Jefferson County, CO Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Combined-height rule
- Wall + fence counted together
- Cannot exceed
- Zone-district maximum height
- Wall permit trigger
- Over 36 inches high
- Permit type
- Miscellaneous Zoning Permit
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Jeffco
Summary
A fence built on top of a retaining wall must count the total combined height of the wall plus the fence, and that total cannot exceed the maximum height allowed in the applicable zone district. Retaining walls over 36 inches high require a permit.
Fences located on top of retaining walls must include the total height of both the wall and fence and cannot exceed the maximum height allowed in the applicable zone district.
Full Breakdown
The Zoning Resolution treats a wall-mounted fence as a single structure: the retaining-wall height and the fence height are added together and must stay within the zone district's fence-height maximum. Separately, Section 2 lists retaining walls over 36 inches in height among structures that require a Miscellaneous Zoning Permit even when no building permit is otherwise triggered. Engineering and building-code requirements may also apply to taller walls.
Violations & Fines
A combined wall-and-fence exceeding the zone-district maximum, or an unpermitted retaining wall over 36 inches, is a zoning violation subject to correction orders and abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the retaining wall count toward my fence height?
Do retaining walls need a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Colorado fence regulations overview
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