Do I Need a Permit to Build a Fence in Lakewood, CO?
Most Lakewood homeowners can build a standard 6-foot privacy fence in their side or rear yard without a building permit — but the rules shift sharply based on location, height, and whether the fence is near a corner, an alley, or an arterial street. And regardless of permits, every fence post in Lakewood's clay soil needs to go deep enough to outlast the Front Range's annual freeze-thaw cycles.
Lakewood fence permit rules — the basics
Lakewood's fence height limits follow a straightforward residential pattern: 4 feet maximum in the front yard, 6 feet maximum in the side and rear yard, nothing over 6 feet without an administrative variance. Most of Lakewood's established residential neighborhoods fall in R-1 or R-2 zoning, where these limits apply. The city's Zoning Ordinance (§17.6.6) governs fence placement, materials, and height for all residential properties. Under Lakewood Municipal Code §18A.60.090, fences exceeding 6 feet in height shall first obtain a variance and building permit; the code is explicit that the 6-foot limit is the ceiling for outright permission.
A fence that stays within the 4-ft/6-ft height limits for its location, is made of permitted materials, and is not in a location that obstructs sight lines at driveways or intersections typically requires no building permit in Lakewood. The fence permit described in Lakewood's code (with an approximate flat fee of $80) applies when a permit is triggered by height, location, or a combination of circumstances requiring formal city review. If you're unsure whether your planned fence needs a permit, call the Permit Counter at (303) 987-7500 before buying materials; the staff can confirm the permit requirement based on your address, the proposed height, and the fence location relative to the front yard setback and corner lot sightlines.
Even for permit-exempt fences, Lakewood's zoning code and practical construction requirements still apply. Fences must not be placed in required drainage or utility easements. Fences along property lines should be confirmed against a legal survey; the city's permit does not relieve the property owner of the obligation to verify that the fence doesn't encroach on a neighbor's property. Calling 811 (Colorado's utility notification center) at least three business days before any post excavation is required by law regardless of permit status — buried utilities are common in Lakewood's established neighborhoods and unmarked posts can cause serious damage and personal injury.
Lakewood's combination of Front Range UV exposure, gusty Chinook winds, and freeze-thaw cycles makes post installation depth critical for fence durability. The Front Range frost depth is approximately 30 inches; fence posts set shallower than this will heave during winter freeze cycles, tilting the fence panels and eventually destroying the structure. The standard practice for Lakewood fence contractors is to set posts 30–36 inches deep in concrete, using hot-dipped galvanized or stainless hardware and pressure-treated posts rated for ground contact at the soil interface. These depth requirements apply whether or not a permit is required.
Three Lakewood fence projects — three different permit paths
| Fence variable | How it affects your Lakewood permit |
|---|---|
| Front yard height (4-ft limit) | Fences in the front yard are limited to 4 feet in most Lakewood residential zones. A fence that exceeds 4 feet in the front yard setback requires at minimum city staff review and likely a permit. The front yard limit exists to maintain neighborhood character and street visibility. Front yard fences must also maintain sight-line clearances at driveways. |
| Side and rear yard height (6-ft limit) | Fences up to 6 feet in height in side and rear yards of R-1 and R-2 zones generally don't require a building permit in Lakewood. This is the standard residential privacy fence height. Fences over 6 feet anywhere require an administrative variance plus a building permit. |
| Over 6 ft: variance + building permit | Any fence exceeding 6 feet in height must first obtain an administrative variance from Lakewood's Planning Division and then a building permit through eTRAKiT. The variance process adds several weeks and additional fees beyond the flat ~$80 building permit fee. Most homeowners find that a well-designed 6-foot fence meets their privacy and wind-screen needs without entering the variance process. |
| Corner lots and sight-line requirements | Corner lots have sight-line clearance requirements that restrict fence height near intersections to maintain traffic visibility. The specific clearance requirements depend on the property's location and intersection geometry. Call the Permit Counter at (303) 987-7500 with your address to confirm what applies at your corner before finalizing fence placement and height plans. |
| Prohibited materials | Barbed wire, razor wire, and embedded glass are prohibited in residential zones. Chain-link is allowed in rear and side yards but is generally not approved in front yards on residential properties. Plastic or temporary construction fencing may not be used as a permanent material. Fence material must be durable and suited to Lakewood's climate; UV-stabilized composites and treated wood perform better than untreated materials at Front Range elevation. |
| Call 811 before digging | Required by Colorado law before any excavation. Call or visit 811.com at least three business days before digging fence post holes. Unmarked buried utilities are a genuine hazard and a legal liability. The 811 notification requirement applies regardless of whether a building permit is required for the fence. |
Fence materials and installation in Lakewood's climate
Lakewood's climate tests fences harder than most Front Range homeowners expect. The combination of intense UV at 5,400 feet, heavy spring wet snow that loads fence panels and gates, gusty Chinook winds that can exceed 50 mph in winter and spring, and freeze-thaw cycling that heaves shallow posts makes material selection and post installation more consequential here than in gentler climates.
