New Fence Installation in Edgewater, CO

A new fence in Edgewater sits at the intersection of two separate rulebooks: a building-permit exemption for shorter fences, and a zoning article that governs where a fence can sit and how tall it can be regardless of the permit question. Getting a fence approved in Edgewater means checking both before material is ordered, not assuming that a short fence is automatically clear of every rule.

The 7-Foot Building-Permit Exemption

Edgewater’s permit lists identify a fence not over 7 feet high as exempt from a building permit. That exemption is a construction-permit question — it is about whether a CommunityCore application and inspection are required — and it does not by itself answer where on the lot that fence is allowed to sit.

A fence taller than 7 feet, or one built as part of a larger permitted project, moves into permit territory and needs a CommunityCore filing before construction. We check the planned height against that 7-foot line early, since a design that looks fine on paper can cross it once post caps, lattice toppers, or a taller gate section are added in.

Zoning Rules Live in a Separate Article

Where a fence can sit, and how tall it can be by yard, is governed by Edgewater Municipal Code Chapter 16 (Zoning), Article 20 — Fences, Walls and Obstructions. That article is the source for front-yard, side-yard, and rear-yard height limits, and for how a corner lot’s two street-facing yards are treated.

We have not been able to read the exact height figures in Article 20 as plain text in this research pass — the Municode page that hosts it renders through JavaScript and would not return readable text even on a direct fetch. We are not going to guess at a front-yard or side-yard height number and put it in front of a homeowner as fact. Before a fence design is finalized, we confirm the exact allowed heights for the specific lot directly with Community Development or by requesting the Article 20 text from the city.

Corner Lots and Sight Lines

Corner-lot fences are almost always subject to some form of sight-triangle or intersection-visibility rule in Colorado municipalities, so that drivers and pedestrians can see around the corner. We were not able to confirm the specific sight-triangle dimensions Edgewater applies in Article 20 in this pass, so we treat any corner-lot fence design as needing that confirmation before posts go in the ground, rather than assuming a standard number carries over from a neighboring city.

Material choice also matters near a corner — a solid privacy fence at full height right up to the sidewalk is a different sight-line problem than an open picket or ornamental metal fence of the same height, even where the numeric limit is the same.

Pool Barriers and Utility Locates

If a fence is being installed as a barrier around a pool or spa, we have not found an Edgewater-specific pool-barrier bulletin separate from whatever the adopted 2021 IRC contains on the subject; confirm the current requirement with Community Development before finalizing a pool-fence design.

Before any post holes are dug, Colorado law requires requesting a utility locate through Colorado 811 at least three business days ahead of digging, so public underground utility lines can be marked. That is a statewide requirement rather than an Edgewater-specific one, and it applies to a fence project the same as it would to any other digging.

When a CommunityCore Permit Is Required

For a fence over 7 feet, or one bundled into a larger permitted project, the same CommunityCore application process applies as to any other Edgewater permit: online filing, a value-based fee, a materials use tax generally assumed at 50% of job cost, and a 65% plan-review fee where plans are required. Any contractor hired to build the fence must hold a City of Edgewater contractor license.

How We Sequence a Edgewater Fence Project

We start by confirming the lot’s zone district and checking with Community Development on the specific allowed heights and sight-triangle rules for that address under Article 20, rather than relying on a general number. Once height and location are confirmed, we check whether the design stays under the 7-foot building-permit exemption or needs a CommunityCore filing, and we request a Colorado 811 locate before any digging is scheduled.

From there, the sequence is layout, post-hole digging once utilities are marked, setting and bracing posts, and installing panels, pickets, or rail sections. On a corner lot we hold the final layout review until sight-line confirmation is in hand, since that is the detail most likely to force a design change after material has already been ordered.

Common Questions

Do I need a permit for a new fence in Edgewater?
A fence not over 7 feet high is exempt from a building permit. A taller fence, or one built as part of a larger permitted project, needs a CommunityCore application before construction.

How tall can a fence be in my front yard in Edgewater?
Front, side, and rear-yard fence heights are set in Municipal Code Chapter 16, Article 20. We were not able to read the exact figures as plain text in this research pass, so we confirm the specific allowed height for a given lot with Community Development before finalizing a design.

Does a corner lot have extra fence rules in Edgewater?
Corner lots typically carry a sight-triangle or intersection-visibility rule under Article 20, but we could not confirm the exact dimensions Edgewater applies in this research pass. We treat corner-lot designs as needing direct confirmation before posts go in the ground.

Do I need to call 811 before installing a fence?
Yes. Colorado law requires requesting a utility locate through Colorado 811 at least three business days before digging post holes, regardless of whether the fence itself needs a city permit.

Talk to Us About Your Project

Tell us your lot type — interior or corner — the planned height, and the material you’re considering, and we’ll confirm the applicable height and sight-line rules with the city before we finalize a layout.