Fence Regulations in Sammamish, WA (2026)
3 verified fence regulations for Sammamish, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Citywide, Sammamish's adopted building code exempts fences up to 6 feet from a building permit under SMC 16.20.200(2)(b). Within shoreline jurisdiction, SMC 25.07.080(5) makes that 6-foot cap mandatory, except inside the shoreline setback, where a fence upland of the OHWM drops to 42 inches and must use nonsolid materials.
Sammamish Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSammamish Municipal Code § 25.07.080(5); § 16.20.200(2)(b)
(5) Fences. No portion of any fences within shoreline jurisdiction shall exceed six feet in height, as measured from the existing ground elevation along the proposed fence alignment, and shall not be located within wetlands, streams, or SMC 21.03.020 buffers. Fences should be located outside of the shoreline setback upland of the OHWM, in an effort to minimize disruption of wildlife migration a...
Fence Permit Requirements
Sammamish lets you build a fence up to six feet without a building permit. SMC 16.20.200(2)(b) exempts fences not over six feet from the City's permit process, but that exemption drops away for fences inside a critical area or shoreline setback, where a permit is required regardless of height.
Sammamish Fence Height Permit Threshold
Light RestrictionsSammamish Municipal Code § 16.20.200(2)(b)
Permit exemptions for activities outside the footprint of an existing legally established structure shall not apply within critical areas or within the standard shoreline setbacks. ... Permits shall not be required for the following: ... (2) Building. ... (b) Fences not over six feet (1,829 mm) high.
Retaining Walls
Sammamish exempts retaining and rockery walls up to four feet from a building permit, but SMC 16.20.200(2)(d)-(e) draws the line there: taller walls, or any wall bracing a surcharge or holding back Class I, II or III-A liquids, need a full building permit and typically engineered plans.
Sammamish Retaining Wall Height and Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsSammamish Municipal Code § 16.20.200(2)(d)-(e)
(d) Retaining walls which are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids. (e) Rockery walls which are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from finished grade to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liq...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sammamish city rules.
Fence Regulations in King County →