Fence laws in Greeley, Colorado
What the Greeley municipal code says about fences, one topic at a time, with the section number and a link to the document behind every line. Where Greeley sets no rule of its own, the Colorado rule is shown in its place and marked as such.
Fence laws in Greeley, Colorado, question by question
The short version
- Who pays on the line
- Greeley gives a fence on a common lot line two choices and nothing in between: it goes on the property line, or at least three feet from it, and the answer turns on whether the fence sits on the line or back from it. The figure is 3 feet, for setback from a common lot line.
- How tall
- In a Greeley front setback, or anywhere in front of the front building line, a fence is held to three and a half feet, and the answer turns on the yard, the design of the fence and where the setbacks fall. The figure is 75 percent, for openness a taller front fence needs.
- Permits
- A fence within thirty feet of a collector or arterial right-of-way that runs longer than a hundred feet has to be softened with landscape material on the street side and then broken up in one of three ways, each with its own arithmetic, and the answer turns on how long the fence is and how close it runs to a main street. The figure is 100 feet, for length that triggers the break-up rule.
- Pool barriers
- A fence around a pool open to the public in Colorado stands at least sixty inches high, with gates that close and latch by themselves and a latch at least fifty four inches up. The figure is 60 inches, for minimum fence height around a public swimming pool.
- Spite fences
- Greeley has no spite fence statute. The chapters that were read are listed below. Cities and counties decide this one.
- Measured from what
- Greeley states no datum for measuring a fence in the fence table, but it does say something more useful about where the limits apply, and the answer turns on whether the fence stands inside a required setback.
- Corner lots
- Every fence and wall in Greeley has to be located and designed to comply with the sight distance requirements in the streetscape section, so the dimensions sit in a different part of the development code, and the answer turns on whether the fence could obstruct a driver view.
- Retaining walls
- Greeley leaves retaining walls to each board of county commissioners, and separately each city and town, which adopt building codes on their own.
- Materials
- Greeley opens its materials rule with a relationship rather than a list: fences and walls have to be consistent in character, materials and appearance with the architecture of the principal building on the same lot, and the answer turns on the material and what the fence encloses. The figure is 12 feet, for tallest security fence round a court.
- Livestock
- A lawful fence in Colorado is a well built three barbed wire fence on strong posts set about twenty feet apart, good enough to turn back ordinary horses and cattle. The figure is 3 strands, for barbed wires in a lawful fence.
Who owns the fence between two properties in Greeley?
Compare fences on the property line across all 50 states
Greeley answers this, but the answer changes depending on whether the fence sits on the line or back from it.
Greeley gives a fence on a common lot line two choices and nothing in between: it goes on the property line, or at least three feet from it. The reason appears in the next sentence, and it is the kind of practical thinking most codes skip. Where an area set back three feet or more could become enclosed by another fence similarly placed on the neighbor side, at least one gate has to be provided so the strip can be reached with access and maintenance equipment. Otherwise a three foot slot between two fences becomes unreachable. Orientation is settled plainly, with the finished side facing the adjacent property or any public right-of-way, public space or common area. Against public land the setbacks are one foot from a right-of-way or easement that prohibits structures, two feet from a sidewalk and three feet from the edge of an alley, and a fence may sit in the right-of-way only under a revocable permit from public works.
All fences or walls located along common lot lines shall be located so the fence is on the property line, or at least three feet from the property line. Any areas set back three feet or more, which could become enclosed by other similarly located fences, shall provide at least one gate for access and maintenance equipment.
The answer turns on whether the fence sits on the line or back from it.
- a common lot line
- On the line, or three feet off it. 3 ft
- a strip that could be boxed in
- A gate has to be provided.
- a sidewalk
- Two feet back. 2 ft
- which side faces out
- The finished side.
Also on fences on the property line in Greeley
- set in state lawColorado splits the cost of a fence on the line between farm and ranch neighbors. Where farm or grazing land of two or more people touches, each owner builds half of the line fence, and it has to meet the state lawful fence standard. A person who already has a lawful fence on the line is owed half its cash value by the neighbor who moves in next to it. This rule covers farm and grazing land only, not a fence at a house. C.R.S. 35-46-112Colorado · Statute
How tall can a fence be in Greeley?
