Neighbor Fence Rules: Bellevue vs Redmond
How do neighbor fence rules rules compare between Bellevue, WA and Redmond, WA?
Redmond has fewer restrictions than Bellevue.
Bellevue, WA
King County
RCW 16.60 governs boundary fences and cost-sharing in Washington. LUC 20.20.400 controls height and placement. Spite fences allow civil remedy. Get a survey before building near lines.
View full Bellevue 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 | Bellevue | Redmond |
|---|---|---|
| State Law | RCW 16.60 | - |
| Cost Sharing | Private agreement | - |
| Mediation | (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.
Bellevue FAQ
Who pays for a fence on the property line?
Washington law suggests proportional sharing when both benefit, but most suburban fence costs are resolved by private agreement or small claims court.
My neighbor built a fence I think is on my land. What do I do?
Get a property survey. If the fence is on your land, try mediation through King County Dispute Resolution Center before pursuing 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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