Lakewood caps fences at 72 inches (6 ft) behind the front building line and 36 inches (3 ft) in front of it. Rear and side yards allow a maximum of 72 inches; up to 96 inches is allowed only where a residential use abuts a non-residential lot, with the portion above 72 inches kept 25 percent open.
Chapter 1153 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Lakewood governs fence height. Under FENCE PLACEMENT AND TYPES, no fence may be erected in front of the front foundation wall of the primary structure except two narrow exceptions: (1) along a side property line where a residential use abuts a non-residential lot, a fence up to 48 inches above grade is allowed at least 12 inches from the right-of-way, and (2) a fence parallel to the public right-of-way may be permitted at a maximum height of 36 inches above grade, no longer than 55 percent of the foundation wall facing the right-of-way, at least 10 feet from the right-of-way, and with no gate. In rear and side yards a fence a maximum of 72 inches above grade may be installed; where a rear or side yard of a residential use abuts a non-residential lot, a fence up to 96 inches is allowed provided any portion above 72 inches is at least 25 percent open to the through passage of light and air. The City's Fence Packet (June 2024) summarizes the rule as fences no higher than 6 feet (72 inches) behind the building line and no higher than 3 feet (36 inches) in front of the building line.
Fences exceeding the permitted height are a zoning violation enforced by the Division of Housing and Building. The Building Commissioner may deny or revoke the fence permit and order the non-conforming fence lowered or removed at the owner's expense; building without a valid permit is punishable under LCO 1306.69 by fines and other penalties.
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