Neighbor Fence Rules: Auburn vs Redmond
How do neighbor fence rules rules compare between Auburn, WA and Redmond, WA?
Redmond has fewer restrictions than Auburn.
Auburn, WA
King County
RCW 16.60 governs boundary fences and cost-sharing in Washington. ACC 18.31.020 controls height and placement. Spite fences allow civil remedy. A survey before building is strongly recommended.
View full Auburn rules →Redmond, WA
King County
Redmond has no city ordinance mandating cost-sharing between neighbors for boundary fences. Washington RCW 16.60 addresses spite fences and agricultural boundary fencing, otherwise civil disputes.
View full Redmond rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Auburn | Redmond |
|---|---|---|
| State Law | RCW 16.60 | - |
| Cost Sharing | Private agreement | - |
| Mediation King | (206) 443-9603 | - |
| Spite Fences | Civil remedy | - |
| Cost-Sharing Mandate | - | None (civil) |
| Spite Fence | - | Actionable in court |
| Survey | - | Strongly recommended |
| Code | - | RCW 16.60 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Auburn FAQ
Who pays for a shared fence in Auburn?
Washington law allows proportional cost-sharing when both benefit (RCW 16.60), but most suburban fence costs are resolved privately. Auburn does not arbitrate.
My neighbor built a fence on my property. What can I do?
Get a boundary survey. If the fence encroaches, try mediation through King County Dispute Resolution Center before filing a civil claim.
Redmond FAQ
Does my neighbor have to help pay for our shared fence?
Not under Redmond or Washington law unless you have a written agreement. Cost-sharing is a civil matter between neighbors.
Can I sue over a spite fence?
Yes. Washington courts recognize spite-fence claims where a fence is built primarily to annoy a neighbor with no legitimate purpose.
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