Fence Regulations in Arvada, CO

If you live in Arvada or are thinking about moving there, fence regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Arvada has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fence regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Material Restrictions

Arvada's Land Development Code bans barbed wire, sharp-pointed security devices and electrically charged fences on residential property, and separately bans chicken wire, sheet metal, PVC pipe, snow fencing and other materials from any fence or wall. Wood, vinyl, stone, brick and wrought-iron-style metal fencing are allowed under Section 4-7-2-1(J), with narrow exceptions for industrial security fencing and RA/OS agricultural and livestock uses.

Key details: Barbed wire: Banned citywide (§4-7-2-1.H.1). Industrial exception: IL/IG with Director security approval. Agricultural exception: RA/OS property in agricultural use. Electric fences: Only for RA livestock control. Banned materials: Chicken wire, sheet metal, PVC pipe.

Installing a barbed wire, electric, or prohibited-material fence without qualifying for an exception violates Section 10-1-2-1(A)(1) of the LDC. The Zoning Enforcement Officer can order removal, issue a stop-work order, or refer the case to Arvada Municipal Court, where Section 10-1-2-3 sets a misdemeanor fine up to the Section 1-5 limit of $2,650 and/or 180 days in jail, with continuing daily violations after the required cure notice.

Retaining Walls

Arvada limits retaining walls to 4 feet in height, or 6 feet if attached to a building to compensate for a grade change, under Land Development Code Section 4-7-2-2. Taller grade changes require a stepped series of walls, and any wall creating a drop of more than 30 inches within 4 feet of a sidewalk needs a 42-inch guardrail. Only listed masonry-type materials are allowed, and railroad ties are barred outside single-family lots.

Key details: Standard max height: 4 ft (§4-7-2-2.B.1.a). Height if attached to building: 6 ft, to compensate for grade. Railing trigger: Drop >30 in. within 4 ft of walk. Required railing height: 42 inches minimum. Railroad ties/timber: Banned except single-family lots.

A retaining wall that exceeds 4 feet (6 feet if attached to the building), skips the required railing near a sidewalk, or uses a banned material like ordinary railroad ties on a non-single-family lot violates LDC Section 10-1-2-1(A)(1). Enforcement follows the same path as other LDC violations: a correction notice with a 14-day cure period, then a misdemeanor charge under Section 10-1-2-3 carrying up to the Section 1-5 fine cap of $2,650 and/or 180 days in jail.

Height Limits

Arvada caps fences and divisional walls at 3 feet in front and street-side setbacks and 6 feet in rear and interior side yards for most residential districts under Land Development Code Table 4-7-2-1, with bonus height for transparent or sidewalk-set-back fences. Every fence needs a City permit except short repairs, and no fence may block the intersection sight triangle required by Section 4-4-3-3.

Key details: Front/street-side height cap: 3 ft (Table 4-7-2-1). Rear/interior side height cap: 6 ft (Table 4-7-2-1). Transparency height bonus: 4 ft if 50%+ open. Street flowline setback: 8 ft (10 ft if over 8 ft tall). Fence permit: Required except repairs ≤8 linear ft.

Building or maintaining a fence that exceeds Table 4-7-2-1 or lacks the required permit violates the LDC under Section 10-1-2-1(A)(1) and (4). The City can issue a stop-work order, deny future permits, or prosecute the property owner under Section 10-1-2-3, which sets a misdemeanor fine up to the Section 1-5 cap of $2,650 and/or up to 180 days in jail, with each day the fence remains a separate offense once the 14-day cure notice in Section 10-1-3-2 expires.

Fence Permit Requirements

Arvada requires a Miscellaneous Structure Permit before anyone erects a fence, wall, shed, deck, or similar accessory structure on a lot. The Chief Building Official reviews applications under Land Development Code Section 8-3-5-7 and must act within seven days of a complete submittal. Mini-structures under 200 square feet are exempt from the requirement entirely.

Key details: Permit name: Miscellaneous Structure Permit. Reviewing official: Chief Building Official. Decision deadline: 7 days after complete application. Permit validity: Lapses after 6 months if unbuilt. Size exemption: Mini-structures under 200 sq ft.

Building a fence or similar structure without the required permit is enforceable under LDC Chapter 10. The Code Enforcement Officer can issue a stop-work order, deny or withhold other permits until the violation is corrected, and refer the matter for prosecution. A conviction is a misdemeanor under Section 10-1-2-3, punishable by a fine up to $2,650.00 and/or up to 364 days in jail under the general penalty in Section 1-5, with each day the unpermitted structure remains a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Arvada's fence regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Arvada is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Arvada can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.