Permit Requirements: Federal Way vs Kent
How do permit requirements rules compare between Federal Way, WA and Kent, WA?
Federal Way and Kent have similar restriction levels.
Federal Way, WA
King County
Fences up to 6 feet in residential zones do not require a permit in Federal Way. Fences over 6 feet, retaining walls over 4 feet, and critical area or shoreline fences require permits.
View full Federal Way rules →Kent, WA
King County
Kent requires a building permit for fences over 7 feet tall or for any fence on critical area or shoreline parcels. Fences under 7 feet generally do not require a permit but must meet KCC 15.08 height limits.
View full Kent rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Federal Way | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Fence | No permit up to 6 ft | - |
| Over 6 feet | Permit required | - |
| Retaining Wall | Permit over 4 ft | - |
| Permit Center | (253) 835-2607 | - |
| No Permit Needed | - | Under 7 feet |
| Permit Needed | - | Over 7 feet or critical area |
| Planning Desk | - | (253) 856-5454 |
| Code | - | KCC 15.08 / WAC 51-50 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Federal Way FAQ
Do I need a permit for a 6-foot fence in Federal Way?
No, standard residential fences 6 feet or shorter do not require a building permit, but must comply with zoning setbacks and sight triangles.
Does a Federal Way retaining wall need a permit?
Retaining walls over 4 feet tall require a building permit with engineering calculations. Shorter walls may not, unless they support a surcharge.
Kent FAQ
Do I need a permit for a fence in Kent?
Only for fences over 7 feet tall or in shoreline or critical area zones. Most residential fences under 7 feet are permit-exempt but still zoning-regulated.
Who do I call about Kent fence rules?
Kent Current Planning Division at (253) 856-5454 for zoning questions and sight-triangle checks before installation.
Compare other topics
See how Federal Way and Kent 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