Douglas County, CO Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Douglas County Zoning Resolution § 1-715 sets the height rules for fences, walls, and hedges in the SR Suburban Residential District, the zoning that covers most unincorporated subdivisions including Highlands Ranch. A solid fence, wall, or hedge cannot exceed six feet anywhere on the lot, and drops to a four-foot cap once it sits inside the setback that faces a street. Owners who want more height without going solid have an out: a woven-wire or ornamental-iron fence that is at least 80% open carries no height limit at all, though the county still requires a building permit once that open fence passes six feet.

Corner-lot owners face an added restriction: § 1-715(4) requires every fence, wall, or hedge to be built and kept so it never blocks the sightline of drivers on the adjacent street, right-of-way, or driveway, measured against the Douglas County Roadway Design and Construction Standards manual, effectively a visibility rule at intersections and driveway aprons. The same section requires ongoing upkeep: § 1-715(5) makes the landowner responsible for repairing or removing any fence, wall, or hedge that becomes a safety hazard through poor maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment.

A homeowner who wants to exceed these limits does not need a costly hearing for small requests: § 1-2604 lets the Planning Director approve up to a 20% administrative adjustment to the height standard after 10 days' notice to abutting neighbors; anything larger goes to the Board of Adjustment under § 1-2602, which lists 'maximum height of structures or fences' as an eligible variance category.