Fences

See also: Decks, Retaining Walls & Rockeries, Sheds

What Is It?

A fence is a free-standing wall used for privacy or protection; it may or may not be attached to a building.

What Permits Do You Need?

You don’t need a permit if you’re building a fence with a total height of 8 feet high or less that doesn’t have masonry or concrete elements over 6 feet. You will need a construction permit if the fence will be located in a flood-prone area.

If you’re building a taller fence, you need a construction permit. Most fences require only a construction subject-to-field-inspection permit. For your permit application, you’ll need to submit an application and your scaled plans, including a site plan and section and detail drawings.

• Tip 103, Site Plan Requirements

Research the Code

• In neighborhood residential and multifamily zones, our zoning code limits your fence height to 6 feet, with an additional 2 feet of architectural features such as arbors or trellises. We limit the height of the fence to 4 feet when it is located in a front or street side setback.
• On a sloping site, your fence can be 8 feet high, if the average height between posts is 6 feet.
• If you want to build a fence on a bulkhead or retaining wall in a required yard, there are additional height limits.
  • If your fence is placed above a retaining wall used to raise the grade of your property, the combined height of the retaining wall and fence is limited to nine feet and six inches (9’-6”). 
  • If the retaining wall lowers the grade of your property, the normal height limitations apply to the fence.
• In most cases, fences and gates cannot restrict access to a street or alley from a commercial or multifamily building's exits.
• If you want to build near an environmentally critical area, such as a wetland or steep slope, there are different restrictions you must follow.

• Environmentally Critical Areas Code
• Seattle Residential Code, Chapter 1, Section R105.2
• Zoning Code

For more information, or to get land use, building code, or permit coaching, contact us through our SDCI Services webpage.

Should You Hire a Professional?

Fence drawings rarely require a professional stamp (indicating they were created by an architect or engineer). You can prepare the drawings yourself or hire a professional to help you.