Fence Regulations in Loveland, CO: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Loveland or are thinking about moving there, fence regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Loveland has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fence regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Height Limits

Loveland regulates fence and wall height in the Unified Development Code (UDC) Title 18, with the fence and wall standards located in Section 18.04.07.06 (Supplemental Standards). Height is measured under UDC 18.19.01.02.C from finished grade directly beneath the fence to the tallest element, excluding support posts or ornamental features projecting no more than 6 inches above the top. On sloping ground built in stair-step (horizontal) sections, height is measured at the midpoint of each section. Berms or mounds beneath a fence are counted toward overall height.

Key details: Governing Section: UDC Section 18.04.07.06 (Fences and Walls). Height Measurement: Finished grade to tallest element (UDC 18.19.01.02.C). Ornament Allowance: Posts/ornaments may project up to 6 inches. Sloped Ground: Measured at midpoint of each horizontal fence section. Berms / Mounds: Counted toward overall fence height.

Fence and wall standards are administered by the City of Loveland Development Services / Current Planning Division. Fences exceeding the UDC maximum height or installed in a prohibited yard must be lowered, removed, or relocated under UDC enforcement (Title 18, Part 4: Nonconformities, Development Review, and Enforcement). Code Compliance and the Planning Division (970-962-2523) handle complaints; planning enforcement may issue notices of violation and municipal citations under LMC general penalty provisions.

Pool Barriers

Loveland adopted the 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) by reference at LMC Chapter 15.54 via Ordinance 6811 (effective late 2025/2026). The ISPSC requires barriers around residential pools and spas that are at least 48 inches above grade on the outside, with no openings allowing passage of a 4-inch sphere, no horizontal members within climbable spacing on the outside face, and self-closing, self-latching gates with the latch at least 54 inches above grade (or with a locking device meeting other criteria). All electrical work must comply with NFPA 70 (Section 302.1 as amended by LMC 15.54.020.I).

Key details: Adopted Code: 2024 ISPSC (LMC 15.54.010, Ord 6811). Barrier Height: At least 48 inches on exterior side (ISPSC 305). Opening Limit: 4-inch sphere may not pass through. Gate Hardware: Self-closing, self-latching; latch at least 54 in. Gate Swing: Pedestrian gates open outward (away from pool).

LMC 15.54.030 provides: 'It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to erect, construct, alter, repair, remove, demolish or use any system in the City of Loveland or cause the same to be done contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of this code, as adopted and modified by the City of Loveland. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this code ... shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to penalties as set forth in Section 1.12.010 of the City of Loveland Municipal Code.' Building Division can issue stop-work orders and require correction; certificate of occupancy may be withheld.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Loveland actively enforces its pool barriers requirements.

Neighbor Fence Rules

Loveland Title 18 UDC regulates the placement and height of fences (Section 18.04.07.06) but the City does not adjudicate private boundary-fence cost-sharing disputes - those are civil matters under Colorado common law and the Colorado Fence Law (C.R.S. Title 35, Article 46). Loveland does not provide property-line surveys; property owners are responsible for establishing their own lot lines and any HOA fence rules that may further restrict installation. Construction noise from fence installation is regulated under LMC Chapter 9.50 (Noise) and standard construction-hour limits.

Key details: UDC Standards: Title 18, Section 18.04.07.06 (height, materials, location). Statewide Fence Law: C.R.S. Title 35, Article 46 (primarily rural). Cost-Sharing Ordinance: None - civil matter under Colorado common law. Property Line Surveys: Owner's responsibility - city does not survey. Construction Noise: LMC Chapter 9.50 limits hours and decibels.

A fence that encroaches on a neighbor's lot is a private civil trespass; the City does not relocate it. The City can enforce UDC violations (wrong yard, over height, wrong material) and noise-ordinance violations through Code Compliance and Development Services. Boundary disputes are resolved in civil court or through small claims.

The rules around neighbor fence rules in Loveland lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Material Restrictions

Loveland's Title 18 UDC, Section 18.04.07.06, regulates fence and wall materials through three defined categories - 'Solid Material Fence or Wall,' 'Limited Solid Material Fence or Wall,' and 'Opaque Fence or Wall' (UDC 18.19.03) - with the maximum allowed category and material depending on zone district, yard, and location relative to public streets. The Site Development Performance Standards discourage chain link and barbed/razor wire in residential and street-visible contexts and, in the I-25 Corridor Sub-Area, require open-style rail fencing for residential perimeters. Electric fencing is generally restricted to agricultural zones and commercial security applications subject to NFPA 70 (NEC) requirements adopted at LMC Chapter 15.54.020.I and LMC Chapter 15.08.

Key details: Material Categories: Solid, Limited Solid, Opaque, Hedge (UDC 18.19.03). I-25 Corridor: Open-style rail fencing required for visible residential perimeters. Chain Link in Street View: Discouraged under Site Development Standards. Electric Fence: Must comply with NFPA 70 (NEC). Razor / Concertina Wire: Generally prohibited outside industrial security.

Use of prohibited materials in a given zone (e.g., barbed wire or razor wire on residential property, opaque fencing in an I-25 Corridor residential perimeter) is a UDC violation enforced by Current Planning (970-962-2523). Energized fencing not in compliance with NFPA 70 is a violation of the adopted electrical and building codes, enforced by the Building Division (970-962-2505).

