Fence Regulations in Auburn, WA (2026)
7 verified fence regulations for Auburn, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Auburn caps fences at 42 inches in front setback areas under ACC 18.31.020. Interior fences may reach the zone maximum building height. A 6 percent measurement tolerance applies.
Auburn Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsPermit Requirements
Auburn requires a building permit for fences over 6 feet under IRC R105.2. Fences 6 feet or less need no permit but must meet ACC 18.31.020 zoning. Retaining walls over 4 feet need a permit.
Auburn Fence Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsNeighbor Fence Rules
RCW 16.60 governs boundary fences and cost-sharing in Washington. ACC 18.31.020 controls height and placement. Spite fences allow civil remedy. A survey before building is strongly recommended.
Auburn Boundary Fence and Neighbor Rules
Some RestrictionsChapter 16.60 RCW
Chapter 16.60 RCW FENCES Complete chapter HTML PDF RCW dispositions Sections HTML PDF 16.60.010 Lawful fence defined. HTML PDF 16.60.011 Other lawful fences. HTML PDF 16.60.015 Liability for damages — Restraint — Notice. HTML PDF 16.60.020 Partition fence — Reimbursement. HTML PDF 16.60.030 Partition fence — Erection — Notice. HTML PDF 16.60.040 Partition fence — Failure to build — Recovery of ...
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls over 4 feet from footing to top require a building permit and engineering in Auburn under IRC R105.2. Walls near Lea Hill and Lakeland steep slopes face critical area review.
Auburn Retaining Wall Rules
Some RestrictionsPool Barriers
Pools over 24 inches deep need a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates under the Washington State Building Code and IRC Appendix G as adopted in Auburn. Openings must not pass a 4-inch sphere.
Auburn Swimming Pool Barrier Rules
Heavy RestrictionsFence Requirements
Auburn fences must be structurally sound, maintained, and built within property lines under ACC 18.31.020. Sight triangles cap 42 inches at driveways. Critical areas need extra review.
Auburn Fence Construction Requirements
Some RestrictionsMaterial Restrictions
Auburn restricts electric and barbed-wire fences in residential zones under ACC 18.31.020. Wood, vinyl, chain link, and ornamental iron are allowed. RC agricultural zones may allow barbed wire.
Auburn Fence Material Restrictions
Some RestrictionsLooking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Auburn city rules.
Fence Regulations in King County →