Height Limits: Bellevue vs Kirkland
How do height limits rules compare between Bellevue, WA and Kirkland, WA?
Bellevue and Kirkland have similar restriction levels.
Bellevue, WA
King County
Bellevue caps fences at 4 ft in front yards and 6 ft in side and rear yards under LUC 20.20.400. Corner visibility triangles limit height to 3 ft. Fences over 6 ft need a permit.
View full Bellevue rules →Kirkland, WA
King County
Under KZC 115.40, Kirkland fences may be up to 6 feet except within 15 feet of a street curb. Properties on a neighborhood access or collector street are capped at 3.5 feet in the front yard.
View full Kirkland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bellevue | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | 4 feet max | - |
| Side/Rear | 6 feet max | - |
| Sight Triangle | 3 feet within 15 ft | - |
| Code | LUC 20.20.400 | KZC 115.40 |
| General Max | - | 6 feet |
| Front Yard Arterial | - | 3.5 feet |
| Street Curb Zone | - | 15 ft limit |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bellevue FAQ
How tall can my fence be in Bellevue?
4 feet in the front yard and 6 feet in side and rear yards. Fences over 6 feet require a building permit.
Are corner lots treated differently?
Yes. Fences within 15 feet of a street intersection are capped at 3 feet for visibility under LUC 20.20.400.
Kirkland FAQ
How tall can my fence be in Kirkland?
6 feet in most locations. Lots on neighborhood access or collector streets are limited to 3.5 feet in the front yard, and fences cannot exceed 3.5 feet within 15 feet of a street curb.
Does the 6-foot rule include a retaining wall underneath?
If the retaining wall and fence are within 5 feet of each other in a required yard, their combined height cannot exceed 6 feet under KZC 115.40.
Compare other topics
See how Bellevue and Kirkland compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool