Everett's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles fence regulations a little differently. In Everett, Washington, there are 4 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
Before erecting or re-erecting any fence in Everett, Washington, property owners must obtain a building and/or electrical permit from the city building department. Everett Municipal Code § 16.56.030 sets the requirement without an exemption for short, temporary or replacement fences. The police chief enforces the fence chapter, and violators face the city's general code-enforcement penalties under Chapter 1.20 EMC.
Key details: Permit required for: Erection or re-erection of any fence. Issuing department: Everett building department. Governing section: EMC 16.56.030. Enforcing officer: Chief of police (EMC 16.56.040). Penalty framework: Chapter 1.20 EMC, general code compliance.
Erecting or re-erecting a fence without the building and/or electrical permit required by EMC 16.56.030 is enforced by the chief of police under EMC 16.56.040 and penalized through the citywide procedures in Chapter 1.20 EMC per EMC 16.56.050. Under EMC 1.20.060(E), "any person violating the code is responsible for a separate offense for each and every day or portion of any day" the violation continues, and EMC 1.20.060(I) presumes the property owner responsible whenever the owner had actual or constructive knowledge of the unpermitted fence.
Height Limits
Everett caps residential fences at 42 inches within 20 feet of the front lot line, 6 feet in street-side setbacks, and 7 feet in interior side or rear setbacks, with taller transparent fences allowed near the front.
Key details: Front setback height: 42 in. within 20 ft.. Street-side height: 6 ft.. Interior/rear height: 7 ft.. Corner sight triangle: 36 in. max, 15-ft. legs. Freeway-abutting fences: no height limit.
Enforced under Chapter 1.20 EMC's code-compliance procedures; oversized or nonconforming fences can be ordered corrected, repaired, or removed by the city.
Retaining Walls
Everett limits how tall a fence can be built on top of a retaining wall or berm: the normal fence-height max applies above walls 6 feet or under, but the fence is capped at 42 inches on taller walls.
Key details: Wall 6 ft. or less: normal max fence height applies. Wall over 6 ft.: fence on top capped at 42 in.. Berm-top fences: capped as if no berm existed.
Fences exceeding these stacked-height limits are enforced as code violations under Chapter 1.20 EMC and can be ordered lowered or removed.
Material Restrictions
Everett bans barbed wire, razor wire and similar materials on residential fences (except around utility, communications or government security facilities) and bars chain link and wire fencing on street-facing lot lines, in MU/UR7 zones, and in historic overlays.
Key details: Barbed/razor wire: Banned in residential zones. Street-fronting fences: No wire, chain link or sheet metal. Chain link: Banned in MU, UR7, historic zones. Electric fences: AG zone livestock use only.
Installing prohibited fencing material, barbed wire in a residential zone, chain link along a street frontage, or an unpermitted electric fence, is a zoning violation under EMC 19.41.020, enforced via Chapter 1.20 EMC with removal orders and civil penalties.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Everett actively enforces its material restrictions requirements.
The Bottom Line
Everett'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 Everett is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Everett 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.