Distance between posts - Picket height

[rongl]

I'm a new homeowner in a community with strict fence guidelines. I'm just beginning my research and have a few questions;

The fence required is the "Good Neighbor" type. 4x4 PT posts with 2x4 cedar rails on inside, 1x4 cedar rails on outside, and 1x6 cedar pickets. Stained, not painted.

Standard Fence Detail shows maximum 8 foot center post to center post. Doesn't that mean cutting 3-1/2 inches off every rail? Is this common practice, and is there a reason that it's not 8 foot between the posts to allow full 8 foot rails?

Also shown in the detail provided is maximum 6 foot height with fence 4-6 inches off the ground. This will also mean cutting 6 foot pickets 4 to 6 inches.

I've walked around and looked at (and measured) other fences. It seems nobody follows the detail exactly. So if I were to fudge a little bit, would I be better off going with a 6 foot 4 inch fence and not cutting pickets? Would I be better with going 8 foot 3 and a half inch center post to center post and not cutting rails? Or am I missing something that makes these requirements make sense, and waste less?

Thanks to anyone who could make this all make sense...

[lefty]

rongl,

Welcome to DoItYourself.com and the Fence forum.

I've dealt with strict POA rules or CC&R's. They don't always (or maybe "mostly never") make sense, but you deal with them.

"4X4 PT posts" -- you're going to be replacing the fence every 15 years or so. The posts will rot. That's why I don't stick wood in the ground. I use steel posts.

"2X4 cedar rails on inside, and 1X4 cedar rails on outside" -- WHOEVER designed this fence has never built one!! Your post spacing is ALWAYS lees than 8'. The top rail lays ON TOP OF the posts, and spans 3 posts. That way, you are using 16' long top rails, AND you are covering the top of the wood post to keep most of the rainwater from getting to the post and rotting it even faster than the dirt will.

"1X4 outside rail" -- WHAT'S THAT?? I've never seen a fence built with one.

The 6' height I understand. That's a wind load thing. At least around here, any fence taler than 6' would have to be engineered. But 4" to 6" off of the ground?? Is this to allow all the neighborhood cats (and small dogs) to roam unimpedded?? Back to my original statement -- "WHOEVER designed this fence has never built one!!"

[rongl]

Hi Lefty,

Thanks for the warm welcome, and for the humorous response (and for reminding me just how &#$@%! I am).