City of Cottonwood fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Cottonwood? Yes. The City of Cottonwood requires a permit before you build a fence.
buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Cottonwood (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- 4 ft for solid, view-obscuring fences in front of the required front setback line (up to 6 ft with an open upper 2 ft only with a Conditional Use Permit) source
- Corner lots
- 2 ft within a 25 ft corner visibility triangle source
- Not allowed
- Barbed wire, electrical current, broken glass and similar hazards (barbed wire allowed on industrial storage fences at least 6 ft above grade; agricultural-residential with a Conditional Use Permit). Fences must be wood, chain-link or masonry in good condition (pipe allowed in agricultural districts). source
- How to apply
- Online portal, in person source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Cottonwood
Steps based on cottonwoodaz.gov — Fence Regulations Permitting
- Draw your fence plan showing dimensions, gates, lot lines, setbacks, buildings and nearby streets, plus height and materials.
- Apply through the City's Cloudpermit portal (or at Community Development, 111 N. Main St.).
- Questions or portal help: 928-634-5505.
- Call Arizona 811 at least two full working days before digging.
Who to contact
Community Development
City of Cottonwood Planning & Zoning
- Phone
- 928-634-5505
- [email protected]
- Address
- Community Development, 111 North Main Street, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Contact from cottonwoodaz.gov — Planning Zoning
What to submit
- Building permit application
- Drawing showing fence dimensions, gates, lot lines, setbacks, buildings and adjacent streets and alleys
- Fence height and construction materials
- Block or concrete walls: reinforcing and footing type and size
Other rules to know
- A fence permit is required before a fence or wall is built, rebuilt or altered; livestock fences in the agricultural district and same-material replacements of permitted fences are exceptions.
- Keep at least 3 ft clear around fire hydrants and fire department connections.
- Pool enclosures must be 5 to 6 ft high.
Before you dig
Call Arizona 811 before digging post holes (dial 811). Utilities have two full working days to mark their lines, so call at least two working days ahead. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. County parcel maps can be off by several feet; if you're not sure where the line is, a licensed land surveyor can stake it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in the City of Cottonwood, AZ?
Yes. The City of Cottonwood requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Cottonwood?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft. Front (street) yard: 4 ft for solid, view-obscuring fences in front of the required front setback line (up to 6 ft with an open upper 2 ft only with a Conditional Use Permit). Corner lots: 2 ft within a 25 ft corner visibility triangle.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Cottonwood?
Draw your fence plan showing dimensions, gates, lot lines, setbacks, buildings and nearby streets, plus height and materials. Apply through the City's Cloudpermit portal (or at Community Development, 111 N. Main St.). Questions or portal help: 928-634-5505. Call Arizona 811 at least two full working days before digging. buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Cottonwood (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Cottonwood?
Community Development, City of Cottonwood Planning & Zoning. Phone 928-634-5505, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Cottonwood's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Ordinance Section 404.J Walls and Fences (2025 amendment)
Work for the City of Cottonwood? Help us keep this right
If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Municipal staff reports are reviewed first. Please include a link to the current ordinance, form or fee schedule if you can.