Denver, CO Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height in Primary Street Setback
- 4 feet
- Max height elsewhere on zone lot
- Unlimited
- Applies to
- All zone districts
- Wall separation in setback
- 4 feet apart, face-to-face
Summary
Denver caps retaining walls at 4 feet inside the Primary Street Setback but allows any height elsewhere on the zone lot under the Denver Zoning Code.
A. Retaining Walls may be built to any height in any area of the zone lot other than in the Primary Street Setback.
B. The maximum height of a retaining wall when located in the Primary Street Setback is 4 feet.
C. Retaining walls located in the Primary Street Setback shall be separated from other retaining walls within the same Zone Lot by 4 feet as measured from face-of-wall to face-of-wall, except in the following configurations:
1. Walls that are oriented between 45 degrees and 135 degrees to the Primary Street Zone Lot Line. (See Figure 10.5-15)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
The Denver Zoning Code applies its retaining wall rule to every zone district. Outside the Primary Street Setback, a retaining wall can be built to any height. Inside that setback, the maximum height drops to 4 feet, and walls within the setback must be separated from each other by 4 feet face-of-wall to face-of-wall unless they sit at 45-135 degrees to the Primary Street zone lot line or wrap a below-grade window well. A fence stacked on top of a retaining wall forward of the front facade must be at least 50% open for its first 4 feet.
Violations & Fines
Community Planning and Development enforces the Denver Zoning Code through its permit review and zoning inspection process; a retaining wall built over 4 feet in the Primary Street Setback without qualifying for an exception is a zoning code violation subject to a stop-work order or correction notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a retaining wall be in Denver?
Does the height limit apply everywhere in Denver?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
Compare Denver to another location·View the Colorado fence regulations overview
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