Do you need a permit for a fence in Denver?
It depends on the project. Denver exempts some fences from a building permit and requires one for the rest1; the exemption's limit is 4 feet, with the conditions in the city's wording below. Work that needs no building permit can still need zoning approval.
On this page
Depends on size or scope
Denver's rule“All fences over four feet tall need a zoning permit. All walls, including retaining walls, over 12 inches high need a zoning permit.”1
City and County of Denver, Community Planning and Development, Permits
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning permit or review | Fence over 4 ft (any fence in landmark/historic/parkway) | All fences over four feet tall need a zoning permit.1 |
| Building permit | Post-hole dug fence over 8 ft; other fences over 4 ft | Post-hole dug fences only need a building permit if they are taller than eight feet, but all other fence and wall types require building permits if they are over four feet tall.1 |
| Pool barrier permit | Any fence that is a pool/spa barrier | Exception: Any fence providing a barrier for a swimming pool or spa requires a permit.2 |
Limits and conditions in Denver's rule
Each limit sits next to the sentence it comes from; the conditions in that sentence are part of the rule.
| Rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Exempt up to this height | 4 feet | Fences shorter than four feet do not require a permit, unless the site has landmark or historic status.1 |
| Exempt height under the building code | 4 feet | 2. Fences of any type not over 4 feet (1220 mm) high. Posthole-dug fences up to 8 feet (2440 mm) high, such as chain link, cedar pine, redwood, and wrought iron.2 |
| Exempt height, post-hole fence | 8 feet | 2. Fences of any type not over 4 feet (1220 mm) high. Posthole-dug fences up to 8 feet (2440 mm) high, such as chain link, cedar pine, redwood, and wrought iron.2 |
| Retaining walls exempt up to | 4 feet | 3. Retaining walls, including fences or walls on top of retaining walls, not over 4 feet (1220 mm) in total height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall or fence.2 |
Zoning rules: separate from the building permit
A project can be exempt from one and still need the other (zoning vs building permits).
| Zoning rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum height in the front yard | 4 feet | Except for industrial areas, the maximum fence height allowed is four feet in the front yard and six feet in the backyard.1 |
| Maximum height in side and rear yards | 6 feet | Except for industrial areas, the maximum fence height allowed is four feet in the front yard and six feet in the backyard.1 |
| Side and rear setback | At least 6 inches back from the public sidewalk | All fences and walls must be at least 6 inches back from the public sidewalk, regardless of where the property line is located.1 |
| Zoning approval needed even without a building permit? | Yes | All fences over four feet tall need a zoning permit. All walls, including retaining walls, over 12 inches high need a zoning permit.1 |
What to submit
- Site plan with zone lot lines, fence location/height/material1
- Site plan with total linear feet of fence (homeowner instructions)3
Who can apply
- Homeowners may apply via e-permits (zoning permit)1
Special areas and extra reviews
- Landmark, historic district or parkway: permit required regardless of height1
- Floodplain or digging within 2 ft of sewer line: SUDP may be required1
Who to ask
Community Planning and Development (CPD), Building Permitting and Inspections Services Agency2
Building permits
- Website
- denvergov.org4
- Apply online
- aca-prod.accela.com5
- Phone
- (720) 865-27006
- [email protected]6
- Address
- 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 205, Denver, CO 80202 (Webb Municipal Building, 2nd floor)6
- Hours
- Phone line Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.6
- Inspections
- Online via e-permits (aca-prod.accela.com/DENVER); inspections completed within 2 business days7
Fence permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Denver with 18 other cities on the national fence permit guide, or go straight to one:
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Fences and Walls - City and County of DenverCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- 2025 Denver Building Code (2nd Printing, November 2025)City and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentPublished November 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Homeowner Work Instructions: Fences Requiring a Permit (Excluding Landmark)City and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Community Planning and Development - City and County of DenverCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- City and County of Denver | ePermit online (Denver's Permitting and Licensing Center)City and County of DenverChecked November 7, 2026
- Contact us - Community Planning and DevelopmentCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Building Inspections - City and County of DenverCity and County of Denver, Community Planning and DevelopmentChecked November 7, 2026