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Design Review for Fences, Retaining Walls, and Site Work

Landmark Preservation reviews applications for fences, retaining walls, and site work on all individual landmarks and properties within a historic district to ensure consistency with the appropriate design standards and guidelines.

Before you begin . . .

Fences, retaining walls or site work in Denver historic districts or on individual landmark properties must follow these requirements:

Front-yard fences may not be higher than 4 feet high and must be more than 50% open
Rear-yard fences may not be higher than 6 feet high and can be solid
Vinyl or PVC fences and chain-link fences are not allowed in most historic districts and individual landmarks
Retaining walls may not remove a Denver hill or Denver roll if that is a character-defining feature of the historic district or individual landmark

For more information about appropriate materials, review the design guidelines below.

Is your project eligible for landmark quick review?

Rear-yard fence replacement projects that involve the same material, height and location, may be administratively approved through landmark quick review. This process is for minor work requiring permits but introducing little to no visible change to a historic structure or property. You must include information about the existing fence material, height, and location, and the proposed fence material, height, and location.

Quick review applications are typically processed within a few business days of receipt provided that the applicable design guidelines and standards are met.

Note: New fences and fence replacements that differ in material, height or location, must be reviewed by Landmark staff or the Landmark Preservation Commission.

Is the project located along a designated parkway?

If so, you will also need Denver Parks and Recreation to review and approve your project. Visit the Parkways page to see the list of parkways, the required setbacks for each one, and the criteria for setback exceptions.

Find locations and information about Denver Parkways

Determine which design guidelines apply

Your location and type of project determines which design standards and guidelines you should follow. If you are unsure about whether your project is in a historic district, check the landmark and historic districts map.

Site and landscape design chapter(PDF, 1MB)

In certain neighborhoods and historic districts, additional customized design guidelines may apply.

If you use assistive technology and need help accessing the content in these documents, please contact landmark@denvergov.org.

Required documents

Design review applications must adequately describe the project and provide sufficient information to evaluate the proposal. Documentation must clearly illustrate the existing conditions as well as any proposed work.

All applications for fences, retaining walls, and site work must include the following information:

Application

Download the landmark design review application and checklist(PDF, 1MB)

Download the landmark quick review application(PDF, 176KB)

Photos

Photos of existing conditions showing area of proposed work and surroundings are required and must be:

In color
Labeled with direction and orientation to the street
No smaller than 4"x6" in size (or between 1024 x 768 pixels and 1280 x 960 pixels)
Arranged on one or more sheets within the drawing set (PDF format), with each image clearly labeled

For examples of acceptable photos and tips for taking good photos, download Landmark Standards for Photographs(PDF, 590KB) and the Photo Page Example(PDF, 999KB).

Site Plan

All projects must submit a dimensioned and scaled site plan including:

Street address
North arrow
Scale (1" to 40' or larger if possible)
Location of streets, sidewalks, alleys (including any right-of-way or easement), and all existing structures including accessory structures
Location of proposed new fence and/or retaining wall and any proposed hardscaping including walkways, patios, decks, pergolas, paving, etc.
Location of existing fences, retaining walls, hardscaping, exterior stairways and ramps, driveways, decks, pergolas, mechanical equipment, etc. Indicate if any are to be removed or altered in any way.
Property lines and required zoning setbacks
Location of parkway setbacks if the property abuts an historic parkway

Site Plan Example

Style, Materials, and Measurements

Fences: Provide drawings, photos, or product cut sheets showing the height, proposed material(s), design, and openness of the proposed fence.

For over-height fences (front yard fences over 4 feet high or rear yard fences over 6 feet high), provide photos documenting that the fence is not out of scale with other fencing on the block.

Retaining walls: Provide drawings, photos, or product cut sheets showing the height, proposed material(s), proposed design, and grade change for the proposed retaining wall.

Other structures: Provide dimensioned architectural drawings of any permanent structures, such as gazebos, trellises, or other shade structures. Indicate proposed material(s). Include drawings of any existing structures to be altered or reconstructed.

Hardscaping: Provide drawings, photos, or product cut sheets showing all proposed hardscape changes to the property.