How Yakima Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide
Yakima maintains 119 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 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.
Retaining Walls
A fence stacked atop a retaining wall in Yakima's urban area can't exceed ten feet total height, measured from the lower grade, under the zoning code's site design standards.
Key details: Combined height cap: 10 ft from lower grade. Pre-existing wall exception: 3.5 ft fence allowed above. Material rule: nonstandard material needs engineer certification. Citation: YMC § 15.05.020(G)(6); § 15.09.210.
A fence-and-retaining-wall combination over the ten-foot cap, or use of uncertified nonstandard wall material, is a zoning code violation subject to a correction or removal order from the city's community development department.
Fence Permit Requirements
Yakima's Residential Code amendment exempts fences up to seven feet tall from a building permit; taller fences require a permit reviewed by the city's code administration division under Chapter 11.22.
Key details: Permit-exempt height: Up to 7 feet. Governing code: 2021 WA Residential Code, as amended. Enforcing office: Code administration division. Applies to: Fences and walls citywide.
Erecting an over-height fence without a permit can draw a stop-work order and code enforcement action from the code administration division until the required permit is obtained.
Yakima is more permissive than most cities when it comes to fence permit requirements. That said, there are still limits.
Material Restrictions
Where zoning requires a sitescreening fence between differing land uses, Yakima's Standard C option only allows wood, masonry block, concrete, or slatted chain link, at six feet high with a planting strip.
Key details: Allowed materials: Wood, masonry, concrete, slatted chain link. Required height: 6 feet, view-obscuring. Planting strip: 3 ft wide if street-facing. Governing section: YMC § 15.07.040(A).
Installing a required sitescreening fence in a non-listed material, or without the accompanying planting strip, fails site plan review and can hold up final building or occupancy approval.
Height Limits
Yakima caps residential fences at 4 feet in the front setback, 6 feet behind it and in side/rear yards, 8 feet in commercial and industrial zones, and 2.5 feet in the clear view triangle.
Key details: Front setback fence max: 4 feet. Residential fence max (behind setback): 6 feet, 8 feet on arterials. Commercial/industrial fence max: 8 feet. Clear view triangle max: 2.5 feet. Fences over 6 feet: Must meet IBC standards.
Fences exceeding the standard height or built within the clear view triangle violate YMC § 15.05.020(G) and are enforced as zoning code violations subject to correction under Yakima's development permit process.
The Bottom Line
Yakima'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 Yakima is broadly strict or permissive.
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.