FENCES AND WALLS

A building permit is not required for the installation of a fence, except for those fences which exceed six feet in height. In addition, front, rear and side yard building setbacks will apply for fencing taller than six feet.

Although a permit is not required for most fencing, zoning requirements may still apply. Fencing and walls used for screening or landscape purposes shall meet the following standards. Fencing or walls shall be:

1. No more than four feet high between the front building line and front property line,
2. No more than four feet high if located on a side yard line in the front yard,
3. No more than six feet high if located on a rear property line or on a side yard line in a rear yard,
4. No more than 42 inches in height when located within the visual clearance triangle, and, if over 32 inches in height within such triangle, fences shall be constructed of split rail with a minimum dimension of 12 inches between horizontal members.
5. No closer than two (2) feet to a public sidewalk;
6. No closer than three (3) feet to a lot line along an alley where an alley-accessed garage door is set back at least twenty (20) feet from the lot line, and no closer than eight (8) feet to a lot line along an alley where an alley-accessed garage door is set back less than twenty (20) feet from the lot line, except that alley fences on lots in the RL, NCL, NCM and NCB districts may be located closer to the lot line along an alley when the City Engineer approves such a location.

On most properties in the City, the true property line is a certain distance behind the back of the sidewalk or curb. To find where the true right-of-way/property line is the property must be surveyed by a professional land surveyor. However, for an estimate of where your property line is, you may call the City of Fort Collins Mapping department at (970) 221-6588. REMEMBER THIS IS ONLY AN ESTIMATE.

In newer housing developments, restrictions as to the size, type, style, or location of a fence may exist by way of either subdivision covenants or Development Plan requirements. Contact your local homeowner's association or the Larimer County Clerk's office (970-498-7000) for possible covenants which may exist for your subdivision. If your housing area was developed as a PUD, you can contact the City's Zoning Department (221-6760) for possible fence restrictions.

Fencing and walls are prohibited within access and drainage easements. Civil disputes over the location of a fence or wall at adjoining private properties are not within the enforcement authority of the City to resolve. Contact the City of Fort Collins Engineering department (970-221-6605) for more information on encroachment permits, right-of-way, or easement issues.

Electric fences are prohibited in all zoning districts. In addition, barbed wire fences are prohibited in all zoning districts except in the Employment District (E) and Industrial District (I) zones which limit their use.

Code requirements regulating fencing and walls are located in Section 3.8.11 of the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code. For additional information please contact the City of Fort Collins Zoning department at (970)-221-6760.