Most fence headaches we see in Fort Collins have nothing to do with the fence itself — they come from permits, HOA rules or a property line that turned out to be somewhere other than where everyone assumed. A little homework before the first post hole saves real money and neighborly goodwill. Here's the checklist we run through with every customer.
Know the city's height rules
The City of Fort Collins limits fence height, and the limits differ between front yards and back yards. Corner lots have extra requirements because fences can't block drivers' sight lines at intersections. The rules are straightforward once you look them up, but they're enforced — a fence that's too tall can be ordered to come down. We check current city requirements for every project we build, and you should expect any contractor you hire to do the same.
Get HOA approval in writing
A large share of Fort Collins neighborhoods — especially newer developments in Timnath, Severance and southeast Fort Collins — have HOAs with architectural review. They commonly regulate fence material, style, height and stain color. Submit your plans before work starts and keep the written approval. Verbal okay from a board member isn't enough when the committee changes next year.
Find the real property line
Fences get built on assumed property lines all the time, and it occasionally ends with a survey, an awkward conversation and a moved fence. If the line matters — and on a shared fence it always does — a survey is cheap insurance. If you and your neighbor are splitting the cost of a shared fence, get that agreement in writing too, including who maintains which side.
Call 811 before anyone digs
Colorado law requires a utility locate before digging, and it's free: contact 811 a few business days before work begins and the utilities will mark their lines. Gas, electric, water, fiber — hitting any of them is dangerous and expensive. Any professional fence builder does this as a standard step; if yours doesn't mention it, ask why.
Plan for gates and grades
Two things homeowners rarely think about until installation day: where the gates should go (think lawn equipment, trash cans and how you actually move through the yard) and how the fence handles slope. Fort Collins lots often have enough grade that panels need to be stepped or racked to follow the ground cleanly. Both are easy when planned and annoying when improvised.
Let your builder carry the paperwork
Permits, locates, HOA submissions and code checks are part of a professional fence installation, not extras. When you request a quote from us, we walk the property, flag anything that needs approval, and handle the process so the fence you get is the fence you're allowed to keep.
Get a free fence quote
Sparrow Construction builds and repairs every kind of fence within 50 miles of Fort Collins. Tell us about your project — free quotes, straight answers, no pressure.