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Greeley answers this, but the answer changes depending on the yard, the design of the fence and where the setbacks fall.
In a Greeley front setback, or anywhere in front of the front building line, a fence is held to three and a half feet. It may go between three and a half and six feet where it is an ornamental design at least seventy-five percent open, with wrought iron given as the example, and up to eight feet for an ornamental feature at a pedestrian entry. In a side, street side or rear yard behind the front building line the figure is six feet, and a fence outside the required setbacks, meaning inside the buildable envelope, may exceed six feet subject to the building codes and the other development standards. So the six feet is a setback rule rather than a flat ceiling. Chain link is capped at four feet and only in a side or rear yard, except for a security fence round a sports facility, court or pool, which may reach twelve feet.
if it is ornamental design that is at least 75% open (i.e., wrought iron). Up to 8' for ornamental features at pedestrian entries.
The answer turns on the yard, the design of the fence and where the setbacks fall.
- a front setback
- Three and a half feet.
- an ornamental fence three quarters open
- Up to six feet. 75%
- a side, street side or rear yard
- Six feet. 6 ft
- chain link
- Four feet, side and rear only. 4 ft
Also on fence height in Greeley
- no rule, documents checkedColorado sets no limit on how tall a fence at a house can be. The city sets it. The state fence law only describes a lawful fence for farm and grazing land and gives no top height for a fence at a house, and state law gives cities and towns the power over fences on the line. C.R.S. 35-46-101 to 35-46-115Colorado · Statute
Do I need a permit for a fence in Greeley?
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Greeley answers this, but the answer changes depending on how long the fence is and how close it runs to a main street.
A fence within thirty feet of a collector or arterial right-of-way that runs longer than a hundred feet has to be softened with landscape material on the street side and then broken up in one of three ways, each with its own arithmetic. Offsets of about three feet on a third of the length for every hundred and fifty foot span. Or an ornamental design at least seventy-five percent open along at least fifty feet of every hundred and fifty. Or architectural pillars or posts of stone or masonry at least every fifty feet. The Director may approve alternatives in association with the perimeter landscape plans, the streetscape standards or the neighborhood features and common areas. A building permit is required for any fence or wall over six feet and any retaining wall over four feet, and a wall over six feet in a setback is permitted only by alternative compliance.
Expanses of over 100' shall be broken up by either: ◦ Offsets of +/- 3' on ⅓ of length for every 150' span; or ◦ Ornamental designs on at least 50' of every 150' space that is at least 75, open (i.e., wrought iron); or ◦ Architectural pillars or posts (i.e., stone, or masonry) at least every 50'.
24-502(e), Table 24-5-5, with (e)(1)(f)
The answer turns on how long the fence is and how close it runs to a main street.
- a fence over a hundred feet near a main street
- Broken up one of three ways. 100 ft
- pillars as the chosen method
- Every fifty feet. 50 ft
- a fence over six feet
- A building permit. 6 ft
- a retaining wall over four feet
- A building permit.
Also on permits in Greeley
- no rule, documents checkedWhether a fence needs a permit in Colorado is a county or city question. The state adopts no building code for houses at all, so there is no statewide permit rule and nothing statewide to be exempt from. State law says a board of county commissioners may adopt a building code, which leaves the choice to each county, and cities and towns get their own power over building rules and over fences on the line. C.R.S. 30-28-201Colorado · Building code
Pool fence requirements in Greeley
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Colorado answers this in its own law. The words that do it are quoted below.
A fence around a pool open to the public in Colorado stands at least sixty inches high, with gates that close and latch by themselves and a latch at least fifty four inches up. Section 3.24 of the state swimming pool rule requires the fence so people reach the pool only through controlled ways in, and a building or other structure can do the job of the fence. A stricter local code or ordinance takes the place of this rule.
This one is Colorado law, not Greeley law. All Colorado findings
Every swimming pool in a non-restricted public place shall be fenced to prevent unauthorized access to the pool except through controlled entrances.
60 inminimum fence height around a public swimming pool
Spite fence laws in Greeley
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Greeley law has no rule about this. The chapters that were read are listed below. Cities and counties decide it instead.
