How Auburn Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide
Auburn maintains 115 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Auburn falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Neighbor Fence Rules
RCW 16.60 governs boundary fences and cost-sharing in Washington. ACC 18.31.020 controls height and placement. Spite fences allow civil remedy. A survey before building is strongly recommended.
Key details: State Law: RCW 16.60. Cost Sharing: Private agreement. Mediation King: (206) 443-9603. Spite Fences: Civil remedy.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls over 4 feet from footing to top require a building permit and engineering in Auburn under IRC R105.2. Walls near Lea Hill and Lakeland steep slopes face critical area review.
Key details: Permit Trigger: Over 4 feet. Engineering: Required over 4 ft. Critical Areas: Lea Hill, Lakeland steep slopes. Code: IRC R105.2 / ACC 16.10.
Unpermitted over-height retaining wall: stop-work order, after-the-fact permit with double fees, possible engineering retrofit. Walls causing drainage to adjacent property can create civil liability.
Fence Requirements
Auburn fences must be structurally sound, maintained, and built within property lines under ACC 18.31.020. Sight triangles cap 42 inches at driveways. Critical areas need extra review.
Key details: Maintenance: Required, sound condition. Setbacks: Sight triangle 42 in. Finished Side: Practice/HOA: outward. Code: ACC 18.31.020.
Dilapidated, leaning, or unsafe fences can be ordered abated under ACC 18.31.020 and ACC 8.12 nuisance provisions. Encroaching fences must be moved at owner expense.
Material Restrictions
Auburn restricts electric and barbed-wire fences in residential zones under ACC 18.31.020. Wood, vinyl, chain link, and ornamental iron are allowed. RC agricultural zones may allow barbed wire.
Key details: Barbed Wire: Banned residential. Electric Fence: Banned residential. Razor Wire: Prohibited citywide. Allowed: Wood, vinyl, chain link, iron.
Installation of prohibited materials (electric, razor wire, barbed wire in residential) is a zoning violation under ACC 18.31.020. Code Compliance issues notice of correction with required removal.
Permit Requirements
Auburn requires a building permit for fences over 6 feet under IRC R105.2. Fences 6 feet or less need no permit but must meet ACC 18.31.020 zoning. Retaining walls over 4 feet need a permit.
Key details: Permit Trigger: Over 6 feet. Retaining Walls: Over 4 feet. Apply: Auburn Permit Center. Code: IRC R105.2 / ACC 18.31.020.
Unpermitted over-height fence: stop-work order plus double permit fees on after-the-fact submittal. Continued work without permit: escalating fines and possible removal order under ACC 18.31.020.
Pool Barriers
Pools over 24 inches deep need a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates under the Washington State Building Code and IRC Appendix G as adopted in Auburn. Openings must not pass a 4-inch sphere.
Key details: Height: 48 inches minimum. Sphere Gap: No 4-inch pass-through. Gate: Self-close, self-latch. Code: IRC Appendix G / WSBC.
Pool without compliant barrier: stop-use order and injunction. Drowning incidents create significant civil liability. Ongoing non-compliance: daily civil penalties under building code enforcement.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Auburn actively enforces its pool barriers requirements.
Height Limits
Auburn caps fences at 42 inches in front setback areas under ACC 18.31.020. Interior fences may reach the zone maximum building height. A 6 percent measurement tolerance applies.
Key details: Front Setback: 42 inches max. Side/Rear: Up to zone max height. Sight Triangle: 42 inches at driveway. Tolerance: 6 percent.
Over-height fence without permit is a zoning violation under ACC 18.31.020. Code Compliance issues notice of correction with required removal or lowering; escalating fines for non-compliance.
The Bottom Line
Auburn's fence regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Auburn is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Auburn can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.