Edmonds's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Edmonds, Washington, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Fence Permit Requirements

Edmonds requires a fence permit for any fence over three feet tall that sits within 10 feet of a street right-of-way or access easement, or within 30 feet of a corner, and for any fence built inside a critical area or its buffer.

Key details: Permit trigger: over 3 ft within 10 ft of ROW. Permit trigger: over 3 ft within 30 ft of corner. Critical area fences: permit required at any height. Citywide max height: 6 feet without a variance. Retaining wall exception: up to 4 ft above wall.

A fence built without the required permit, or built taller than the six-foot maximum without an approved variance, is subject to the city's standard code enforcement process administered by the planning and development director, who may order the fence removed or modified to comply; ECDC 17.30.010(C) separately bars maintaining any fence that creates a hazard to street users or neighboring property near a right-of-way or corner.

Height Limits

Edmonds limits fences to three feet within 10 feet of a street right-of-way or access easement, or within 30 feet of a corner, unless the city engineer approves an exception allowing up to six feet where no visibility hazard results.

Key details: Standard limit near streets/corners: 3 feet. Corner zone: 30 feet from any corner. Right-of-way zone: 10 feet from ROW/easement. Exception ceiling: 6 feet, city engineer approval. Hazard fences barred: regardless of height (ECDC 18.85.060).

A fence exceeding the three-foot corner or right-of-way limit without an approved city engineer exception is subject to code enforcement, and ECDC 17.30.010(C) independently prohibits constructing or maintaining any fence or obstruction that creates a hazard to street users or nearby property, giving the city authority to order removal or modification even where the six-foot citywide maximum has not been exceeded.

Retaining Walls

Edmonds requires a building permit before erecting a retaining wall under ECDC 18.40.010, but retaining walls of 4 feet or less, measured from finished grade at the exposed toe to the top of the wall, are exempt from that permit unless they support a surcharge, hold hazardous liquids, or sit in a critical area regulated under Chapter 23.10 ECDC.

Key details: Permit-exempt height: 4 feet or less to top of wall. Permit required above: 4 feet, or if surcharged/hazardous. Issuing authority: Edmonds building official. Subdivision walls: Approved via civil plans, no separate permit. Adopted code: 2021 IBC as amended by WSBC.

Building without a required permit is a code violation. ECDC 19.00.025(C) amends IBC Section 104.3 to authorize the building official to use Chapter 20.110 ECDC's civil compliance procedures, including notices and orders and stop work orders, in addition to any remedy available under the adopted building code. An unpermitted retaining wall over 4 feet can be ordered removed, modified, or brought into compliance, with the owner bearing the cost.

The Bottom Line

Edmonds'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 Edmonds is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Edmonds's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.