Want privacy in your Colorado Springs yard? Cedar is the classic choice, but the install matters as much as the wood. A cedar privacy fence installation here comes down to a few things: picking a solid-board style, setting steel posts in concrete, planning for wind and HOA and city rules, and getting the posts in before the ground freezes. This guide walks through each one so you know what to expect before you call anyone, including us.
If you'd rather talk it through, call us at (719) 330-7146 for a free estimate.
Why cedar is the go-to for privacy fences on the Front Range
Cedar has a warm, natural look, and it works well for gates, custom layouts, and yards that aren't perfectly flat. That's a big part of why it's such a common pick for backyard privacy in Colorado Springs, Fountain, Monument, and Peyton.
The honest trade-off is that no wood fence is maintenance-free. Our sun is strong, the air is dry, the wind is steady, and the ground freezes and thaws. All of that works on wood over time. Staining or sealing can help protect it from moisture, UV exposure, and weathering, so plan on a finish as part of owning a cedar fence. If you'd like to talk through what makes sense for your yard, ask us when we come out.
Cedar privacy fence styles: what changes the look and the privacy
Privacy fences are solid, but they aren't all built the same way. When you compare bids, these are the differences worth asking about:
Side-by-side boards. Boards sit next to each other in a single layer. It’s the simplest layout and gives a clean, uniform face.
Board-on-board. Boards overlap in two layers so gaps stay covered as the wood dries and shifts. It blocks more sight lines, and it’s a heavier build.
Top treatment. Dog-ear, flat top, and cap or trim all change the finished look without changing the privacy much.
Which side faces out. Ask which side of the fence faces your yard and which faces the neighbor, and where the rails end up. Some neighborhoods and HOAs care about this.
Style can affect your estimate, so your written estimate should spell out exactly what you're getting.
Posts and concrete: what actually keeps the fence straight
Here's the part most people don't think about: boards rarely fail first. Posts and post holes do. Water collects in a shallow or poorly packed hole, freezes, and pushes the post up. Clay holds water, and rock slows down digging, so what works on one block can be different a few streets over.
That’s why steel posts set in concrete are what we prefer on a cedar privacy fence. We install cedar and treated wood posts too, but steel is what I recommend. A concrete collar around the post, not loose dirt backfill, is what keeps the fence tied to the ground when the soil moves. We go into more detail on depth, soil, and freeze-thaw in our guide to how deep fence posts should go in Colorado Springs.
When you compare bids, ask each installer what the posts are made of and how they're set. It's one of the clearest differences between one fence and another.
Wind: how a solid 6-foot cedar fence stays standing
A solid fence catches wind like a sail. Our standard cedar privacy fence is 6 feet tall, which means a lot of surface area for a Front Range gust to push on. The boards themselves are rarely the weak point. The posts, the concrete, the rails, the fasteners, and the framing around your gates carry the load.
We don't put a wind rating on our fences, and you should be wary of anyone who gives you one without showing you the spec behind it. Instead, compare what goes into the build. What are the posts made of? How are they set? How are the rails attached? Ask each installer to explain how they build for wind in your yard.
Planning a cedar privacy fence before the ground freezes? Get a free estimate by calling (719) 330-7146, or email manloa@paragonfenceco.com. We'll look at your yard, talk through your options, and put it in writing.
HOA, city rules, and permits for a cedar privacy fence
This is the section to read twice, because rules vary by address.
The City of Colorado Springs regulates fences under its Unified Development Code. According to the city's fence page, fences are allowed on most private property without a permit as long as certain standards are met, and a fence taller than 7 feet is treated as an accessory structure that needs a building permit through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD). The same page says fences in the front yard can't be more than 4 feet tall, and fences must stay clear of sight-visibility zones near driveways and can't block access to electric or gas meters or fire hydrants. Fence height is measured to the top of the fence, including posts.
A standard 6-foot fence in a side or rear yard sits under that 7-foot line. PPRBD’s homeowner page says fences under 7 feet don’t need a building permit but adds that “6 ft. or greater in Colorado Springs requires zoning approval.” The City’s own fence page doesn’t mention that step, so the two sources don’t say exactly the same thing. So we don’t want to hand you a flat answer here. Before you build, confirm your specific address and plan with the city’s zoning staff at 719-385-5982 or with PPRBD at 719-327-2880. If you’re thinking about anything over 7 feet, tell us up front so the permit is part of the plan from the start.
