City Guide · Verified 2026
Fence Installation Permits in Boulder
Local Rule
City of Boulder Planning and Development Services
Boulder exempts fences not over 7 feet tall from building permit requirements. A fence within 3 feet of a property line combined with a wall or hedge is capped at 7 feet, with a total combined height limit of 12 feet. The maximum area of solid fencing material between posts is 30 square feet unless engineered per B.R.C. Section 9902. Retaining walls over 3 feet total height, or of any height on a slope of 15 percent or greater, must be designed by a Colorado-licensed engineer. Fences must sit inside the property line, at least 18 inches from any public sidewalk, keep a 10-foot clearance around fire hydrants, and may not have barbs, sharp points, or an electric charge. A wetland permit is required for a fence in a wetland, and a Landmark Alteration Certificate is required in a Historic District or on an individually landmarked property, regardless of the building-permit exemption.
Source · Verified September 2026
Boulder Building Department
Office: City of Boulder Planning and Development Services, Building Safety Division
Address: 1739 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: (303) 441-1880
Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.
How This Compares to Boulder County
Boulder's own rule is shown above (No permit under 7 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:
Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting
The County requires a building permit for any fence over 6 feet high, stricter than the 7-foot exemption common elsewhere in Colorado, and for retaining walls over 48 inches. No fence of any height may interfere with the sight triangle at intersections, which is sized by the posted road speed, and a fence perpendicular to predicted flood flows is reviewed case-by-case and may need a Floodplain Development Permit.
Nearby Cities with Verified Rules
Other cities near Boulder with a confirmed fence installation rule:
FAQs
Which department handles Fence Installation permits in Boulder?
City of Boulder Planning and Development Services handles Fence Installation permits in Boulder.
Is Boulder different from Boulder County on Fence Installation?
Yes. Boulder's rule is "No permit under 7 sqft", while Boulder County in general is "Depends on project scope". See the full breakdown of each below.
Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need
Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a fence installation project:
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