How Cheyenne Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide
Cheyenne maintains 89 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Cheyenne falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Height Limits
Cheyenne caps residential fences at four feet in the front yard setback and six feet everywhere behind the front building line, under the Unified Development Code's zoning regulations.
Key details: Front yard limit: 4 feet. Behind front building line: 6 feet. Permit needed: None if 6 feet or under. Allowed materials: Brick, stone, wood, vinyl, iron, block, chain link. Measured from: Finished grade at fence base.
Oversized or noncompliant fences trigger code enforcement, which can require the fence be modified or removed to meet setback and height standards.
Fence Permit Requirements
Cheyenne exempts fences six feet tall or shorter from building permit requirements under its locally amended International Building and Residential Codes, so most residential fences go up without a permit application.
Key details: Permit-exempt height: 6 feet or less. Over 6 feet: building permit required. Zoning front-yard cap: 4 feet (UDC 5.8.4). Enforced by: Building Safety Department.
Building a fence over 6 feet without first obtaining a building permit is unpermitted construction; the Building Safety Department can require the permit be obtained or the work corrected to code.
Material Restrictions
Cheyenne City Code 9.12.080 bans fences with uninsulated electric conductors exposed to human contact citywide, with a narrow exception for low-voltage goat-control fencing approved by the city.
Key details: Rule: Electric fences banned citywide. Exception: 12-volt goat-control fencing, city-approved. Pedestrian paths: Electrified only at night, not daytime. Penalty: Up to $750 fine, 6 months jail. Adopted: Ord. No. 4433, May 9, 2022.
Violating the ban is a misdemeanor under Cheyenne's general penalty ordinance: up to a $750 fine, six months in jail, or both; each day the violation continues is a separate offense.
This is one of the stricter rules in Cheyenne's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Retaining Walls
Cheyenne treats retaining walls as their own permitted structure, separate from grading permits, with fees set by city code and enforced through the building safety department.
Key details: Grading permit excludes: retaining wall construction. Wall permits/fees: handled separately, elsewhere in code. Permit issuer: chief building official / city engineer. Adopted code base: IBC 2024 Edition, Appendix J. No-permit penalty: up to $750 fine, 6 months jail.
Building or altering a retaining wall without the required permit is a misdemeanor under the city's general penalty section, punishable by a fine up to $750, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
The Bottom Line
Cheyenne'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 Cheyenne is broadly strict or permissive.
This guide is based on Cheyenne's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.