Fence Regulations in Spokane Valley, WA (2026)
4 verified fence regulations for Spokane Valley, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Spokane Valley caps residential front-yard fences at 36 inches if they block sight lines or 48 inches if they don't, such as chain link. SVMC § 22.70.020(A)-(B) allows up to eight feet on flanking, side, or rear yards behind the front setback, and fence height is always measured from the ground at the fence's base.
Spokane Valley Residential Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Code § 22.70.020(A), (B), (D), (I)
A. In residential zoning districts, the height of a fence within the front yard shall be: 1. Thirty-six inches or less for sight-obstructing fences; or 2. Forty-eight inches or less for non-sight-obstructing fences, such as chain link fences. B. In residential zoning districts, fences shall not exceed eight feet in height when located on a flanking, side, or rear yard behind the minimum require...
Fence Permit Requirements
Spokane Valley doesn't require a permit for a standard residential fence, but a nonresidential fence over eight feet needs a conditional use permit. SVMC § 22.70.020(C) sets that trigger, reviewed under the CUP criteria in Chapter 19.150 SVMC, with the electric fence height exception in § 22.70.020(H) as the only carve-out.
Spokane Valley Nonresidential Fence Permit Trigger
Significant RestrictionsSpokane Valley Code § 22.70.020(C)
In nonresidential zoning districts, fences shall not exceed eight feet in height without a conditional use permit except as provided in SVMC § 22.70.020(H).
Retaining Walls
Spokane Valley exempts retaining wall excavation from a grading permit only when the wall itself is authorized by a valid building permit and the unsupported excavated height stays at four feet or less. Anything taller triggers full grading permit review under SVMC § 24.50.020(C).
Retaining Wall Excavation Permits in Spokane Valley
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Code § 24.50.020(C)
An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, retaining wall, or other structure authorized by a valid building permit; provided excavation having an unsupported height greater than four feet after the completion of such structure shall not be exempt. Use of, placement, and fill made with any material from any such excavation shall be subject to the requirements o...
Material Restrictions
Spokane Valley limits barbed wire to the top quarter of a nonresidential security fence and bans it next to residential zones altogether. SVMC § 22.70.020(E)-(H) also caps electric fences at 10 feet for outdoor storage or 8 feet to confine animals, and requires warning signs, a non-electric outer fence, and a low-voltage energizer.
Spokane Valley Barbed Wire and Electric Fence Rules
Some RestrictionsSpokane Valley Code § 22.70.020(E)-(H)
E. In nonresidential zoning districts, barbed wire may be used for security purposes only on the upper one-quarter of the fence unless the use is adjacent to a residential zoning district, in which case no barbed wire shall be allowed on the portion of the fence adjacent to the residential zoning district. F. In residential zoning districts, barbed wire fences may only be used to confine animal...
Looking for Spokane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Spokane Valley city rules.
Fence Regulations in Spokane County →