Aurora, CO Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front-yard height
- 42 inches maximum
- Side/rear height
- 6 ft (8 ft on arterial/collector lots)
- Front-yard setback
- 18 inches from sidewalk
- Permit
- Fence Permit under § 146-5.4.3.H
- Banned materials
- Barbed wire, chicken wire, sharp points
Summary
Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance caps residential front-yard fences at 42 inches and side/rear fences at six feet (eight feet along arterial or collector streets), and requires a Fence Permit for fences needing a building permit.
Front Yards — Height: Maximum 42 inches. Setback: Fence – 18 inches minimum from back of sidewalk, unless larger setback required by another provision of this UDO. ... Side Yards ... Height: Maximum six feet; except fences along arterial or collector streets may be up to eight feet. Setback: Four feet minimum from back of sidewalk, if replacing an existing fence.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-30, passed June 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Aurora's Unified Development Ordinance, not the thin City Code Chapter 146 stub, governs fences. Under UDO § 146-4.7.9, residential front-yard fences and walls may not exceed 42 inches in height and must be set back at least 18 inches from the back of the sidewalk; side and rear yard fences are capped at six feet, rising to eight feet where the lot backs an arterial or collector street. Permitted materials include brick, stone, decorative CMU, wrought iron, closed-style wood with a top rail, chain link, and composite wood; barbed wire, concertina wire, chicken wire, corrugated metal, and sharp-pointed residential fencing are prohibited. Building or modifying a fence that needs a building permit requires a Fence Permit reviewed by the Chief Building Official under UDO § 146-5.4.3.H.
Violations & Fines
Fences built without a required Fence Permit, exceeding the 42-inch front-yard or 6/8-foot side-rear height limits, or using prohibited materials such as barbed wire or chicken wire can be ordered brought into compliance or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my backyard fence be in Aurora, Colorado?
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Aurora, CO?
Can I put up a barbed wire or chicken wire fence in Aurora?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
How Aurora compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Aurora to another location·View the Colorado fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle height limits.