Height Limits: Northglenn vs Thornton
How do height limits rules compare between Northglenn, CO and Thornton, CO?
Northglenn has fewer restrictions than Thornton.
Northglenn, CO
Adams County
In unincorporated Adams County, any fence or wall taller than 42 inches (3.5 ft) requires a building permit through the Adams County E-Permit Center. Fences 42 inches and shorter do not require a permit. All fences - regardless of height - must be structurally sound and maintained in good repair. Outdoor storage screening requires a 6-foot opaque fence under Section 4-09-01-04 of the Adams County Development Standards and Regulations. Permits and inquiries: epermitcenter@adamscountyco.gov or 720.523.6800.
View full Northglenn rules →Thornton, CO
Adams County
Thornton allows 6-foot rear and side fences, 4-foot front yard fences. Large master-planned communities like Thorncreek and North Creek have HOA fence standards that typically exceed city minimums.
View full Thornton rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Northglenn | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Threshold | Fences over 42 inches | - |
| No Permit Needed | 42 inches (3.5 ft) or less | - |
| Outdoor Storage Screen | 6 ft (Sec. 4-09-01-04) | - |
| State Fence Height Cap | None | - |
| Permit Office | Adams County E-Permit Center | - |
| Permit Contact | 720.523.6800 | - |
| Front Yard | - | 4 feet maximum |
| Rear/Side | - | 6 feet maximum |
| HOA Areas | - | Stricter standards |
| Corner Lots | - | Visibility triangle |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Northglenn FAQ
Do I need a permit to build a 6-foot privacy fence in unincorporated Adams County?
Yes. Adams County requires a permit for any fence taller than 42 inches. A typical 6-foot privacy fence in a back or side yard requires a building permit through the E-Permit Center (720.523.6800 or epermitcenter@adamscountyco.gov). Submit a site plan showing the fence location, height, materials, and setbacks from property lines.
How tall can a front-yard fence be in Adams County without a permit?
Up to 42 inches (3.5 feet) in any yard - front, side, or rear - without a permit. Anything taller needs a permit. Corner lots have sight-distance restrictions: even an exempt 42-inch fence cannot be placed where it blocks driver visibility at intersections, which is reviewed during permit and code-compliance inspections.
Thornton FAQ
How tall can my fence be?
6 feet rear/side, 4 feet front yard typical. Check Thornton zoning for exact limits.
Can I go higher?
Taller fences require a variance from the city.
Compare other topics
See how Northglenn and Thornton compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool