How Spokane Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide

Spokane maintains 198 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Spokane falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Material Restrictions

Spokane permits most standard fence materials: wood, vinyl, chain-link, wrought iron, and masonry. Barbed wire is prohibited in residential zones and razor wire is banned citywide except for secure facilities.

Key details: Allowed: Wood, vinyl, chain-link, iron. Barbed Wire: Banned residential. Razor Wire: Banned except secure sites. Electric Pet Fence: Under 24 volts allowed. Code: SMC 17C.110.230.

Prohibited materials are a zoning violation. Typical fines 100 to 500 dollars plus removal order.

The rules around material restrictions in Spokane lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Pool Barriers

Swimming pools in Spokane require a barrier at least 48 inches tall per the WA State Building Code and IRC Appendix G. Self-closing, self-latching gates opening outward from the pool are required.

Key details: Min Height: 48 inches. Gates: Self-closing, self-latching. Latch Height: 54 inches. Sphere Test: 4 inch max opening. Code: IRC Appendix G / WA.

Non-compliant pool barrier is a building code violation. Stop-use order plus 250 to 1000 dollar fines until corrected.

Compared to other cities, Spokane takes a harder line on pool barriers. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Fence Requirements

Spokane enforces a 20-foot vision clearance triangle at street intersections under SMC 17C.110.240. Fences, hedges, and vegetation over 3 feet tall are prohibited in this triangle.

Key details: Triangle Size: 20 ft from corner. Height Rule: Nothing 3 to 8 ft. Driveway Triangle: 15 ft. Trees: OK if pruned under 8 ft. Code: SMC 17C.110.240.

Notice to prune or remove obstruction. Failure to comply is 100 to 500 dollars and city may remove the obstruction at owner expense.

This is one of the stricter rules in Spokane's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Height Limits

Spokane allows fences up to 7 feet in rear and side yards and 3 feet in front yards under SMC 17C.110.230. Corner lot visibility triangles require lower heights.

Key details: Rear/Side: 7 ft max. Front Yard: 3 ft solid / 4 ft open. Corner Triangle: 3 ft max. Code: SMC 17C.110.230. Over 7 ft: Permit required.

Fences exceeding allowed height are a zoning violation; typical notice to correct or 100 to 500 dollar fines.

Permit Requirements

Residential fences up to 7 feet in Spokane generally do not require a building permit under SMC 17F.040. Fences over 7 feet, retaining walls over 4 feet, and any fence in a critical area require permits.

Key details: Standard Permit: Not required under 7 ft. Wall Permit: Over 7 ft. Retaining Wall: Over 4 ft needs permit. Critical Area: Review required. Code: SMC 17F.040.

Building without a required permit is 200 dollars plus double permit fees. Stop-work orders are common.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Spokane gives residents more flexibility on permit requirements.

Neighbor Fence Rules

Washington has no shared fence cost statute. Spokane property owners are not legally required to split fence costs with neighbors. RCW 7.28 covers boundary disputes; most neighbor issues are civil matters.

Key details: Shared Cost Law: None in WA. Each Owner: Responsible for own fence. Boundary: RCW 7.28 quiet title. Spite Fence: Common law nuisance. City Role: Does not mediate.

Not applicable at city level. Civil remedies via Spokane County Superior Court for boundary or nuisance claims.

Spokane is more permissive than most cities when it comes to neighbor fence rules. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Spokane gives residents more room on fence regulations. 3 of the 6 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Spokane 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.