Fence Regulations in Island County, WA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Island County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In Freeland's Non-Municipal Urban Growth Area, a wall or fence inside the required front yard setback cannot exceed four feet, and none may sit inside a corner visibility triangle at an intersection, under Island County Code Section 17.06.540.F.1. Approved materials are limited to masonry, ornamental metal, and wood; chain link, plastic, wire fencing, and eco-blocks are banned outright.
Island County Freeland Fence Height Limit
Some RestrictionsIsland County Code § 17.06.540
a.Walls and fences shall be made of masonry (brick or stone), ornamental metal, or wood, or some combination of the three (3). The use of chain link, plastic, wire fencing and/or eco-blocks is prohibited. ... e.No wall or fence shall be constructed within the corner visibility triangles for walls/fencing as shown in Figure 17.06.520.E.6.f.No wall or fence within the required front yard setback ...
Fence Permit Requirements
Within the Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve in unincorporated Island County, no fence goes up without a certificate of appropriateness: fences under six feet get ministerial Level A sign-off from Planning staff, while taller fences need a Level C hearing before the Historic Preservation Commission.
Fence Permits in Ebey's Landing Reserve
Significant RestrictionsIsland County Code § 17.04A.100
Level A certificate of appropriateness. ... A ministerial decision issued by the Planning Director for the development activities listed below. ... F.Retaining walls and fences < six (6) feet in height.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Unincorporated Island County does not require fences to sit inside a property's building setback: Island County Code section 17.03.180.S.7.e states plainly that "fences, retaining walls and similar structures may be built on the property line," one of the code's general exceptions to its standard yard setback rules.
Island County Property-Line Fence Rules
Few RestrictionsIsland County Code § 17.03.180.S.7.e
7.General exceptions to setback requirements:a.Setbacks in excess of those established by this chapter may be required in conformance with restrictive covenants. This determination shall be made by the property owner. Note: Island County does not enforce restrictive covenants. ... e.Fences, retaining walls and similar structures may be built on the property line.
Retaining Walls
In the Freeland non-municipal urban growth area of unincorporated Island County, a terraced yard's retaining wall may rise up to 36 inches under the block frontage design standards; taller walls trigger a mandatory engineering requirement under Island County Code section 17.06.430.F(3), and the Planning Director can only adjust the slope, not skip the engineering.
Retaining Wall Engineering Rule, Freeland UGA
Some RestrictionsIsland County Code § 17.06.430.F(3)
TABLE 17.06.430.F(3) - TERRACED YARD STANDARDS Terraced yards are raised lawns and/or gardens separated from the sidewalk by a retaining wall. ... • For sloping frontages, the Planning Director may allow flexibility with the height of the retaining wall. Retaining walls over 36" require engineering.
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