Driveway gate guide
Custom pedestrian & side gates in Metro Vancouver
Most of the conversation around custom gates is about the big automated driveway gate. The pedestrian gate, the side entry, the garden gate, the pass door beside the main gate, tends to be an afterthought. That is a mistake. A well-designed pedestrian gate is what makes a gate system actually liveable day-to-day, and a poorly specified one causes more operational headaches than the driveway gate ever will.
We fabricate pedestrian gates as part of full gate systems and as standalone projects. This page covers the types, sizing, hardware options, and the questions that come up most often on Burnaby and Vancouver installs.
Pedestrian gate types
The right type depends on what you need the gate to do, containment, security, aesthetics, or walk-through convenience.
| Type | Typical dimensions | Primary use | Hardware profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side / utility gate | 3 to 4 ft wide, 4 to 6 ft tall | Secondary access to backyard, garbage enclosure, side yard | Latch + padlock; no automation needed |
| Garden gate | 3 to 4 ft wide, 4 to 5 ft tall | Decorative entry to courtyard, garden, or patio | Spring-loaded self-closing latch; sometimes keyed handle |
| Pedestrian pass door | 3 ft wide, 6 to 7 ft tall | Walk-through entry beside an automated driveway gate | Keypad, key, or intercom; code-required when the driveway gate is automated |
| Security pedestrian gate | 3 to 4 ft wide, 6 to 8 ft tall | Secured rear or side access; commercial properties | Electrified lock, keypad, or card reader |
| Pool fence gate | Code-mandated dimensions | Access within a pool fence enclosure | Self-latching, self-closing, minimum 1.5 m height per BC Building Code |
The pass door: the most overlooked gate addition
If you have an automated driveway gate, the pedestrian pass door is not optional, it is how the system works in practice. Every delivery driver, dog walker, and neighbour who needs to get through your gate without the car needs an entry point that is not the full 14-ft automated leaf. A pass door with a keypad or intercom handles this.
The pass door is typically 3 ft wide, the same height as the driveway gate it sits beside, and designed to visually match, same steel section, same infill pattern, same finish. It mounts to its own posts (or the driveway gate post on one side) and latches independently from the main gate. If the driveway gate is electrified, the pass door can be tied to the same access control system or run a separate keypad.
Pool fence gates, a code-specific case
Pool enclosure gates in British Columbia are governed by the BC Building Code and municipal pool safety bylaws. The gate must be self-latching and self-closing, with the latch on the pool side and positioned so a young child cannot reach it from outside. Gate height follows the enclosure height requirement, which is a minimum 1.5 m to the top of the latch (not the top of the gate). The City of Vancouver, Burnaby, and most Metro municipalities have their own pool fence bylaws that build on the BCBC minimum, check your specific municipality before specifying.
We fabricate pool gates to code. The gate section, hinge type, and latch position are all governed by the application.
Hinge options
| Hinge type | Aesthetic | Load capacity | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weld-on butt hinge | Clean look, minimal visibility | Good for gates to 100 lbs | Most common residential choice |
| Strap hinge (surface-mount) | Traditional / ornamental look | Good for gates to 150 lbs | Suits heritage homes, garden gates |
| Adjustable 3-axis hinge | Post-installation alignment | Good for heavier gates | Allows tuning after install |
| Heavy gate hinge | Commercial / security gates | Gates 150 to 400 lbs | Bolt-on for industrial applications |
| Spring hinge | Self-closing applications | Pool fence; childproof entries | Required by BC Building Code for pool enclosures |
Materials and finishes
Pedestrian gates use the same material logic as driveway gates. For most Metro Vancouver sites, front yards in Burnaby, East Van, or New Westminster, mild steel with a powder coat over primer handles the rain exposure well. Anything within a few blocks of the inlet (North Shore, Kitsilano waterfront, Coal Harbour) should go duplex: hot-dip galvanized first, then powder coat over top. That combination adds 15 to 25 years of corrosion protection over powder coat alone.
Stainless steel is an option for high-end applications where maintenance is not possible (commercial entries, strata properties with no service contract). Aluminum works on lighter decorative gates but lacks the rigidity of steel for anything security-rated.
Adding a pedestrian gate to an existing system
If you have an automated driveway gate already installed and want to add a pass door, the process depends on what is already there. If there is a gap beside the existing gate with space for a post, it is a straightforward fabrication and install. If the existing gate runs post-to-post with no gap, we need to assess whether a post can be added without compromising the gate's structural framing. We do retrofit pass door installs regularly, they are usually simpler than people expect.
Related guides
- Driveway gates, hub overview
- Automation and access control for pass doors
- Gate materials and finish options
- Permit requirements across Metro Vancouver
FAQs
What is the difference between a pedestrian gate and a side gate?
In practice, people use these terms interchangeably, but there is a useful distinction. A side gate is purely utilitarian, access to a side yard, garbage area, or service entry. A pedestrian pass door is a walk-through gate that is part of a larger gate system, typically integrated beside an automated driveway gate to let people in without opening the vehicle gate. Pedestrian pass doors are code-required in some configurations when the main driveway gate is automated, a person needs a way out that does not require the full gate to open.
How tall does a pedestrian gate need to be?
It depends on the function. A basic side yard gate is typically 4 to 5 ft to match the surrounding fence height. A security-grade pedestrian gate is usually 6 to 7 ft, the same height as the driveway gate it sits beside. Pool fence gates are governed by the BC Building Code, the entire pool enclosure including the gate must be at minimum 1.5 m (about 5 ft) to the top of the gate, with specific latch placement rules. Check your local municipality too, since some cities have their own fence height bylaws.
Do I need a permit for a pedestrian gate?
A standalone manual pedestrian gate on existing footings usually does not require a building permit in most Metro Vancouver municipalities. If you are adding new posts with concrete footings, a building permit may be required depending on the municipality and the footing size. If the gate has an electrified lock connected to the home's electrical panel, a Technical Safety BC electrical permit is required regardless of municipality.
Can I add a pedestrian gate beside my existing automated driveway gate?
Yes, and for most automated gates in Metro Vancouver, this is worth doing. An automated driveway gate without a pedestrian pass door means every delivery, visitor on foot, or service person requires you to trigger the main gate. A properly integrated pass door with a keypad or intercom cuts down on wear cycles on the main operator and is significantly more convenient. We install pedestrian pass doors as add-ons to existing gate systems.
What latch should I use for a pedestrian gate?
For a basic side gate: a drop bolt or gravity latch on the inside, padlock hasp on the outside. Simple, reliable, no power required. For a garden gate that needs to self-close: a spring-loaded latch with a coded handle or thumb turn. For a security pedestrian gate: an electrified electromagnetic lock or electric strike paired with a keypad. Pool fence gates require a self-latching, self-closing latch positioned on the pool side and out of reach of young children, this is a BC Building Code requirement, not just a recommendation.
What steel section do you use for pedestrian gates?
Most pedestrian gates use 25 × 25 mm or 32 × 32 mm hollow structural steel (HSS) tube for the frame. Infill depends on the design, square pickets, flat bars, or plate. Hinges are weld-on or bolt-on depending on the post situation. The whole assembly is powder-coated over a primer, or hot-dip galvanized and then powder-coated for coastal or exposed sites. Same materials and finishes as our driveway gates, just a smaller structure.
How long does it take to fabricate and install a pedestrian gate?
A standalone pedestrian gate with standard detailing, no electrification, no complex site work, typically takes 2 to 4 weeks from design approval to installation. Custom design detail, post footing work, or coordination with an existing automated gate system can extend that. Gates that are part of a larger driveway gate package are typically delivered and installed at the same time as the main gate.
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