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Fence Regulations in Richland, WA (2026)

4 verified fence regulations for Richland, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Height Limits

In the City of Richland, Washington, open fences such as chain link, wrought iron or picket can reach six feet anywhere on the lot but drop to four feet within the street right-of-way, while solid fences top out at six feet in the yard and three feet near the street. Corner and triple-frontage lots must additionally set fencing back from the flanking street to preserve sight lines.

Richland Fence Height Limits and Corner Sight Triangle

Some Restrictions

Richland Municipal Code § 23.38.070(A)-(C), (F)

Fences are permitted as follows: A. Open Fences (fences constructed of panels/sections with at least 50 percent open spaces such as nonslatted chain link, wrought iron, picket or rail fencing). 1. Six feet high, anywhere on the lot; provided, that they shall be no closer to a street right-of-way than the building setback line in the same zone ... ... 2. Four feet high, anywhere on the lot and w...

Fence Permit Requirements

In the City of Richland, Washington, fences up to six feet high can be built inside the property line along arterial streets when a subdivision plat already allows it or the administrative official grants special approval, but the property owner must submit a treatment plan for the abutting strip of land as part of the building permit application process.

Richland Fence Permits Near Arterial Streets

Some Restrictions

Richland Municipal Code § 23.38.070(E)

E. Fences up to six feet high may be built inside the property line and adjacent to arterial streets on lots having access to other streets when provisions for other such fencing are included in approved subdivision plats in accordance with RMC § 24.08.140 and § 24.16.260 or when special approval is granted by the administrative official. When fences are constructed under this provision, the fo...

Retaining Walls

In the City of Richland, Washington, anyone building a retaining wall inside a street right-of-way must get a permit from the public works director before work starts, under Richland Municipal Code § 12.12.010. The permit fee is $40.00. The director must refuse the permit if the fronting street isn't fully improved, the wall would create a traffic sight hazard, or, where there's no sidewalk yet, the wall would sit closer than four feet to the curb.

Richland Retaining Wall Permits in the Right-of-Way

Some Restrictions

Richland Municipal Code §§ 12.12.010, 12.12.030, 12.12.060

§ 12.12.010. Permit required. ... It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to construct a retaining wall in any street right-of-way in the city without first having obtained from the public works director a permit for the construction of a retaining wall. The fee for each permit shall be $40.00. ... ... C. When the street in front of the property to be served by the proposed retaining...

Material Restrictions

In the City of Richland, Washington, barbed wire and electrically charged fences are prohibited citywide except in two narrow cases: agricultural zones confining livestock, and general business C-3, business and industrial zones or public-facility zones using barbed wire around outdoor storage or for security.

Richland Barbed Wire and Electric Fence Rules

Significant Restrictions

Richland Municipal Code § 23.38.070(G)

G. Barbed Wire and Electric Fences. The use of barbed wire and electrically charged fences is prohibited except as follows: 1. Such fences may be used in areas zoned for agricultural uses for the purpose of confining livestock. 2. Barbed wire fences may be used in general business C-3 district, business and industrial, zones around outdoor storage areas, and in any zone for security around publ...

Looking for Benton County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Richland city rules.

Fence Regulations in Benton County