Fence Regulations in Olympia, WA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Olympia, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In the City of Olympia, Washington, a fence inside a required yard tops out at 48 inches in the front yard and 72 inches in side, flanking side and rear yards, with a 30 inch cap in the clear sight triangle at corner lots. OMC 18.40.060(C) treats the front yard as the first 10 feet of a lot abutting a public street, excluding alleys.
Olympia WA Fence Height Limits by Yard
Some RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.40.060(C)(1)
For the purpose of fencing, the front yard is considered to be the first 10 feet of any lot, tract, or parcel that abuts a public street or right of way, excluding alleys. Corner lots adjacent to two public rights of way shall have a front yard and a flanking side yard. 1. Fence Heights: a. Fences, when located within a required yard, shall not exceed the following height limits: i. Front yard ...
Fence Permit Requirements
In the City of Olympia, Washington, property owners are responsible for keeping fences within property lines and for getting a building permit when required. A bracketed note in OMC 18.40.060(C) states that a building permit is required for all fences exceeding seven feet in height, and the Department handles administrative exceptions to the height limits.
Olympia WA Fence Permit Requirements
Light RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.40.060(C)
C. Fences/Hedges, Walls and Site Perimeter Grading. It shall be the responsibility of property owners to ensure fences are within property lines and that a building permit is obtained when required. "Fences" as used in this section includes walls and similar above-grade unenclosed structures forming a continuous or nearly continuous line or row exceeding six feet in length. Also see definition,...
Retaining Walls
In the City of Olympia, Washington, no single retaining wall within a required yard can exceed 30 inches, measured from the lowest adjacent grade, and walls within five horizontal feet of each other count together. OMC 18.40.060(C)(6) also caps grade changes at 30 inches within five feet of a property line and 60 inches within 10 feet.
Olympia WA Retaining Wall Limits in Yards
Some RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.40.060(C)(6)
6. Site Perimeter Grading. Within required yard areas, no single retaining wall (nor combination of walls within five horizontal feet of each other) shall exceed a height of 30 inches as measured from the lowest adjacent grade, nor shall any modification of grades or combination of retaining walls result in grade changes exceeding 30 inches within five feet of a property line nor 60 inches with...
Material Restrictions
In the City of Olympia, Washington, a barbed or razor wire fence is barred within 10 feet of a street, alley or other public place, except for government-owned or privately owned utility property where security is mandated by law. Electric fences are unlawful except farm fencing and permitted electric security fences around outdoor storage areas in specific zones.
Olympia WA Barbed Wire and Electric Fence Rules
Significant RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.40.060(C)(9)-(10)
9. Barbed and/or razor wire fences. No person or persons being the owner of or agent for or in possession and control of any property within the city limits shall construct or permit to exist any fence around or in front of such premises, consisting wholly or partially of barbed and/or razor wire, except to provide security at a government-owned property or privately owned utility where securit...
Looking for Thurston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Olympia city rules.
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