Centennial's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Centennial, Colorado, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Material Restrictions

Centennial bans barbed wire, sharp or scrap materials, and street-facing chain link on residential fences, while restricting chain link to interior side and rear yards.

Key details: Barbed wire: Banned except security cradles. Chain link: Interior side/rear yards only. Also banned: Sheet metal, plywood, scrap lumber. Welded/chicken wire: AG district only.

Installing a prohibited material or a street-facing chain link fence is a Code violation; the Director can order repair or removal at the owner's expense, plus general penalties up to $1,000 per day under Sec. 1-4-10.

Retaining Walls

Centennial's Land Development Code requires retaining walls eight feet or taller to break up their mass with tiering or articulation, and every retaining wall must be built from durable, commercial-grade materials like brick, stone, or poured concrete.

Key details: Design trigger: 8 feet or taller. Required design: Tiering or articulation above 8 ft. Materials: Durable, commercial-grade only. Governing code: LDC § 12-3-609 (residential).

Building an eight-foot-plus retaining wall as a single flat face, or using prohibited materials such as scrap lumber or plywood instead of the required durable materials, is a Land Development Code violation subject to correction.

Fence Permit Requirements

Centennial requires a fence permit for all new fences and replacement fences where height, location, or materials are changing. Permits can be applied for through the city's online permitting portal. A same-for-same replacement typically does not require a permit.

Key details: New Fences: Permit required. Replacement: Permit if changing height/materials. Same-for-Same: No permit needed. Apply: Online permitting portal.

Building without a permit when required: building code violation. Non-compliant fences: must be modified or removed.

Height Limits

Centennial caps residential fences and garden walls at 4 feet in front yards and 8 feet in interior side, street side and rear yards under Table 12-3-602 of the Land Development Code. Front, street side and rear fences must stay at least 6 inches from a sidewalk, or 5 feet from the street where no sidewalk exists. Interior side fences can sit on the property line.

Key details: Front yard max height: 4 ft., and no more than 50% opaque. Side and rear max height: 8 ft. in interior side, street side and rear yards. Setback from property line: 0 ft., but 6 in. from sidewalk or 5 ft. from street. Front yard hedges: 4 ft. maximum height. Recreation court fences: Up to 12 ft., vinyl-coated chain link, 25 ft. setback.

Under Section 12-15-201, building or maintaining a fence that breaks the Land Development Code is unlawful and a public nuisance. Unless the LDC, state law or federal law says otherwise, a violation is a minor offense as defined in Section 2-3-20 of the Municipal Code. Each calendar day of a continuing violation counts as a separate violation, so an over-height fence left standing accrues daily. Under Section 12-3-602(G), the Director can order a hazardous fence repaired or removed at the owner's expense.

The Bottom Line

Centennial'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 Centennial is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Centennial's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.