Fence Regulations in Federal Way, WA (2026)
3 verified fence regulations for Federal Way, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Federal Way caps ordinary fences and railings in required yards at six feet, and electrified fences at 10 feet, under FWRC 19.125.160(5). Stack a fence with a retaining wall and the combined height is still capped at six feet, with a narrow safety-rail exception.
Federal Way Fence Height Limit in Yards
Some RestrictionsFWRC 19.125.160(5)
(5) Fences and railings not over six feet in height, and electrified fences not over 10 feet in height, may be located in required yards subject to the fence regulations contained within this chapter. When a rockery or retaining wall is also located in the required yard within five feet of the fence or railing, the total combined height of the fence and the rockery or retaining wall may be no m...
Retaining Walls
Federal Way caps residential rockeries and retaining walls at six feet, measured from finished grade to the top of the wall, and requires a graduated setback from the house. Commercial and multifamily walls face the same six-foot cap under FWRC 19.120.120.
Federal Way Retaining Wall Height Rules
Some RestrictionsFWRC 19.120.120
When incorporating rockeries and retaining walls into site design, the applicant shall work with the site topography in order to minimize the need for rockeries and retaining walls. When rockeries and/or retaining walls are utilized, the following standards shall apply: (1) For single-family residential lots, rockeries and retaining walls shall be: (a) A maximum of six feet in height as measure...
Material Restrictions
Federal Way bans razor wire fencing outright, allows barbed wire only atop a six-foot fence or wall or between two agricultural properties, and forbids electrified fences except in specific zones and use types under FWRC 19.125.120 through 19.125.140.
Federal Way Barbed Wire and Electric Fences
Significant RestrictionsFWRC 19.125.120, 19.125.130, 19.125.140
19.125.120 Barbed wire. Barbed wire is permitted only atop a fence or a wall at least six feet in height or between two agricultural uses. 19.125.130 Electrified fences. Electrified fences are not permitted, except as specifically permitted by this chapter. All electric fences shall be posted with permanent signs, which are a minimum of 36 square inches in area, at intervals of 15 feet along th...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Federal Way city rules.
Fence Regulations in King County →