Fence Regulations in Lakewood, WA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Lakewood, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Lakewood caps residential fences at six feet in the interior and rear yards and four feet in the front yard under LMC 18A.60.090(B)(12), with two exceptions raising the front limit to six feet. A separate corner-lot vision triangle under (A)(9) bars anything three to nine feet tall within 20 feet of an intersection.
Lakewood, WA Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsLMC 18A.60.090(A)(9), (B)(12)(a)-(c)
9. On a corner lot in any district, nothing shall be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as materially to impede vision between a height of three (3) feet and nine (9) feet above the grade of the centerline of each intersecting street, and a line joining points along the street lines twenty (20) feet from the point of the intersection. ... ... 12. Fences Within the Requ...
Fence Permit Requirements
A Lakewood fence needs a permit in two situations under LMC 18A.60.090(B)(12): any fence over six feet outright requires a variance and a building permit, and any electric fence, even under six feet, needs a director's determination application processed as a building permit review before installation.
Lakewood, WA Fence Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsLMC 18A.60.090(B)(12)(c)(iii), (e)(i)
iii. Except as allowed in conjunction with a design review permit application for commercial/industrial development, the maximum height permitted outright shall be six (6) feet. Any fence exceeding six (6) feet in height shall first obtain a variance and building permit. ... e. ... Electric Fences. The construction and use of electric fences shall be allowed pursuant to a director’s determinati...
Retaining Walls
Lakewood allows a retaining wall or bulkhead within a required yard setback up to four feet tall on the front property line and eight feet on side or rear lines, under LMC 18A.60.090(B)(13). A wall four feet or under is exempt from a building permit under LMC 15.05.060(A), which amends the state building code locally.
Lakewood, WA Retaining Wall Rules
Some RestrictionsLMC 18A.60.090(B)(13)
13. Bulkheads and Retaining Walls. Any structure constructed and erected between lands of different elevations which is used to resist the lateral displacement of any material, control erosion, or protect structures may be placed within required yard setbacks to a maximum height of four (4) feet on front property lines and eight (8) feet on side and rear property lines, provided all applicable ...
Material Restrictions
Lakewood bans barbed wire, razor wire, embedded glass, and other injury-causing anti-entry materials on fences in residential zoning districts under LMC 18A.60.090(B)(12)(d). Electric fences are barred from residential zones entirely and allowed only in commercial and industrial zones, subject to a director's determination and detailed construction standards.
Lakewood, WA Fence Material Rules
Significant RestrictionsLMC 18A.60.090(B)(12)(d)-(e)
d. In residential zoning districts, are not constructed of barbed wire, razor wire, embedded glass, or other similar materials, construction, or anti-entry techniques that may cause injury. e. Electric Fences. The construction and use of electric fences shall be allowed pursuant to a director’s determination in the C1, C2, C3, TOC, IBP, I1, I2 and P/I zones, subject to the following standards: ...
Looking for Pierce County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lakewood city rules.
Fence Regulations in Pierce County →