Colorado has no state law about a fence built to annoy a neighbor. The fence law in Title 35 and the property laws in Title 38 have no spite fence rule and no height that turns a fence into one. A limit of that kind comes from a local ordinance.
This one is Colorado law, not Greeley law. All Colorado findings
Documents read before writing that:
- C.R.S. 35-46-101 to 35-46-115Colorado General Assembly
- C.R.S. Title 38Colorado General Assembly
How fence height is measured in Greeley
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Greeley answers this, but the answer changes depending on whether the fence stands inside a required setback.
Greeley states no datum for measuring a fence in the fence table, but it does say something more useful about where the limits apply. A fence or wall outside the required setbacks, meaning inside the buildable envelope of the lot, and behind the front building line, may exceed six feet, though it may be limited by the building codes or by other general development and design standards. So the six feet is the number for the setback areas rather than for the whole lot, and a fence in the middle of a back yard is governed by the building code instead. A temporary construction fence may be up to six feet or whatever the construction permits specify. And every fence remains subject to the building code, the approved drainage plan for the lot, and any other design and development standards.
A fence or wall outside of required setbacks (i.e., in the buildable envelope), and behind front building line can exceed 6', but may be limited by building codes or other general development and design standards.
24-502(e), Table 24-5-5, with (e)(1)(e) and (f)
The answer turns on whether the fence stands inside a required setback.
- inside a required setback
- Six feet.
- inside the buildable envelope
- It may exceed six feet.
- a construction fence
- Six feet, or as the permit says.
- the drainage plan
- A fence still has to satisfy it.
Also on how height is measured in Greeley
- left to the townColorado has no fence height of its own, so it never says where one would be measured from. Section 31-23-301 lets the city council set the height, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures, and it even covers the height of trees. The state fence law describes a lawful fence by its three barbed wires and its posts about twenty feet apart, and gives no height at all. So the city picks the number and the surface it starts from. C.R.S. 31-23-301(1)Colorado · Zoning code
Fence rules for corner lots in Greeley
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Greeley answers this, but the answer changes depending on whether the fence could obstruct a driver view.
Every fence and wall in Greeley has to be located and designed to comply with the sight distance requirements in the streetscape section, so the dimensions sit in a different part of the development code. The fence rule adds a second and more flexible instruction: any fence or wall that could potentially create a sight obstruction for vehicles crossing pedestrian areas or entering the street may be required to have greater transparency or to accept additional location restrictions so safe sight distances are preserved. Naming vehicles crossing a pedestrian area, rather than only vehicles at an intersection, reaches a driveway crossing a sidewalk, which is where most conflicts actually happen on a residential street. The remedy is stated as a choice between seeing through the fence and moving it, rather than as a flat exclusion zone.
Any fence or wall that could potentially create a sight obstruction for vehicles crossing pedestrian areas or entering the street may require greater transparency or additional location restrictions to allow for safe sight distances for the vehicle.
The answer turns on whether the fence could obstruct a driver view.
- a fence that might block the view
- More transparency, or a different place.
- the dimensions
- In the streetscape section, not the fence rules.
- a driveway crossing a sidewalk
- Expressly covered.
Also on corner visibility in Greeley
- set in state lawNo Colorado law draws a clear view triangle on a corner lot. Counties and towns write that under Titles 30 and 31. The state once had a general rule against blocking the view along a highway, and the legislature repealed it in 1981. What is left is narrower. Section 43-1-411 refuses a permit for an outdoor advertising sign within five hundred feet of the center of an intersection when it would badly cut the view of traffic on the crossing road or of an oncoming train. That is a sign rule on state highways. C.R.S. 43-1-411Colorado · Traffic code
Retaining wall rules in Greeley
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Greeley does not set this. It leaves it to each board of county commissioners, and separately each city and town, which adopt building codes on their own.
Colorado has no state rule for a wall that holds back earth, because it adopts no building code for houses at all. State law says a board of county commissioners may adopt a building code for the parts of the county outside any city or town, and cities and towns get their own separate power over building rules. So there is no state height at which a wall of that kind needs a permit and no state standard for building one. Each county, city and town sets it.
