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Security gates · Galveston County, TX

Security Gate Installation in Galveston, TX

A security gate decides who gets onto the property. It is a strong gate on posts sized for it, plus a lock or operator that holds it shut and a controlled way to open it. Choose it by who uses the entrance, then plan the walk gate, the controls and the local limits around it.

  • Reviewed Sept 26, 2026
  • Sources: UL 325 (DASMA), ASTM F2200, City of Galveston LDR, 2021 IFC
  • Interactive gate planner
Call (346) 910-8641Plan your gate
Black steel picket slide gate across a paved drive, with a solar panel on a post above the gate operator
A steel slide gate with a solar-powered operator, from recent work.
The short answer

Choose a security gate by who uses the entrance. UL 325 sorts vehicle gate operators into four classes: homes, public-facing sites such as apartments and stores, industrial sites closed to the public, and guarded restricted sites. An automated gate must be built to ASTM F2200 with a UL 325 operator. It needs a separate walk gate, controls at least 6 ft from the gate and at least two warning signs. In Galveston, fences top out at 8 ft. Barbed or razor wire visible from a public street is only allowed for uses such as utility, industrial and agricultural properties.

4UL 325 classes of vehicle gate operator, by the kind of site
6 ftMinimum distance from the gate to its activation controls
2Minimum warning signs at an automated gate
8 ftMaximum fence or wall height in Galveston (residential and nonresidential)

Sources: DASMA TDS 353 (UL 325); City of Galveston LDR §2.501 and §2.601.

What makes a gate a security gate

  • A strong leaf on the right posts. Steel, aluminum or heavy chain link, on gate posts sized to the leaf width. See steel, iron and chain link gates.
  • A lock or operator that holds it shut. Manual gates get a lockable latch, hinges that can’t be lifted off from outside, and a drop rod on double gates. Automated gates are held by the operator.
  • A controlled way in. A keypad, card reader, remote or telephone entry. See gate automation and access control and keypad vs. remote.
  • A separate walk gate. People shouldn’t use the vehicle gate. The operator standard requires separate pedestrian access wherever people are likely to walk in.
  • A matching fence. A gate only secures what the fence around it closes off. See residential security fencing and commercial fencing.

Security gate planner

Tell us who uses the entrance and where it is. You’ll see the UL 325 class an operator must be listed for, what the automation standards add, the height and top-of-fence limits in the City of Galveston, and whether the fire department needs to see the plans.

Class IIUL 325 OPERATOR CLASS
Site
Build
Height

Classes: UL 325 as quoted in DASMA TDS 353. Automation: ASTM F2200 and UL 325 (the City adopted 2021 IRC Appendix AO, Ord. 23-012); DASMA TDS 353 (separate pedestrian access, controls at least 6 ft from the gate, at least two warning signs, monitored entrapment sensors); F2200 slide and swing items as printed in the LiftMaster CSL24UL and CSW24UL manuals. Heights and wire: City of Galveston LDR §2.501 and §2.601. Fire: 2021 IFC §501.3 (City Ord. 23-013). A planning aid, not a permit decision.

Plan view of a driveway entrance from the street. A slide gate closes the drive and opens along the fence to the left, driven by an operator. Photo eyes cross the opening. A keypad pedestal stands at least 6 feet in front of the gate. A separate swinging walk gate sits to the right. Warning signs are on both sides. Notes say to leave room for a car to wait off the street and that fire lane gate plans go to the fire department first STREET ≥ 6 FT Slide gate opens along the fence (keep this strip clear) Operator PHOTO EYES Keypad or reader Separate walk gate for people, never the vehicle gate ▮ warning signs, both sides If this drive is a fire lane or fire apparatus access road, the gate plans go to the fire department first (IFC 501.3) Room for a car to wait off the street
A-1
DrawingA secured vehicle entry, in plan
BasisDASMA TDS 353 (UL 325): separate pedestrian access, controls ≥ 6 ft from the gate, ≥ 2 warning signs, monitored sensors; 2021 IFC §501.3. Not to scale
ScaleNot to scale
The parts of a secured entry: the vehicle gate, a keypad set back from it, sensors across the opening, a separate walk gate, signs on both sides, and room for a car to wait off the street.
Black ornamental metal gate with circle details fitted tight against a brick wall
An ornamental metal gate fitted to a brick wall, from a project in Kemah.
Chain link double gate closing a gravel drive into a commercial lot with parked vehicles
A chain link double gate at a commercial lot entrance, from a project in Baytown.
Galvanized chain link gate and fence with angled barbed wire arms beside a commercial building and yellow bollards
A galvanized chain link gate with barbed wire arms at a commercial building, from recent work.

