Fence Regulations in Clark County, WA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Clark County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In unincorporated Clark County, a fence or wall (or a combined berm and fence/wall) may not exceed six feet above finished grade at its base, unless the review authority approves added height. Fences must not obstruct intersection sight distance.
Fence Height Limits in Unincorporated Clark County
Some RestrictionsCCC 40.320.010(C)(2)(a)
A fence or wall (or a combination of a berm and fence or wall) may not exceed a height of six (6) feet above the finished grade at the base of the fence or wall (or at the base of a berm, if combined with one) unless the review authority finds additional height is necessary to mitigate potential adverse effects.
Fence Permit Requirements
Unincorporated Clark County does not require a building permit for fences seven feet or less in height. Fences over seven feet, and retaining walls over four feet (or any wall carrying a surcharge), do require a permit.
Do You Need a Fence Permit in Clark County?
Some RestrictionsClark County Residential Permits (fence/retaining-wall thresholds)
Fences seven feet or less in height do not require a permit. ... A permit is needed for retaining walls over 4' in height or retaining walls at any height that carries a surcharge.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Clark County does not set a cost-sharing rule for boundary fences; that is a private matter under Washington law. County code does let neighbors agree in writing to exceed height limits within setbacks, and lets walls or fences between commonly owned lots exceed those limits.
Shared and Boundary Fence Rules in Clark County
Some RestrictionsCCC 40.320.010(F)(4)(f)
Permission to exceed the height limits within the setback is granted in writing from the abutting property owner.
Retaining Walls
Clark County allows retaining walls four feet or less (and fences seven feet or less) within easements. Walls over four feet, or fences over seven feet, must meet the underlying zone's setbacks, with specific exceptions. Walls over four feet need a permit and engineering.
Retaining Wall Rules in Clark County
Some RestrictionsCCC 40.320.010(F)(4)
The construction of retaining walls in excess of four (4) feet in height and fences in excess of seven (7) feet in height shall meet the setback requirements of the underlying zone, except as authorized below. The height of a fence on top of retaining walls shall be measured to the grade at the bottom of the wall.
Material Restrictions
Clark County requires screening fences to use permanent materials. Allowed materials include wood, metal, brick, and masonry; chain link with slats is allowed only for the partial (F1) standard, and non-sight-obscuring chain link or wrought iron is permitted atop low retaining walls.
Approved Fence Materials in Clark County
Some RestrictionsCCC 40.320.010(F)(4)(h)
Non-sight-obscuring fences such as chain link or wrought iron seven (7) feet high or less and sight-obscuring fences forty-two (42) inches high on top of retaining walls no greater than four (4) feet tall are allowed within setbacks per Figure 40.320.010-8.
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