City of Boulder fence rules
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Boulder? No. The City of Boulder does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
At buildit.dog you can draw your fence on an aerial photo of your lot and check it against the City of Boulder's rules before you build. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- No (typical residential fence) source
- Side and rear yards
- 7 ft max within 3 ft of property line source
- Corner lots
- Do not obstruct the sight triangle (no distance given on page) source
- Distance from lot line
- Inside the property line and at least 18 inches from any public sidewalk; 10-ft radius clear around fire hydrants; 3 ft access on three sides of a water meter pit. source
- Not allowed
- Barbs or sharp points; electrically charged fences. source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
Still being confirmed with Boulder: Does Boulder require a zoning review or separate approval for a residential fence under 7 ft, and what are the front-yard height limits?
How to build within the rules in the City of Boulder
Steps based on bouldercolorado.gov — fence and retaining wall permit guide
- Fences not over 7 ft tall are exempt from a building permit.
- Check whether a floodplain development permit, wetland permit or landmark alteration certificate applies to your property.
- If a permit or review is needed, submit through the Customer Self-Service Portal with a site plan and construction details.
- Fences on the property line need a notarized agreement with the neighbor, recorded with the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder.
- Call 811 before digging.
Who to contact
Planning & Development Services
- Phone
- 303-441-1880
- Hours
- Tue-Fri 10:00 am-4:00 pm
- Address
- 1101 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80302
Contact from bouldercolorado.gov — building permits and inspections
What to submit
- Site plan to scale (north arrow, property lines, streets, sidewalks, fence location)
- Construction details to scale (materials, length, post and footing specs)
Other rules to know
- Total combined fence, wall or hedge height limit of 12 ft.
- Retaining walls over 3 ft (or any height on slopes of 15%+) must be designed by a Colorado licensed engineer.
- Office: 1101 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80302.
Before you dig
Call 811 before digging post holes so underground utility lines are marked. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. 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 Boulder, CO?
No. The City of Boulder does not require a permit for a typical residential fence, but height and placement rules still apply.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Boulder?
Side and rear yards: 7 ft max within 3 ft of property line. Corner lots: Do not obstruct the sight triangle (no distance given on page).
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Boulder?
Inside the property line and at least 18 inches from any public sidewalk; 10-ft radius clear around fire hydrants; 3 ft access on three sides of a water meter pit.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Boulder?
Planning & Development Services. Phone 303-441-1880.
Sources
Summarized from the City of Boulder's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the City of Boulder? 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.