Other towns differ. Fountain, Monument, Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, and unincorporated El Paso County each have their own rules, and PPRBD covers several of them. Check with your city or county before you build.
Your HOA may have its own rules. Many associations review fence height, style, color or stain, and which side faces the neighbor. Read your covenants first. HOA approval runs through you and your association, so start that early so it doesn't hold up your install date.
Property lines are yours to confirm. If you're unsure where your line sits, check your plat or survey before we build, and call 811 for a free utility locate. We call 811 before we dig.
Why fall is a smart time to plan a cedar privacy fence
Fall is a good window to get this done. Setting posts before the ground freezes hard means the fence is ready for spring, and the digging and concrete work go more smoothly without frozen soil in the way.
Cold weather and snow can slow down digging and concrete, and schedules tend to fill as the season moves along. We don't want to promise dates on a web page, so call (719) 330-7146 and we'll tell you where our schedule stands.
What a cedar privacy fence install looks like with Paragon
Here's the process, start to finish:
Reach out. Call or email us.
Consultation and estimate. We look at your yard, talk through your options, and put it in writing.
Utility locate. Before we dig, we call 811 to have underground utility lines marked.
Build. We set the posts in concrete, frame the fence, and hang the boards. If you have an old fence, removal and haul-away can be included.
Walkthrough and cleanup. We walk the finished fence with you and clean up when we’re done.
Slopes and custom gates are part of the job too. We'll determine the best approach for your site when we see it in person. Most fence installations can be completed within a few days, depending on the size and complexity of the job, material availability, weather, and site conditions. Your estimate will give you a realistic schedule for your yard.
Want to see our work? Browse the photo gallery, read more about us, or see everything we build on our services page.
Questions to ask any cedar fence installer before you hire
Whoever you hire, these are worth asking:
What are the posts made of, how deep do they go, and how are they set?
How are the rails attached and how is the gate framed?
Is the estimate itemized: materials, labor, old fence removal and haul-away, gates?
Who calls 811, and who handles any permit or zoning steps?
What’s the plan for weather and scheduling?
Is there anything in writing about the work?
What finish or sealing do they recommend for new cedar, and who applies it?
A good installer will answer these without hesitation, and you should get the answers in writing. More answers on our FAQ page.
Cedar privacy fence FAQs
How long does a cedar privacy fence installation take in Colorado Springs?
Most fence installations can be completed within a few days, depending on fence length, site conditions, material availability, and weather. We give you a realistic schedule on your estimate after seeing your yard.
Do I need a permit for a cedar privacy fence in Colorado Springs?
Usually not a building permit for a standard 6-foot fence. The city says a fence taller than 7 feet needs a building permit through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. City zoning standards still apply, including a 4-foot height limit in the front yard. PPRBD’s homeowner page also says a fence of 6 feet or greater in Colorado Springs requires zoning approval, so confirm your address with City zoning (719-385-5982) or PPRBD (719-327-2880). Rules differ in other towns and in HOAs.
Is cedar a good fence for Colorado Springs weather?
Cedar is a popular wood for privacy fences here, but no wood fence is maintenance-free. Sun, dry air, wind, and freeze-thaw all work on it, so a finish or sealing plan and well-set posts matter.
Can a cedar privacy fence stand up to Colorado Springs wind?
A solid 6-foot fence catches a lot of wind, so the posts, concrete, rails, and fasteners matter more than the boards. Ask each installer how they build for wind.
Can I install a cedar fence in the fall?
Fall is a good time to plan and often install, since posts can be set before the ground freezes hard. Availability depends on weather and our schedule, so call (719) 330-7146 to check timing.
How much does a cedar privacy fence cost in Colorado Springs?
It depends on length, height, style, terrain, gates, and what's being removed. We price each job after a site visit, so call (719) 330-7146 for a free estimate.
Will you remove my old fence?
Yes. Old fence removal and haul-away can be included in your project.
Ready to plan your cedar privacy fence before the freeze? Get a free estimate or call (719) 330-7146, or email manloa@paragonfenceco.com. We serve Colorado Springs, Fountain, Security-Widefield, Monument, Peyton, Woodland Park, and Manitou Springs.
