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Fence Permit in Sterling, Colorado

Required prior to installation or repair of any fence, free-standing wall, or retaining wall, or hedge, in Sterling, using a dedicated Fence Permit Application. A flat $30.00 fee applies.

Verified 2026-07-06 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Permit required for fence installation and repair, per the Permits and Licenses page
  • Application requires a sketch plan showing all property lines, sidewalks, streets, alleys, easements, and improvements, plus the proposed fence, free-standing or retaining wall, or hedge
  • Application must describe materials, size, and height separately for front yard, side yards, and rear yard placement
  • If the property owner is not the applicant, the property owner must sign the application
  • Zoning district is confirmed by Public Works as part of processing (noted on the application's department-use section)
  • 'Call Before You Dig' (811 / 1-800-922-1987, Utility Notification Center of Colorado) is required by state law before digging post holes

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet0 of 2 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our paid checklist will assemble all of them, from $29

Fee schedule

Fence Permit Application FeePrinted directly on the Fence Permit Application form and confirmed in the Charges and Fees Policy, Resolution No. 11-1-24, Appendix A. Zoning, item 903 ('Fence Permit — $30.00')
$30.00 flat

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Fence Permit permit actually take in Sterling?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Final Inspection

    Height, location relative to property line/setback, and materials verified against the approved sketch plan

See the full Sterling inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Sterling's Fence Permit Application requires a hand-sketched site plan showing property lines, easements, and existing improvements — prepare this before applying, not after.
  • Height and material must be described separately for front yard, side yards, and rear yard on the application — a single blanket description of the whole fence isn't sufficient.
  • Call 811 (Utility Notification Center of Colorado) before digging post holes — this is a state-law requirement independent of the City permit.

Frequently asked questions

Sterling requires a fence permit for: Permit required for fence installation and repair, per the Permits and Licenses page; Application requires a sketch plan showing all property lines, sidewalks, streets, alleys, easements, and improvements, plus the proposed fence, free-standing or retaining wall, or hedge; Application must describe materials, size, and height separately for front yard, side yards, and rear yard placement; If the property owner is not the applicant, the property owner must sign the application; Zoning district is confirmed by Public Works as part of processing (noted on the application's department-use section); 'Call Before You Dig' (811 / 1-800-922-1987, Utility Notification Center of Colorado) is required by state law before digging post holes. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Sterling Public Works Department, Code Enforcement Division at (970) 522-9700, ext. 1109 (Marianne, permits and licenses); main line (970) 522-9700; fax (970) 521-0632 before starting work.

$30.00 flat, printed directly on the Fence Permit Application and confirmed in the City's Charges and Fees Policy (Resolution No. 11-1-24, Appendix A, item 903).

Sterling does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Sterling Public Works Department, Code Enforcement Division at (970) 522-9700, ext. 1109 (Marianne, permits and licenses); main line (970) 522-9700; fax (970) 521-0632 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Fence Permit Application; Sketch Plan. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Sterling requires 1 inspection(s) for a fence permit, in order: Final Inspection. Schedule each through City of Sterling Public Works Department, Code Enforcement Division ((970) 522-9700, ext. 1109 (Marianne, permits and licenses); main line (970) 522-9700; fax (970) 521-0632).

Apply through City of Sterling Public Works Department, Code Enforcement Division at 421 N. 4th Street, P.O. Box 4000, Sterling, CO 80751. Phone: (970) 522-9700, ext. 1109 (Marianne, permits and licenses); main line (970) 522-9700; fax (970) 521-0632, email: harbart@sterlingcolo.com (permits and licenses); pubworks@sterlingcolo.com (general Public Works). Office hours: Not published on the Permits and Licenses page as of this review; inspection requests are scheduled by phone at (970) 522-9700, with a stated same-day/next-day cutoff (see reviewTimelineNote on inspections below).. Official information: https://www.sterlingcolo.com/departments/public_works/permits_and_licenses.php.

Sterling, Colorado has adopted: 2018 International Building Code (IBC), with Appendices A, E, and I — City of Sterling Municipal Code § 5-31, adopted by Ord. No. 5-2023 (eff. 6/13/23); a copy is kept at the City Clerk's office for public inspection; 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), with Appendices F and H — Municipal Code § 5-56, adopted by Ord. No. 7-2023 (eff. 6/13/23); IRC Section R313 (Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems) is expressly omitted in its entirety; 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — Municipal Code § 5-43, adopted by Ord. No. 6-2023 (eff. 6/13/23); 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — Municipal Code § 5-106, adopted by Ord. No. 8-2023 (eff. 6/13/23); 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — Municipal Code § 5-140, adopted by Ord. No. 9-2023 (eff. 6/13/23); 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with Appendices B and C, adopted in its entirety without amendment per state law — Municipal Code § 5-150, adopted by Ord. No. 10-2023 (eff. 6/13/23); Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, 1994 Edition (ICBO) — Municipal Code § 5-16, as amended by Ord. Nos. 12-1992, 26-1995, and 2-2009; Any references to plumbing or electrical requirements (except required-fixture references) are explicitly EXCEPTED from both the IBC and IRC as locally adopted — Municipal Code § 5-31(b) and § 5-56(b) — because plumbing and electrical permitting/inspection in Sterling is handled by the State of Colorado, not the City; Manufactured/mobile home installations follow C.R.S. § 24-32-3101 et seq. rather than a City-adopted installation code — Municipal Code § 5-121. Local amendments apply — see the Sterling overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-06.

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 Sterling building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.