Grand Junction, CO Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Grand Junction Municipal Code § 21.05.090(a)(1) sets the retaining wall threshold inside the fence section: a retaining wall of four feet or higher is considered a structure requiring a Planning Clearance and building permit rather than a Fence Permit, and the setback rules for structures apply rather than the fence setback allowances. Below that four-foot threshold, a retaining wall is not separately pulled into the structure category by this clause. Where a fence sits on top of a retaining wall, § 21.05.090(b)(2) folds the retaining wall's height into the fence height calculation, so the combined height, not just the visible fence panel, is measured against the applicable fence height cap.

On the building side, GJMC § 15.12.020(b)(1) amends the adopted 2024 International Building Code Section 105.1 to add: each separate building, structure, pool, retaining wall, etc. shall require a separate permit, meaning a property with multiple retaining walls cannot bundle them under one building permit application. Because the retaining wall is reclassified as a structure once it reaches four feet, applicants also need to confirm compliance with the structure setback and engineering requirements referenced in § 21.05.090(a)(1), including TEDS standards under GJMC Title 29 for walls near rights-of-way or drainage.