Arvada, CO Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Section 4-7-2-1(H) prohibits barbed wire or other sharp-pointed fences or similar security devices on any divisional wall citywide. The only two exceptions are IL or IG zoned property used for industrial purposes, where the owner demonstrates to the Director or the applicable Decision-Making Body that a substantial security need justifies the installation, and RA or OS zoned property used for agricultural purposes. Electrically charged fences face the same default ban with the same narrow carve-out: allowed only where necessary for livestock control in an RA zoning district.

Section 4-7-2-1(J) separately regulates what any fence or wall, security-related or not, can be built from. 1 lists the allowed palette: wood and composite wood; non-reflective plastic and vinyl; natural stone, stacked stone, brick, stucco, and decorative concrete masonry units that replicate brick, stone or stucco; and metal iron, metal picket or other metal simulating wrought iron, chain-link, or aluminum decorative fencing. 2. 3 then lists what is flatly prohibited regardless of district: sheet plastic, sheet metal, chicken wire, fabric materials, fiberboard, garage door panels, snow fencing, rope, plywood fences, PVC pipes, and any other miscellaneous material not commonly used with residential fences.

Section 4-7-2-1(K) requires every fence, in any allowed material, to be maintained in good condition at all times, and Subsection I lets the Director approve a taller or different fence where Colorado statutes or administrative regulations independently require it, provided landscaping or design treatments mitigate the visual impact from the street.