Fence installation in Cheyenne
Inside city limits, fences follow the City of Cheyenne's height and placement rules, and they have to stand up to some of the strongest wind in the country.
Cheyenne homeowners who want a new fence, a replacement for one the wind knocked flat, or a gate that latches again can call to be connected with a fence contractor that works in the city. Cheyenne had 65,132 residents in 2020 and sits a little above 6,000 feet on open high plains, so the same fence that lasts for decades in a sheltered town can rack and lean here within a few seasons.
What are the city's fence rules?
According to the City of Cheyenne's building and planning FAQ, fences can go up to the property line, with a maximum height of 4 feet in front of the house and 6 feet behind the front building line, and they have to stay at least 2 feet back from any public sidewalk. A fence over 6 feet needs a building permit. The full regulations are in Section 5.8.4 of the city's Unified Development Code, and the city publishes a fencing diagram.
A 2021 amendment changed two things worth knowing. On corner lots, a 6-foot fence behind the front of the house no longer needs a setback from the property line along the side street, and the code gained a section on fence materials. The city says fences found in violation after a complaint are treated as zoning violations and may have to be moved.
Older neighborhoods and alleys
Cheyenne's older neighborhoods, including the Rainsford, Capitol North, Lakeview and South Side historic districts, have narrower lots, alleys and mature trees, which means tight access for post-hole equipment and old fence lines that may not match the property line. Newer neighborhoods on the edges of town tend to have open lots with nothing to slow the wind, and some have HOA rules on fence style and color. Check both before you settle on a design.
Common questions
How tall can a fence be in Cheyenne?
Per the City of Cheyenne, up to 4 feet in front of the house and up to 6 feet behind the front building line. Fences over 6 feet need a building permit.
How close to the sidewalk can I build a fence in Cheyenne?
The city requires fences to be at least 2 feet from any public sidewalk.
Services in Cheyenne
- Wood privacy fencesCedar and treated-wood privacy fences built for Cheyenne wind: steel or heavy posts, gapped designs, solid gates.
- Vinyl fencesLow-upkeep vinyl privacy, picket and rail fences, with reinforced posts and rails for wind and cold.
- Chain link and metal fencesChain link, ornamental steel and aluminum, and welded wire for dogs, pools, gardens and side yards.
- Ranch, acreage and snow fencesBarbed and woven wire, pipe and rail, horse fence, wildlife-friendly lines and snow fences for acreage.
- Fence and gate repairWind-damaged sections, leaning or snapped posts, sagging gates and hail-cracked panels.
Nearby areas
New fence, a section the wind knocked down, or a gate that won't latch?
Call and a fence contractor who works around Cheyenne will walk the line and quote the job.