Cedar and redwood are the traditional premium choices for Lakewood privacy fences: naturally rot-resistant, dimensionally stable relative to other woods, and visually attractive. The UV intensity at elevation bleaches untreated cedar to silver-gray within one to two seasons; homeowners who want to maintain the original warm cedar color should plan to apply a UV-blocking exterior oil or stain annually or biennially. Pressure-treated pine is more economical for the structural elements (posts, rails) and works well as a decking board under fence panels; if used for visible pickets, it should be sealed or stained for appearance and longevity.
Vinyl/PVC fencing is popular in Lakewood residential areas for its low maintenance profile, but the material is more susceptible to cracking under impact at the temperature extremes of Colorado winters. High-quality vinyl formulated with UV inhibitors and cold-weather impact modifiers performs much better than bargain-grade vinyl in Lakewood's climate. Aluminum picket fencing is an excellent front yard choice: durable, lightweight, and immune to rust and corrosion, with powder-coat finishes that hold up well under UV exposure. Composite wood/plastic fencing is an emerging option that combines wood's appearance with improved moisture and UV resistance.
Post installation is the single most important determinant of fence longevity in Lakewood. Posts must reach below the 30-inch frost depth to undisturbed native soil to prevent frost heave. The standard practice is to excavate post holes 30–36 inches deep with a minimum 12-inch diameter for a 4x4 post, fill with fast-set concrete to just below grade, and slope the top of the concrete slightly away from the post to shed water. Soaking the base of a wood post in concrete without proper drainage accelerates rot at the soil interface; experienced Lakewood fence contractors protect the buried portion of wood posts with a gravel drainage bed below the concrete or use concrete-encapsulated post base anchors that keep the wood post above the concrete.
HOA rules and Lakewood fence permits
Many of Lakewood's newer subdivisions and planned communities are governed by homeowner associations with fence standards that exceed or modify the city's requirements. The Lakewood city permit process is independent of HOA approval; a city permit does not constitute HOA approval, and HOA approval does not substitute for a required city permit. For properties with active HOAs, the correct sequence is to confirm HOA fence standards first, then confirm city zoning requirements, and obtain any required approvals from both before installing. HOA enforcement in Lakewood can require fence removal or modification if installed without HOA consent, even if the fence was city-permitted.
HOA fence standards in Lakewood commonly regulate material type (some HOAs specify wood or composite and prohibit chain-link or vinyl), color (painted or stained finishes may be specified), height (sometimes more restrictive than the city's 6-foot limit), and whether a fence may be placed on a specific property line or must be set back from shared lines. The Lakewood Planning Division maintains records of recorded HOA covenants for many subdivisions; they can direct you to the right resource if you're unsure whether your property is subject to HOA fence restrictions.
What a fence costs in Lakewood
Fence installation in Lakewood runs $25–$50 per linear foot for standard wood privacy fencing, $20–$35 per linear foot for chain-link, $30–$55 for vinyl, and $35–$65 for composite or aluminum. A 150-lineal-foot cedar privacy fence enclosing a typical Lakewood backyard costs $4,500–$9,000 installed. The permit fee for a building-permitted fence in Lakewood is a flat approximately $80, a trivial overhead compared to any fencing project. The only scenarios where fence permitting gets significantly more expensive are when a variance is required (adding administrative processing fees and potentially several weeks of time) or when a fence is built without a permit and a retroactive permit plus correction is required after the fact.
