Aurora, CO Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- Required only if fence needs building permit
- Exempt threshold
- Fences 7 ft or under (Code § 22-135)
- Reviewer
- Chief Building Official
- Approval standard
- Must meet UDO § 146-4.7.9 design rules
- Residential side/rear height cap
- 6 ft, up to 8 ft on arterial/collector
Summary
Aurora, Colorado requires a Fence Permit under UDO Section 146-5.4.3.H only when a building permit applies to the fence; City Code exempts fences 7 feet or under, so most residential fences need no permit at all.
H. Fence Permit. All applicable provisions of Section 146-5.3 (Common Procedures) apply unless specifically modified by the provisions of this Section 146-5.4.3.H. 1. Applicability. This Section applies to all applications to construct or modify a fence or wall for which a building permit is required by the City. ... 3. Criteria for Approval. The application shall be approved if the application complies with the provisions of Section 146-4.7.9 (Fence and Wall Regulations), and other adopted City regulations.
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 ties its fence permit to the building-permit threshold: UDO Section 146-5.4.3.H applies "to all applications to construct or modify a fence or wall for which a building permit is required by the City," and the Chief Building Official (or a designee) reviews and decides the application. City Code Section 22-135 separately deletes and rewrites the IBC's exempt-work list so that "fences not over 7 feet high and all chain link fences" need no building permit, which means no Fence Permit either, since 146-5.4.3.H only triggers when a building permit is required. Taller fences and walls must meet the design, material, and setback standards of UDO Section 146-4.7.9 to be approved.
Violations & Fines
Building or modifying a fence over 7 feet without the required building/fence permit, or a fence of any height that violates the location, material, or design standards in UDO Section 146-4.7.9, can draw a stop-work order and code enforcement action under the City's building code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my backyard fence in Aurora, Colorado need a permit?
Who reviews a Fence Permit application in Aurora?
What standards does a taller fence have to meet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
Compare Aurora to another location·View the Colorado fence regulations overview
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Fence Permit Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle fence permit requirements.