Westminster is one of the trickiest cities in the metro for fence permitting because it spans two counties. Properties east of Sheridan Boulevard fall under Adams County jurisdiction; properties west fall under Jefferson County. The permit applications, fee schedules, and inspection processes are completely different. We've filed hundreds of permits across both jurisdictions and know which inspector to expect, what they look for, and how to pass on the first visit.
The other Westminster challenge is wind. The gap between the hogback and the foothills creates a natural wind funnel that accelerates gusts across Westminster's open terrain. We've seen sustained 50 mph winds rip 6-foot privacy panels off posts that were set in dirt without concrete. Every Westminster install gets full concrete footings — no foam, no dirt-set — and we use 16d galvanized ring-shank nails or 3-inch coated screws instead of pneumatic staples for panel attachment. Staples pull out in wind. Ring-shanks don't.
Materials, Methods & Local Know-How
Westminster's Bradburn neighborhood has a traditional neighborhood design (TND) overlay that requires detached garages accessed by alleys. That alley configuration means fence gates get heavy daily use — opening and closing twice a day minimum for every car trip. We install commercial-grade spring hinges on alley gates and set the hinge posts in 12-inch concrete footings instead of the standard 8-inch, because the repeated stress of daily gate operation works a standard footing loose within 2–3 years.
For the Promenade and Hyland Village communities, we install a lot of vinyl privacy fencing. These neighborhoods have open space borders where the HOA requires a consistent visual line across multiple properties. We coordinate with adjacent homeowners during installation to ensure panel heights, colors, and post placement maintain a clean sight line across the entire fence run. It's a project management step that individual contractors rarely take, but it prevents the patchwork look that devalues the whole block.
Fence repair after Colorado's spring hailstorms is a significant part of our Westminster business. Hailstones at this altitude carry enough kinetic energy to splinter cedar pickets and crack vinyl panels. We stock common panel sizes and stain matches year-round so we can respond to storm damage within 48 hours instead of the 2–3 week lead time that most contractors quote during storm season. If your fence is part of an insurance claim, we provide itemized damage reports with photos that adjusters accept without pushback.
Westminster Fencing Questions
Why does Westminster fence permitting involve two counties?
Westminster straddles Adams and Jefferson counties at Sheridan Boulevard. Permit applications, fees, and inspections differ by jurisdiction. We determine which county your property falls in and handle the correct permit process from application through final inspection.
How do you build fences to handle Westminster's wind?
Full concrete footings on every post — no foam, no dirt-set. We use 16d galvanized ring-shank nails or 3-inch coated screws for panel attachment instead of pneumatic staples. Staples pull out in high wind; ring-shanks hold. Our posts are set on 6-foot centers for wind-rated rigidity.
Can you repair hail-damaged fences quickly in Westminster?
Yes. We stock common panel sizes and stain matches year-round, so we respond to storm damage within 48 hours — not the 2–3 week lead time typical during storm season. We also provide itemized damage reports with photos for insurance claims.
What hardware do you use for alley gates in Bradburn?
Commercial-grade spring hinges on 12-inch concrete footings instead of the standard 8-inch. Daily gate operation in Bradburn's alley-access design works standard footings loose within 2–3 years; our oversized footings eliminate that problem.