(303) 987-7500 · permitcounter@lakewood.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Online permits: eTRAKiT portal
Call 811 before digging (Colorado utility notification) Call 811 or visit call811.com at least 3 business days before excavating fence post holes.
Common questions about Lakewood fence permits
Do I need a permit for a 6-foot privacy fence in Lakewood?
In most of Lakewood's residential zones (R-1, R-2), a 6-foot fence in the side or rear yard does not require a building permit, provided the fence meets material requirements, maintains sight-line clearances at corners and driveways, and doesn't encroach on utility easements or drainage corridors. Front yard fences are limited to 4 feet in most residential zones. The flat $80 fence permit fee applies when a permit is required (over 6 ft, or specific location circumstances). If you're on a corner lot or near an alley, call the Permit Counter at (303) 987-7500 to confirm the specific requirements for your property before building.
How deep should fence posts be in Lakewood?
Fence posts in Lakewood should be set at least 30 inches deep — the approximate Front Range frost depth — in undisturbed native soil below disturbed fill. Most experienced Lakewood fence contractors excavate 32–36 inches to provide margin for variability in soil and fill depth. Posts set shallower than the frost line will heave during winter freeze cycles, tilting panels and gates and eventually destroying the fence structure within a few seasons. Use pressure-treated posts rated for ground contact at the buried section, and set posts in concrete with the concrete surface sloped away from the post for drainage.
Can I build a fence on the property line in Lakewood, or does it need to be set back?
Lakewood's code allows fences to be placed adjacent to a property line, but not on the property line itself. If you build right at the edge of your confirmed legal property boundary, this is generally acceptable; if you're uncertain of your exact property line location, a survey is the reliable way to confirm it before building. The city permit does not relieve the property owner of the duty to verify that the fence doesn't encroach on a neighbor's property. You can build directly on a shared boundary with your neighbor's written consent, which some fence contractors document as part of the project agreement.
Does Lakewood have rules about fence materials?
Yes. Barbed wire, razor wire, and embedded glass are prohibited in Lakewood's residential zones. Plastic or temporary construction fencing may not be used as a permanent fence material. Chain-link is allowed in rear and side yards but is generally not appropriate in front yards of residential properties. Fences should follow the contour of the ground, with adjustments for grade occurring at the bottom of the fence panels rather than at the top. For properties near Lakewood's Dry Gulch historic corridor or in other design-sensitive areas, additional material restrictions may apply; call (303) 987-7500 to confirm.
What happens if I build a fence that violates Lakewood's height rules?
A fence that exceeds the permitted height without a variance and building permit is subject to a code violation notice from Lakewood's Code Enforcement. The property owner is required to either remove the fence, reduce it to the compliant height, or obtain a retroactive variance and permit (which is not guaranteed to be approved). Code enforcement actions can result in daily fines until the violation is corrected. The practical resolution is almost always more expensive and disruptive than simply confirming the height rules before building. A quick call to the Permit Counter at (303) 987-7500 takes minutes and confirms exactly what you can build without further approvals.
What fence materials work best in Lakewood's climate?
Pressure-treated pine for structural posts and rails (ground-contact rated for buried sections), combined with cedar or composite pickets, is the most common and cost-effective combination for Lakewood privacy fences. Cedar's natural oils provide good rot resistance; sealed or stained cedar extends the finish life significantly under Lakewood's UV. Capped composite fencing (PVC-capped or mineral composite) from major manufacturers performs extremely well at Front Range elevation: UV-resistant cap layer, excellent moisture resistance, and minimal maintenance. For all wood or composite fencing, use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless fasteners — standard zinc-coated fasteners corrode faster in contact with ACQ-treated lumber and at Lakewood's elevation.
This page provides general guidance about City of Lakewood, CO fence permit requirements based on publicly available municipal sources as of April 2026. Fence height limits, zoning rules, and permit fees are subject to change. For a personalized report based on your exact address and project scope, use our permit research tool.