How wide should a pedestrian gate be and what are the standard sizes available in BC?

A standard pedestrian gate should be 36-42 inches (3-3.5 feet) wide for comfortable everyday use, though gates are available in widths from 30 inches up to 72 inches as double pedestrian gates. The right width depends on how you'll use the gate, accessibility requirements, and whether you need to move equipment like lawnmowers or wheelbarrows through the opening.

36 inches (3 feet) is the most common pedestrian gate width in Metro Vancouver and across BC. This width accommodates comfortable single-person passage, allows standard wheelbarrows and lawnmowers through, and matches the width of most residential walkways and paths. It's the default width most fence contractors will quote unless you specify otherwise, and pre-built gate kits from BC lumber yards and building supply stores are most commonly stocked in 36-inch and 42-inch widths.

42 inches (3.5 feet) is increasingly popular and recommended for several reasons. It provides more comfortable passage when carrying groceries, garbage bins, or garden supplies. It allows two people to pass through simultaneously in a pinch. And it provides a buffer if the gate frame or hinges slightly reduce the clear opening — a 42-inch gate typically gives 39-40 inches of clear passage after accounting for hinge hardware and the latch side.

Accessibility requirements may dictate wider gates. The BC Building Code and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA B651) require a minimum clear opening of 850mm (approximately 34 inches) for wheelchair accessibility. However, a 36-inch clear opening is the practical minimum for comfortable wheelchair use, and 42 inches is strongly recommended. If you're building a gate for an accessible path — or if anyone in your household uses a wheelchair, walker, or mobility scooter — plan for at least 42-48 inches of clear opening width. "Clear opening" means the usable width after subtracting hinge and latch hardware.

Standard gate sizes available from BC suppliers typically include 30-inch (tight spaces, secondary access only), 36-inch (standard pedestrian), 42-inch (wide pedestrian, recommended), 48-inch (extra-wide, accessible), and 60-72-inch double pedestrian gates (two leaves that open from the centre). Pre-built cedar and pressure-treated gate panels are stocked by most Metro Vancouver lumber yards in 36-inch and 42-inch widths, in heights of 4, 5, and 6 feet. Vinyl gate panels are available in similar sizes from manufacturers like Bufftech, ActiveYards, and CertainTeed, typically stocked at vinyl fence suppliers in the Lower Mainland.

Custom widths are common in Metro Vancouver fence projects. Most fence contractors build gates on-site to match your exact fence style, height, and desired width. Custom-built gates ensure the gate matches your fence panels perfectly in board spacing, style, and colour — something pre-built gates from a different manufacturer may not achieve. Custom gates cost $200-$600 for pedestrian sizes, compared to $50-$200 for pre-built panels (hardware not included).

Gate post spacing must account for hardware. When planning your gate opening, remember that the actual opening between posts needs to be 2-4 inches wider than the finished gate to accommodate hinges on one side and the latch on the other. For a 36-inch gate, set your posts at 38-40 inches apart. For a 42-inch gate, 44-46 inches between posts. Your fence contractor will handle this automatically, but it's important to understand if you're planning the fence layout yourself.

Height should match your fence. Pedestrian gates in Metro Vancouver are almost always built to match the adjacent fence height — typically 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in rear and side yards, consistent with municipal height restrictions across Metro Vancouver municipalities. Gates taller than the fence look awkward and may trigger bylaw concerns. Gates shorter than the fence compromise privacy and security.

A well-built pedestrian gate with quality hardware costs $200-$600 installed in cedar or pressure-treated wood, including the gate frame, matching boards, heavy-duty hinges, a thumb latch or ring latch, and a self-closing mechanism if desired. Vinyl pedestrian gates run $300-$500, and aluminum ornamental gates cost $400-$800. These prices assume the gate posts are already installed as part of the fence — standalone gate posts add $150-$300 per post.

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