How Yakima Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide

Yakima maintains 106 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Yakima falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Fence Requirements

Yakima's general fence requirements are set in YMC 15.05.020(G) of Title 15 YUAZO. Fences and walls must be on or behind the property line, height limits vary by district and yard (4 feet within the front setback, 6 feet residential elsewhere, 8 feet commercial/industrial), and no fence, hedge, or wall over 2.5 feet may be placed in the clear view triangles established under YMC 15.05.040. All fences over 6 feet must meet the International Building Code. Combined fence-and-retaining-wall structures may not exceed 10 feet measured from the lower elevation. Building permits are required for fences over 7 feet under the Washington State Building Code adopted in YMC 11.04.

Key details: Authority: YMC 15.05.020(G) and YMC 15.05.040 (clear view triangle). Property Line Rule: Fence must be on or behind property line. Front Setback Cap: 4 feet. Residential Yard Max: 6 feet (8 feet rear yard along arterial). Commercial/Industrial Max: 8 feet.

A fence over the height limit for its yard and zoning district violates YMC 15.05.020(G). A fence, hedge, or wall over 2.5 feet inside a YMC 15.05.040 clear view triangle is a sight-distance violation. A fence over 6 feet that does not meet IBC structural and wind-load standards violates the chapter. A combined fence-plus-retaining-wall over 10 feet (lower elevation) violates the combined-structure cap. A fence over 7 feet without a building permit violates the Washington State Building Code adopted under YMC 11.04.

Height Limits

Yakima fence heights are governed by YMC 15.05.020(G) of the Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance (Title 15 YUAZO). In the front yard within the required setback, no fence or wall may exceed 4 feet. In residential districts, 6 feet is the maximum height in the front yard behind the required setback, and 6 feet is the maximum in side and rear yards (8 feet where the rear yard abuts a designated arterial). In commercial and industrial districts, 8 feet is the maximum in all yards behind the front-yard setback. Within a clear view triangle (YMC 15.05.040), no fence, hedge, or wall may exceed 2.5 feet. All fences over 6 feet must meet the provisions of the International Building Code.

Key details: Front Yard Setback Max: 4 feet (YMC 15.05.020(G)). Residential Front Behind Setback: 6 feet maximum. Residential Side/Rear Yard: 6 feet (8 feet when rear abuts designated arterial). Commercial/Industrial Max: 8 feet in all yards behind front setback. Clear View Triangle Max: 2.5 feet (YMC 15.05.040).

A front-yard fence taller than 4 feet within the required front setback violates YMC 15.05.020(G). A residential side or rear fence over 6 feet (or over 8 feet where the rear abuts a designated arterial) violates Title 15. Any fence over 2.5 feet within a YMC 15.05.040 clear view triangle violates the sight-distance rule. A combined fence-plus-retaining-wall structure taller than 10 feet from the lower elevation is non-compliant. Enforcement is by the City of Yakima Planning Division and Codes Division.

Permit Requirements

In the City of Yakima, fences over 7 feet in height require a building permit issued by the Codes Division, per the Washington State Building Code adopted in YMC 11.04 (which incorporates the IBC under WAC 51-50). Fences 7 feet or shorter are exempt from a building permit but must still comply with YMC 15.05.020(G) location, height, and clear-view-triangle standards, and YMC 15.05.020(G) also requires that all fences over 6 feet meet the provisions of the International Building Code. Fences within a public right-of-way require a right-of-way use license with annual fees and a certificate of insurance filed with City Codes.

Key details: Building Permit Threshold: Fences over 7 feet require a building permit. Permit Authority: City of Yakima Codes Division. Codes Adopted: YMC 11.04 adopts Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-50, IBC). Over 6 Feet IBC Compliance: Required by YMC 15.05.020(G). Right-of-Way Fences: Require right-of-way use license, annual fees, certificate of insurance.

Constructing a fence over 7 feet without a City of Yakima building permit violates YMC 11.04 and the adopted Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-50). A fence over 6 feet that does not meet IBC structural standards violates YMC 15.05.020(G). Erecting a fence in a public right-of-way without a right-of-way use license and the required annual fees and certificate of insurance violates the Yakima Codes Division rules and can trigger removal at the owner's expense.

Neighbor Fence Rules

Yakima's Title 15 zoning code regulates fence height, location, and clear-view triangles, but does not impose a cost-sharing requirement on adjoining neighbors. The City of Yakima Planning FAQ states that a fence 'must be on or behind the property line,' and the Town does not survey property lines or arbitrate private boundary disputes. Boundary and partition-fence issues between neighbors are governed by Washington State common law and statutes (including RCW 16.60 fencing of livestock), not by the Yakima Municipal Code. Property line determination is the owner's responsibility, generally through a Washington licensed land surveyor.

Key details: Property Line Placement: Fence must be on or behind property line (Yakima Planning FAQ). Cost-Sharing Mandate: None in Yakima Municipal Code. Finished-Side Rule: No municipal requirement in Yakima. Clear View Triangle: 2.5-foot max applies regardless of neighbor agreement (YMC 15.05.040). Street Side Yard Limit: 6-foot fence may not extend past front corner of dwelling.

A fence placed beyond the property line is a private trespass; the City does not enforce this but a court can order removal. A fence in the clear view triangle violates YMC 15.05.040 and 15.05.020(G) and can be cited regardless of neighbor agreement. A 6-foot street side yard fence in a residential district that extends past the front corner of the dwelling into the front yard violates YMC 15.05.020(G).