UL 325 operator classes

ClassWhere it’s usedWhat it means for the gate
IGarages or parking areas of a home for one to four single familiesResidential operator; still F2200 construction and a separate walk gate where people walk in
IICommercial or public-facing sites: apartments of five or more units, hotels, garages, storesExpect visitors, deliveries and pedestrians: plan the walk gate, signs and control placement with them in mind
IIIIndustrial sites such as factories or loading docks, not open to the publicHeavier-duty gates and operators; fewer untrained users
IVGuarded industrial or restricted sites such as airport security areasSecurity staff supervise access

UL 325 class definitions as quoted in DASMA TDS 353, Vehicular Gate Operators and the ANSI/CAN/UL 325 Standard.

Four fence and gate profiles drawn to the same height scale. A solid residential front yard fence at 4 feet. An open residential front yard fence at 5 feet, at least 60 percent transparent. A residential side or rear fence at 8 feet. A nonresidential fence at 8 feet with a note that barbed or razor wire is only allowed for utility, industrial, farm and similar uses, and that spikes or sharp points visible from a public street are not allowed 4 FTHome front yardsolid 5 FTHome front yard≥ 60% transparent 8 FTHome, side or rearany style 8 FTNonresidentialdistrict Barbed or razor wire only for utility, industrial, farm and similar uses No spikes or sharp points visible from a public street
A-2
DrawingHow tall, and what can go on top
BasisCity of Galveston Land Development Regulations §2.501 (residential) and §2.601 (nonresidential and mixed use). Not to scale
ScaleNot to scale
Security height is capped by where the gate sits. In a home’s front yard, an open design earns an extra foot.

Maximum fence and wall heights in Galveston

From the City’s Land Development Regulations. Gates in a fence line are planned to the same limits.

Home front yard, solid4 ftHome front yard, ≥ 60% transparent5 ftMultifamily front yard, ≥ 60% transparent6 ftResidential, elsewhere8 ftNonresidential or mixed use8 ft
City of Galveston LDR §2.501 B and §2.601 B. Tennis court fences (12 ft) omitted.
Black ornamental steel fence with spear-top pickets along a sidewalk in front of a multi-storey building
Ornamental steel with spear-top pickets along a sidewalk, from recent work.
Black metal fence panels and a gate enclosing a patio area and equipment beside a brick house
Black metal panels and a gate closing off a patio, from a Mustang project.

What affects cost and timing

We give you a written price after a free on-site estimate. What moves it:

  • Gate type and size. A slide gate adds a tail and rollers; a wide swing gate needs heavy posts and a drop rod.
  • Material. Steel, aluminum or chain link, and the coating that suits salt air.
  • Automation class. Commercial and industrial operators cost more than residential ones.
  • Access control. A single-code keypad costs less than card readers or telephone entry.
  • Power and wiring. Running power, or solar, and any trenching.
  • Walk gate and fence. A separate walk gate and any fence needed to close the gaps.

Financing is available through the providers on our financing page, subject to credit approval.

