Fence Regulations in Snohomish County, WA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Snohomish County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Snohomish County requires fences six feet or less to sit within any required landscaped-area width, or without a setback where none is required; taller site-obscuring fences must meet the building setback. All corner-lot fences must keep the 15-foot sight-clearance triangle clear above 42 inches.
Fence placement, setback, and sight-clearance requirements
Some RestrictionsSCC 30.28.040(6)
Site-obscuring fences and freestanding walls in excess of six feet shall meet the required building setback or the width of any required or approved landscaped area if less than the required building setback.
Fence Permit Requirements
Unincorporated Snohomish County exempts fences up to eight feet high from a building permit, as long as they have no masonry or concrete above six feet. Taller fences, or those with masonry above six feet, require a permit from Planning and Development Services.
When a fence needs a permit in Snohomish County
Some RestrictionsSCC 30.50.103(1)(b)
Fences not over eight feet (2,438 mm) high that do not have masonry or concrete elements above six feet (1,829 mm). This calculation shall not include wire strands on top of eight foot fences when permitted under this title. The fence shall be set back in accordance with this title. (c) Retaining walls that are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Snohomish County Code does not assign shared-fence cost or ownership between neighbors, but it does limit what can sit near a property line: fences over six feet must meet the building setback, and corner-lot fences must stay under 42 inches inside the sight-clearance triangle.
Fences on shared property lines and corner lots
Some RestrictionsSCC 30.23.100
For safety purposes, all owners of corner lots shall maintain a sight clearance triangle in accordance with SCC Figure 30.23.100(1). The sight clearance triangle is formed by measuring 15 feet along the two front lot lines from their point of intersection (point A) and connecting the two endpoints (line B - C). Within the area comprising the triangle, no tree, fence, shrub, sign, or other physi...
Retaining Walls
In unincorporated Snohomish County, a retaining wall up to four feet high (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) is exempt from a building permit unless it supports a surcharge. Walls over four feet, or supporting extra load, need a permit.
Retaining wall rules and permit thresholds
Some RestrictionsSCC 30.50.103(1)(c)
Retaining walls that are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III A liquids. (d) Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18,927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two to one. (e) Side...
Material Restrictions
Snohomish County allows up to three strands of wire on top of fences six feet or less high. Fences taller than eight feet, or those with masonry or concrete elements above six feet, lose the building-permit exemption and require a permit.
Barbed wire, masonry, and material limits on fences
Some RestrictionsSCC 30.28.040(3)
Up to three strands of wire are allowed on top of fences six feet or less in height. (4) Fences and freestanding walls six feet or less in height shall be set back the width of any required landscaped area, or where no landscaped area is required, may be allowed without a setback in any required front, side, or rear yard. (5) An open wire mesh or similar type fence may be erected in excess of...
Fence Regulations by City in Snohomish County
4 cities in Snohomish County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
4 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
4 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
3 verified rules • Height Limits, Fence Permit Requirements
4 verified rules • Height Limits, Material Restrictions
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