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

Retaining Walls

Yakima regulates retaining structures under YMC 15.05.020(G), which caps the combined height of a fence and retaining wall at 10 feet measured from the lower elevation. Existing retaining walls at the time the title was passed are allowed a 3.5-foot fence above the retaining wall. Retaining walls are also subject to the Washington State Building Code adopted in YMC 11.04, which incorporates the International Building Code (WAC 51-50) and International Residential Code (WAC 51-51). IRC R404 (Foundation Walls / Retaining Walls) generally requires engineered design for retaining walls over 4 feet measured bottom of footing to top of wall.

Key details: Fence + Retaining Wall Cap: 10 feet from lower elevation (YMC 15.05.020(G)). Pre-existing Retaining Wall Exception: 3.5-foot fence allowed above existing wall. Engineered Design Threshold: Over 4 feet unbalanced backfill (IRC R404 / WAC 51-51). State Building Code: WAC 51-50 (IBC) and WAC 51-51 (IRC) adopted in YMC 11.04. Statutory Framework: RCW 19.27 - Washington State Building Code Act.

A combined fence-plus-retaining-wall structure taller than 10 feet from the lower elevation violates YMC 15.05.020(G). A retaining wall over 4 feet (bottom of footing to top of wall) or supporting a surcharge built without engineered design and a building permit violates the Washington State Building Code adopted in YMC 11.04 and IRC R404 (WAC 51-51). Retaining walls in the public right-of-way without a right-of-way use license must be removed at the owner's expense.

Pool Barriers

Pool barriers in Yakima are governed by the Washington State Residential Code (WAC 51-51) adopted in YMC 11.22, which incorporates IRC Appendix V (Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs). AGV105.2 requires a barrier at least 48 inches above grade on the side facing away from the pool, with no opening permitting passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere, a maximum 2-inch grade-to-bottom clearance (4 inches over concrete or fixed solid material), and pedestrian access gates that open outward away from the pool with self-closing and self-latching devices. Yakima's YMC 15.05.020(G) 6-foot residential fence height and clear-view-triangle rules apply to the perimeter fence used as a barrier.

Key details: Minimum Barrier Height: 48 inches above grade (IRC App. V / WAC 51-51). Max Sphere Opening: No 4-inch sphere may pass through (AGV105.2 Item 2). Max Grade Clearance: 2 inches (4 inches over concrete/solid surface). Pedestrian Gate: Self-closing, self-latching, opens outward (Item 8). Code Adoption: YMC 11.22 adopts Washington State Residential Code (WAC 51-51).

A residential pool barrier shorter than 48 inches above grade violates IRC Appendix V (WAC 51-51) as adopted by YMC 11.22. A barrier with openings allowing a 4-inch sphere to pass, or with a grade-to-bottom gap over 2 inches (4 inches over concrete/solid surface), is non-compliant. A pedestrian access gate that does not open outward, is not self-closing, or lacks a self-latching device violates AGV105.2 Item 8. Failed barrier inspection by the City of Yakima Codes Division will block final pool approval.

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

Approved Materials

Title 15 YUAZO does not list specific permitted fence materials. YMC 15.05.020(G) regulates fence height, location, and clear-view triangles but is silent on material type for general residential and commercial fences. Sitescreening fences under YMC 15.07 must meet type-specific material standards (sight-obscuring solid materials for Type A, combinations for Types B and C). Fences over 6 feet must meet the International Building Code adopted under YMC 11.04 (WAC 51-50), which governs structural and material safety. There is no Yakima Municipal Code 'finished side' rule for residential fences.

Key details: Material List: Title 15 does not enumerate permitted materials. Common Materials: Wood, masonry, vinyl, metal, composite generally allowed. Sitescreening: Type A requires sight-obscuring materials (YMC 15.07). Finished-Side Rule: Not imposed by Yakima Municipal Code. Over 6 Feet: Must meet International Building Code.

A sitescreening fence that does not meet the required material standard for its assigned screening type under YMC 15.07 violates the chapter and may have to be replaced. A fence over 6 feet that fails to meet IBC structural provisions violates YMC 15.05.020(G). A fence in a public right-of-way without a right-of-way use license must be removed. A fence over 7 feet built without a building permit under YMC 11.04 / WAC 51-50 is a code violation.

The rules around approved materials in Yakima lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Material Restrictions

Yakima's Title 15 YUAZO does not enumerate a closed list of prohibited fence materials. YMC 15.05.020(G) regulates fence location, height, and the clear view triangle, but does not list barbed wire, electric fence, plywood, or chain link as expressly prohibited materials. Fences over 6 feet must meet the International Building Code as adopted under WAC 51-50, which addresses structural and safety standards. Sitescreening fences used to buffer between zoning districts must meet the standards of YMC Chapter 15.07 (Sitescreening), including required materials and screening types. Fences in the public right-of-way require a right-of-way use license through City Codes.

Key details: Material List: Title 15 does not enumerate prohibited materials. Sitescreening: YMC 15.07 sets material standards for screening between districts. Over 6 Feet: Must meet International Building Code. Building Code Authority: YMC 11.04 / WAC 51-50. Right-of-Way Fences: Require right-of-way use license, annual fee, insurance certificate.

A sitescreening fence that does not meet the type-specific material and design standards of YMC Chapter 15.07 violates that chapter. A fence over 6 feet that does not meet the International Building Code (per YMC 15.05.020(G)) is non-compliant. A fence in the public right-of-way without a right-of-way use license must be removed at the owner's expense. Because Title 15 does not enumerate material prohibitions, owners must confirm with the Codes Division that proposed materials comply with the Washington State Building Code adopted under YMC 11.04.

Yakima is more permissive than most cities when it comes to material restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Yakima gives residents more room on fence regulations. 3 of the 8 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.

All of the above reflects Yakima's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.