What Galveston customers say

5.0
90 Google reviews · read them all on Google
★★★★★
Very professional and friendly. Gotten automatic gates done and they are done to perfection! Thank you
Tannia Cravinas · Google review · a year ago
★★★★★
My new fence looks fantastic and has added both privacy and style to my yard. Highly recommend their services for anyone in need of fencing!
Jaweria Malik · Google review · 2 years ago
★★★★★
Absolutely loved my fence once i saw the finished product. No hassle, no rude interactions, and no inconveniences everything was just perfect. One of the best fencing companies in Texas
Elayn Pineda · Google review · 2 years ago

Reviews shown word for word from the Mustang Fencing Services Google Business Profile (Galveston), captured 2026-09-26.

Questions we get about this

What is the difference between a security gate and a regular driveway gate?
A security gate is chosen and built to control access: a strong leaf on posts sized for it, a lock or operator that holds it shut, a controlled way to open it such as a keypad or card reader, and a separate walk gate. A regular driveway gate may just mark the entrance.
What UL 325 class does my gate operator need?
It depends on the site. Class I is for homes of one to four families. Class II is for commercial or public-facing sites such as apartments, hotels and stores. Class III is for industrial sites not open to the public. Class IV is for guarded, restricted sites.
Do I need a separate walk gate?
Yes, wherever people are likely to walk in. Vehicle gate operators are only for vehicle gates, and the UL 325 guidance says separate pedestrian access must be provided so people stay away from the moving gate.
Where should the keypad go?
Gate activation controls must be at least 6 feet from the gate, so nobody can reach the moving gate while using them. For a vehicle keypad, also leave room for a car to wait off the street.
Can I put barbed wire on my fence in Galveston?
In nonresidential and mixed-use districts, barbed or razor wire visible from a public street is only allowed on fences around public utility buildings, protective care and correctional facilities, industrial properties and agricultural uses. The residential fence rules don’t list it, so ask the City first.
Does a gate across a fire lane need approval?
Yes. Under the 2021 International Fire Code, which Galveston adopted, plans for security gates across fire apparatus access roads go to the fire department for review and approval before construction.
Is financing available for a security gate?
Yes. Financing is available through the providers listed on our financing page, subject to credit approval.

Sources

Checked September 26, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the City before you build.

  1. DASMA TDS 353, Vehicular Gate Operators and the ANSI/CAN/UL 325 Standard — UL 325 Classes I to IV; separate pedestrian access; controls at least 6 ft from the gate; two warning signs; monitored sensors.
  2. ASTM F2200, Standard Specification for Automated Vehicular Gate Construction — the gate construction standard.
  3. City of Galveston Ordinance No. 23-012 (2021 IRC adoption, Appendix AO) — automated vehicular gates: ASTM F2200 and UL 325.
  4. City of Galveston Land Development Regulations, §2.501 and §2.601 — fence heights; prohibited materials and sharp points visible from a public street; barbed or razor wire uses.
  5. 2021 International Fire Code, §501.3 — security gates across fire apparatus access roads: plans to the fire department for approval.
  6. LiftMaster CSL24UL slide gate operator manual — ASTM F2200 slide gate items: screening to 6 ft against a 2¼ in. sphere; guarded rollers.
Free on-site estimate

Planning a secured entrance?

We’ll look at who uses the entrance, the room to slide or swing, and where the controls and walk gate should go, then recommend the gate, operator class and hardware. Free on-site estimates across Galveston County.

Call (346) 910-8641Request an estimate

Keep planning

ServiceGate automation and access controlServiceElectric gatesServiceCommercial gatesServiceResidential security fencingGuideUL 325 and ASTM F2200 explainedGuideBest fence for warehouse security
Page reviewed September 26, 2026 by Mustang Fencing Services, Galveston. Next review due March 2027.

PLAN YOUR FENCE OR GATE PROJECT WITH US TODAY

Planning a new fence, a driveway gate or an automated entry? Tell us about your property and we’ll set up a free on-site estimate. We work with homeowners, HOAs and businesses across Galveston Island and Galveston County.

Prefer to talk? Call (346) 910-8641.

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