Permit Requirements

Loveland fences and walls are reviewed by Development Services for compliance with UDC Title 18 (zoning/design) and by the Building Division for compliance with the adopted I-Codes (LMC Title 15). Loveland's adopted residential code is the 2021 IRC (LMC Chapter 15.10, effective June 1, 2023), with the City processing adoption of the 2024 I-Codes; the 2024 ISPSC was adopted at LMC Chapter 15.54 by Ordinance 6811. Under IRC R105.2 (Work exempt from permit), fences not over 7 feet high are typically exempt from a building permit; under IBC 105.2 commercial fences not over 7 feet are also exempt. UDC compliance (height, location, zoning) is required regardless of whether a building permit is needed.

Key details: Zoning Review: UDC Title 18, Section 18.04.07.06 - all fences/walls. Building Permit Threshold: Fences over 7 ft (IRC R105.2 / IBC 105.2 exempt up to 7 ft). Adopted IRC: 2021 IRC (LMC 15.10, effective 6/1/2023). 2024 IBC Adoption: First reading 5/5/2026; second reading 6/2/2026 (in process). Building Division: 410 E. 5th St., (970) 962-2505.

Building a fence over 7 feet without a building permit, or any fence that violates UDC Title 18 height, location, materials, or sight-distance standards, can result in a stop-work order, required removal or relocation, re-inspection fees, and citations under LMC 15.04.230 (violations) and the City's general penalty (LMC 1.12.010). Both Development Services (zoning) and the Building Division (construction) can enforce.

Fence Requirements

Loveland UDC Section 18.04.07.06 governs fence and wall design; the City's Site Development Performance Standards and Guidelines (revised 12-27-17) state that fences and walls 'can be very effective for buffering and screening' but 'in excess, they can create a visually monotonous streetscape, block views from a roadway, and create a fragmented pattern of development.' Within the I-25 Corridor Sub-Area, perimeter fencing for residential subdivisions visible from I-25 must be 'of an open style, such as 2, 3, or 4 rail, split rail, wood post, or other similar style characteristic of rural areas of the Corridor.'

Key details: Governing Section: UDC 18.04.07.06 + Site Development Standards (12-27-17). Design Principle: Variation in materials, height, style required. I-25 Corridor: Open-style perimeter fencing (2/3/4 rail, split rail) required. Defined Fence Types: Solid, Limited Solid, Opaque, Hedge (UDC 18.19.03). Combined Structures: Fence + berm or wall measured as one height.

Non-conforming designs (wrong fence type in I-25 Corridor, monotonous expanses, height exceedances) are enforced by Development Services Current Planning (970-962-2523) under UDC Title 18 Part 4 (Development Review and Enforcement). Notices of violation, stop-work orders, and citations under LMC general penalty may apply.

Retaining Walls

Loveland regulates retaining walls under the adopted I-Codes at LMC Title 15. The City has adopted the 2021 International Residential Code (LMC Chapter 15.10, effective June 1, 2023) and is processing adoption of the 2024 IBC. Under IRC R105.2 (Work exempt from permit), retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall are exempt from permit, provided they do not support a surcharge. Any retaining wall that retains a surcharge (slope, driveway, structure) requires a permit and engineered design at any height. UDC Title 18 also regulates wall location and sight-distance.

Key details: Adopted IRC: 2021 IRC (LMC 15.10, effective 6/1/2023). Adopted IBC: LMC 15.08 (2024 adoption in process - 6/2/2026 hearing). Permit Threshold: Greater than 4 ft (footing to top), per IRC R105.2. Surcharge Walls: Permit required at any height (slope/driveway/structure). Engineering Required: Walls over 4 ft or any surcharge wall need stamped design.

Building a retaining wall over 4 feet (or any wall with surcharge) without a permit and engineered drawings can result in stop-work, removal/re-engineering, re-inspection fees, and citations under LMC 15.04.230. Walls violating UDC sight-distance triangles must be lowered or removed.

Approved Materials

Loveland's UDC defines fence and wall categories by visual transparency in Chapter 18.19.03: 'Solid Material Fence or Wall' (no view through, e.g., wood privacy, masonry), 'Limited Solid Material Fence or Wall' (partial view), 'Opaque Fence or Wall,' and 'Hedge' (live vegetation acting as a fence). 'Fence Section' is defined as a portion or panel attached to two supporting vertical posts or one post and a building wall. Section 18.04.07.06 then ties allowed materials to zone, yard, and street-frontage location, with the I-25 Corridor Sub-Area requiring open-style rail fencing on street-visible residential perimeters.

Key details: Defined Categories: Solid, Limited Solid, Opaque, Hedge (UDC 18.19.03). Fence Section Definition: Panel attached to two posts, or one post + building wall. I-25 Corridor: Open rail (2/3/4 rail, split rail, wood post) required. Hedge as Fence: Live vegetation counted as fence/wall for height limits. Design Theme: Variation in materials, height, style encouraged.

Mis-classification of a fence in development review (e.g., installing an 'Opaque' fence where only 'Limited Solid' is allowed in a particular yard) is enforced as a UDC violation by Current Planning under Title 18 Part 4. Re-design and re-permitting may be required.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Loveland gives residents more flexibility on approved materials.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Loveland gives residents more room on fence regulations. 2 of the 8 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Loveland 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.