Fence Regulations in Lakewood, WA

If you live in Lakewood or are thinking about moving there, fence regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Lakewood has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fence regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Height Limits

Lakewood caps residential fences at six feet in the interior and rear yards and four feet in the front yard under LMC 18A.60.090(B)(12), with two exceptions raising the front limit to six feet. A separate corner-lot vision triangle under (A)(9) bars anything three to nine feet tall within 20 feet of an intersection.

Key details: Interior/rear yard fence: 6 feet maximum. Front yard fence: 4 feet maximum. Corner lot back half: 6 feet allowed. Arterial street frontage: 6 feet allowed. Vision triangle: 20 ft from intersection, 3-9 ft clear.

An oversized or vision-blocking fence is a code violation enforceable under LMC 1.44.010, starting with a notice of violation and, for a corner-lot sight-triangle violation, a direct safety order to trim or remove the obstruction. The general civil penalty under LMC 1.44.040 runs up to $500.00 per day the violation continues, and the City can require an over-height fence built without the required variance and building permit to be cut down or taken out.

Fence Permit Requirements

A Lakewood fence needs a permit in two situations under LMC 18A.60.090(B)(12): any fence over six feet outright requires a variance and a building permit, and any electric fence, even under six feet, needs a director's determination application processed as a building permit review before installation.

Key details: Fence over 6 feet: Variance + building permit. Electric fence, any height: Director's determination required. Electric fence zones: C1, C2, C3, TOC, IBP, I1, I2, P/I only. Design review exception: Over 6 ft outright, commercial/industrial. Extra step, electric fence: Fire Department registration.

Installing a fence over six feet, or any electric fence, without the required variance, building permit, or director's determination is a code violation under LMC 1.44.010, subject to a stop-work order under LMC 1.44.030 and the general civil penalty of up to $500.00 per day under LMC 1.44.040. LMC 18A.60.090(B)(12)(e)(xiv) separately makes operating an unpermitted electric fence unlawful in its own right.

Material Restrictions

Lakewood bans barbed wire, razor wire, embedded glass, and other injury-causing anti-entry materials on fences in residential zoning districts under LMC 18A.60.090(B)(12)(d). Electric fences are barred from residential zones entirely and allowed only in commercial and industrial zones, subject to a director's determination and detailed construction standards.

Key details: Banned in residential zones: Barbed wire, razor wire, embedded glass. Electric fence zones: Commercial/industrial only. Electric fence height: 8 to 10 feet. Perimeter barrier: Nonelectrical fence, 6 ft minimum. Setback from residence/school: 150 feet unless solid-covered.

Installing barbed wire, razor wire, or an unauthorized electric fence in a residential zone is a code violation under LMC 1.44.010, enforced with a notice of violation ordering removal or replacement. The general civil penalty under LMC 1.44.040 runs up to $500.00 per day the prohibited material remains, and LMC 18A.60.090(B)(12)(e)(xiv) makes operating an electric fence without the required permit independently unlawful.

Compared to other cities, Lakewood takes a harder line on material restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Retaining Walls

Lakewood allows a retaining wall or bulkhead within a required yard setback up to four feet tall on the front property line and eight feet on side or rear lines, under LMC 18A.60.090(B)(13). A wall four feet or under is exempt from a building permit under LMC 15.05.060(A), which amends the state building code locally.

Key details: Max height, front line: 4 feet. Max height, side/rear line: 8 feet. Permit-exempt height: 4 feet or under (IBC 105.2). Terraced wall spacing: 2 feet minimum between walls. Governing sections: LMC 18A.60.090(B)(13); LMC 15.05.060(A).

Building a retaining wall over four feet without the required building permit, or exceeding the four-foot front or eight-foot side/rear setback height limits, is a code violation under LMC 1.44.010, subject to a stop-work order under LMC 1.44.030. The general civil penalty under LMC 1.44.040 runs up to $500.00 per day the wall remains out of compliance, and the City can require the excess height removed.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood'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 Lakewood is broadly strict or permissive.

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