Fence and Retaining Wall Standards in Loveland, Colorado
VerifiedFences, walls, and retaining walls in Loveland are regulated by height, location, and engineering standards under the Unified Development Code (Title 18, Section 18.04.07.06 Fences and Walls and Section 18.04.07.11 Retaining Walls) rather than a standalone Building Division permit form; taller/engineered retaining walls require structural plans through the standard building permit process.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- Fences/walls in front setbacks (between front property line and front facade): limited solid material max 4 ft; solid material max 3 ft
- Fences/walls outside the front setback (flush with or behind the front facade): max 6 ft 3 in in all zones except Industrial (8 ft max behind the front facade)
- Side/rear yard fences/walls: max 6 ft 3 in in all zones except Employment and Industrial zones (8 ft max); Director may approve up to 8 ft between adjacent residential/nonresidential uses with owner agreement, or as a noise barrier along an arterial street
- Fences/walls adjacent to parks, common areas, open space, or environmentally sensitive areas: max 4 ft, limited solid material, unless the Director approves alternate fencing for safety/buffering
- All fences/walls must be located on or within the owner's property boundary; specific setbacks apply near sidewalks (2 ft if over 4 ft tall, 18 in if under 4 ft tall) and trails (3 ft minimum from the back of the trail)
- Chain-link/woven-wire fencing is prohibited in front yards absent Director approval for extraordinary safety circumstances; barbed wire, electrified fencing, and razor/concertina wire are prohibited or narrowly restricted
- Retaining walls: individual walls max 8 ft tall (taller grade changes require terraced walls, each capped at 8 ft, terraces min. 5 ft wide and landscaped); walls over 3 ft must be finished in native rock or comparable masonry
- Retaining wall engineering: a Colorado-registered Professional Engineer (Structural) must stamp designs for any wall 6 ft or taller at its highest point, or any wall 4 ft or taller where its height exceeds its distance from a right-of-way or common property line
- Fencing within the Wildland Urban Interface Overlay Zone must comply with Appendix O risk-reduction requirements of the adopted Fire Code
Required documents
- Optional
Building Permit Application (Retaining Wall)
Required only for engineered retaining walls meeting the height/setback thresholds in UDC 18.04.07.11; routine fences under the UDC height limits do not require a separate Building Division permit form
- Optional
Engineer-Stamped Structural Design
Required for retaining walls 6 ft or taller at their highest point, or 4 ft or taller where height exceeds the distance to a right-of-way/property line; must be stamped by a Colorado-registered Professional Engineer specializing in Structural Engineering
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (valuation-based, engineered retaining walls only) | Based on the current ICC Building Valuation Data applied to the stated project valuation | City of Loveland 2026 Fee Schedule; no separate flat fence-permit fee was found published, consistent with fences generally being a zoning/UDC compliance matter rather than a Building Division permit |
Review timeline
20–30 business days
Loveland’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Footing
Required for engineered retaining walls before backfill
- 2
Final
Completed fence/wall verified against approved plans and UDC standards
Tips
- Fence height is measured per UDC Section 18.19.01.02.C — grade may not be modified to artificially increase a fence's permitted height.
- Fences/walls facing a street must have their finished surface (not posts/supports) facing the street.
- Perimeter subdivision fencing must have consistent design with columns at intervals no greater than 35 feet, and must include pedestrian openings if fronting an arterial or collector street.
- For fences under the UDC height thresholds, confirm with Planning whether zoning sign-off (rather than a Building Division permit) is the applicable process for your specific property.
- The 20-30 working-day review timeline applies to the engineered-retaining-wall building-permit path only (walls 6+ ft, or 4+ ft near a property line, requiring a stamped structural design reviewed through the standard building permit process). Routine fences under the UDC height limits are a zoning/UDC compliance matter, not a Building Division permit, so no building-permit review clock applies to them. The figure is the Building Division's single governing estimate: 'The current plan review estimate for permits is 20-30 working days per round of review,' per the City's Permitting FAQ's page.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does an engineered retaining wall permit take to review in Loveland?
- Engineered retaining walls go through the standard Building Division permit process, which carries the City's single governing estimate of 20-30 working days per round of review (Permitting FAQ's page). Routine fences under the UDC height limits do not require a Building Division permit and have no building-permit review clock.
- How tall can my backyard fence be in Loveland?
- Side and rear yard fences/walls may be up to 6 feet 3 inches in most zones (8 feet in Employment and Industrial zones), per Unified Development Code Section 18.04.07.06.D.4.
- Does my retaining wall need an engineer's stamp in Loveland?
- Yes, if the wall is 6 feet or taller at its highest point, or 4 feet or taller where its height exceeds its distance from a right-of-way or common property line, per UDC Section 18.04.07.11.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
- City of Loveland Building Division (Development Services Department) — official building department
- Unified Development Code 18.04.07.06 Fences and Walls | City of Loveland
- Unified Development Code 18.04.07.11 Retaining Walls | City of Loveland
- Permitting FAQ's (published plan review estimate: 20-30 working days per round of review) | City of Loveland
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Loveland building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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