This one is Colorado law, not Greeley law. All Colorado findings
A board of county commissioners is authorized to adopt ordinances and a building code consistent with the uniform building code, 1988 edition, as promulgated by the international conference of building officials and as revised from time to time, in all or part of the county, and not embraced within the limits of any incorporated city or town.
The code hands this to each board of county commissioners, and separately each city and town, which adopt building codes on their own, which is not published in the code itself.
Fence materials allowed in Greeley
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Greeley answers this, but the answer changes depending on the material and what the fence encloses.
Greeley opens its materials rule with a relationship rather than a list: fences and walls have to be consistent in character, materials and appearance with the architecture of the principal building on the same lot. Then it gives the list. Wood, or vinyl simulating wood, with the wood either naturally rot resistant such as cedar or pressure treated. Wrought iron, or aluminum simulating wrought iron. Stone, brick, concrete with a stone or brick veneer, pre-cast concrete simulating stone or brick, or decorative concrete textured to look like masonry. And chain link or vinyl clad chain link, in a side or rear yard only and limited to four feet, except that a security fence round a sports facility, court, pool or similar may reach twelve feet provided it sits twenty feet from any lot line and every part of it above eight feet stays free of opaque screens.
Fences and walls shall be consistent in character, materials and appearance with the architecture of the principal building on the same lot.
The answer turns on the material and what the fence encloses.
- any fence
- It has to match the house.
- chain link
- Four feet, side and rear only.
- a sports court security fence
- Twelve feet, twenty feet off the line. 12 ft
- the part above eight feet
- No opaque screens. 8 ft
Also on materials in Greeley
- set in state lawColorado defines a lawful fence as a well built three barbed wire fence on solid posts about twenty feet apart, good enough to turn ordinary horses and cattle, with gates as good as the fence. Any other fence that works as well counts the same. C.R.S. 35-46-101Colorado · Statute
Livestock and boundary fence law in Greeley
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Colorado answers this in its own law. The words that do it are quoted below.
A lawful fence in Colorado is a well built three barbed wire fence on strong posts set about twenty feet apart, good enough to turn back ordinary horses and cattle. Every gate has to be as good as the fence. Any other fence that works just as well counts the same.
This one is Colorado law, not Greeley law. All Colorado findings
"Lawful fence" is a well-constructed three barbed wire fence with substantial posts set at a distance of approximately twenty feet apart, and sufficient to turn ordinary horses and cattle, with all gates equally as good as the fence, or any other fence of like efficiency.
3 strandsbarbed wires in a lawful fence
Also on agricultural fencing in Greeley
- set in state lawColorado is a fence out state. The landowner who wants livestock kept off builds the fence, not the animal owner. Money for a livestock trespass goes only to a person whose crops were behind a lawful fence at the time, kept in good repair, and whose fence the animals broke through. Without that fence, nothing is owed. C.R.S. 35-46-102Colorado · Statute
Documents behind this page
7 documents, of which 1 was published by Greeley itself. Each was read on the date shown.
- Colorado General AssemblyColorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 35, Article 46, Section 35-46-112
- City of GreeleyGreeley Municipal Code, Title 24, Development Code, Section 24-502, Residential development standards
- Colorado General AssemblyColorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 31, Article 15, Part 6, Building and Fire Regulations
- Colorado General AssemblyColorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 30, Article 28, Part 2, Building Codes
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control DivisionCode of Colorado Regulations, Swimming Pools and Mineral Baths, Section 3.24, effective December 15, 2020
- Colorado General AssemblyColorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 38, Property, Real and Personal
- Colorado General Assembly, Office of Legislative Legal ServicesColorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 43, Transportation
What this page does not cover
A city ordinance is not the only rule that reaches a fence. The zoning district a parcel sits in can change the height allowed on it, and so can an overlay district, a recorded easement, a fire hazard severity zone or a coastal zone. A homeowner association can be stricter than the city and nothing in the municipal code will say so. None of those appear here.
The rules above are the ones Greeley publishes, plus the Colorado rules that apply where the city sets none. Fence laws in Colorado has the state layer in full.
This is general information drawn from published government documents. It is not legal advice, ordinances are amended, and the date beside each finding is the date the document was read. How findings are made · What the terms mean