Fence and Retaining Wall Permit in Boulder City, Nevada
VerifiedRequired for fences and retaining walls in Boulder City above the exempt thresholds, reviewed against zoning height/setback standards (Section 11-20-4 of the Boulder City Code) and, for engineered walls, structural requirements per the adopted 2018 IBC/IRC.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- Fences without permanent foundations (wood, vinyl, chain-link) under 4 feet in height, and retaining walls not more than 24 inches (2 feet) in height (measured from top of footing to top of wall), are exempt from a building permit — though a courtesy Planning site-plan review is recommended
- All other fences and walls require a building permit
- A completed Property Line Agreement for Fences/Walls with the affected neighbor is required if the fence/wall is on the property line; alternatively, a Nevada-registered-surveyor-sealed document confirming the footing is entirely on the applicant's property is acceptable
- Fence/wall height limited per zone within the required front yard (4' in R1-7/8/10/15 and Mobile Home zones; 6' in R1-20/40/80 'B' Hill subdivision); 6' beyond the required front yard in R and MH zones; 3' maximum within a corner lot's Sight Visibility Zone
- Walls/fences facing public streets may not exceed 6' on the public-street side; taller retaining/fence combinations must be staggered into segments each ≤6'
- Rockery walls require structural analysis and a geotechnical report by Nevada-registered engineers plus special inspections; CMU walls require footing, pre-grout, and final inspections (damp-proofing inspection also required for retaining walls)
Required documents
- Required
Fence and Retaining Wall Permit Submittal Checklist
City of Boulder City checklist (02/16/2021 V1)
- Optional
Property Line Agreement for Fences / Walls
Required if constructed on a property line, per the Fence and Wall Guide
- Optional
SNBO Regional Standard Details / Structural Calculations / Geotechnical Investigation Report
Backup documentation, as applicable to wall type
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — Table A, valuation-based | $27.00 minimum ($1-$500), scaling per Table A of the 2026 Administrative Code | 2026 Administrative Code, Table A |
| CMU Block Wall / Fence valuation (for owner-declared valuation) | $6.50 per square foot | 2020 Fee Schedule, 'Common Unit Costs'; 2026 Administrative Code Table H |
| Retaining Wall (CMU or Concrete) valuation | $15.00 per square foot | 2020 Fee Schedule, 'Common Unit Costs'; 2026 Administrative Code Table H |
| Ornamental Iron / Chain-Link Fence valuation | $5.00 per square foot | 2020 Fee Schedule, 'Common Unit Costs'; 2026 Administrative Code Table H |
| Wood / Vinyl Fence valuation | $4.00 per square foot | 2020 Fee Schedule, 'Common Unit Costs'; 2026 Administrative Code Table H |
Review timeline
14–21 business days
Boulder City’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Footing
Required before backfill for wood/vinyl, chain-link, wrought iron, and engineered walls
- 2
Pre-Grout (CMU only)
Required for CMU block walls before grouting
- 3
Final
Completed fence/wall verified against approved plans
Tips
- The plan review timeframe for a first review of a Fence and Retaining Wall permit is 2-3 weeks. Source: City of Boulder City Fence and Retaining Wall Permit Submittal Checklist (02/16/2021 V1).
- Exempt-from-permit thresholds: fences under 4' (no permanent foundation) and retaining walls under 24" — but a courtesy Planning review is still recommended.
- Retaining walls are not counted toward fence/wall height limits except where the wall faces a public street.
- Your front property line along a street is often NOT at the back of the sidewalk — city right-of-way can extend 4'6" to 9'6" further back; verify with Community Development or Engineering before finalizing plans.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to build a fence in Boulder City?
- Fences constructed of vinyl, chain link, or wood, and less than 4 feet in height, do not require a permit. Retaining walls less than 2 feet in height are also exempt. All other fences and walls require a building permit. Source: City of Boulder City Frequently Asked Questions and Fence and Wall Guide (updated 10/07/2021).
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
- City of Boulder City Community Development Department, Building and Safety Division — official building department
- Fence and Retaining Wall Permit Submittal Checklist (PDF) | Boulder City
- Fence and Wall Guide (PDF, updated 10/07/2021) | Boulder City
- 2026 Building and Safety Division Administrative Code (PDF) | Boulder City
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 Boulder City building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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