by the Atlantic on one side and the Jekyll River and marsh on the other and there aren't that many sheltered lots. Although aluminum won't rust, it's possible that you'll get pitting in a lot of salt if you have bare aluminum. And plated steel fasteners will rust quickly. We specify the marine grade powder coat on all work on Jekyll. We don't try to pick which lots are exposed. All our hinges, latches and fasteners are aluminum or stainless. Rinse the fence with the hose after a storm and it will look the same for decades.

Trees, dunes and the forest floor

The maritime forest around the homes of Jekyll is protected. The Authority is pretty controlling of tree removal and root disruption. With aluminum because of panel racking we can adjust post spacing to go around a big root and not create a visual step in the fence. We hand dig near the trunks. We will not cut structural roots without consulting with you. Ocean side the dunes are state shore protection and protected, no fence is allowed. We will not disturb them. When we are near undeveloped property on the lots we keep our equipment within the leased property.

Black aluminum fence with an arched gate along a tidal creek, a rainbow over the marsh behind it — Black aluminum fencing on a waterfront lot, set low enough to keep the marsh view.

Styles that suit Jekyll

Flat-top picket. 4 feet, 3 rails, black or bronze. That is the Jekyll standard of dogs and swimming pools.
Puppy picket. Tighten the bottom space a bit to accommodate small dogs.
Walk gates. Size for bike and beach cart clearance. Stainless hardware.
Short screens. When you need a little screening of pool equipment, aluminum can work with a small vinyl or wood "enclosure" to match your house.

Logistics on the island

Aluminum is light weight so most of the time you can run the entire fence in one trip across the Downing Musgrove Causeway, thereby minimizing the entrance fees as well as the impact on the narrow residential streets on Jekyll. We place everything on your lot. We pre-determine the truck and trailer placement. We can work around reservations if it is a rental house.

Getting started

Site visit. We look at the lot. The trees. The exposure. And what the fence will have to do.
Design to the guidelines. We make a recommendation on height, style and finish. That we think will pass. We will tell you why.
Submission. We take the drawings. We take the samples. To the Authority, with you.
Build. Hand dug footings when there are trees. Marine grade coating. Stainless. Gates tested.

For Jekyll, free estimates. Financing for larger jobs. Just let us know the street and what you need. We'll tell you what we can build on the island.

Aluminum fencing in Brunswick and on St. Simons

Off the island the rules and the ground change. Read about aluminum fencing in Brunswick, GA, aluminum fencing on St. Simons Island, and everything we do as a fence company on Jekyll Island.

Other options on Jekyll

Where some screening is wanted, see our vinyl fencing on Jekyll Island, wood fencing on Jekyll Island, fence repairs on Jekyll Island, and aluminum fencing service overview.

Black aluminum fence along a marsh-front lawn

Questions and answers

Common questions about aluminum fencing on Jekyll Island

Why aluminum is often the easiest fence to get approved on Jekyll, and what to know about it.

It's usually the simplest, since a black or bronze open picket fence is about as non-invasive as it gets. We're subject to the residential design guidelines of the Authority, so height and location and finish can be factors, but usually if it's a low open fence that holds the dog in but doesn't seal you off from the forest, that's probably what they're aiming for.
Yes. We provide the drawings, sample of material, and finish color for review. Then, we submit those in with you. We don't set a post until we have the approval.
You need a barrier if you have a pool. Jekyll is no different from the rest of the state in residential pool barrier requirements (min. 4', non-climbable, self closing, self latching gate). Aluminum picket meets the requirements and is probably the best design for being able to meet the guidelines of the Authority as well.

In most Jekyll lots you'll get a combination of Atlantic and Jekyll River, which is salt. We don't pick and choose lot by lot. We use marine grade powder coat for all of Jekyll, which we specify. And all of our hardware is stainless or aluminum. Just need to do a fresh water rinse after storm.
Yes. In fact the maritime forest is protected here on Jekyll, and the Authority is very root conscious. We use aluminum because the panels rack so we can adjust a post a foot here and there to avoid a root without having a step in it that is easily seen. We hand dig around trunks and never cut a structural root without your prior knowledge.
Aluminum's very lightweight so that most of the time we can move an entire fence all at once across Downing Musgrove Causeway. This allows us to minimize entry fees and street parking. We put it all on your property and set up the location of the truck for the first day before we get started.