Fence Regulations in Snohomish County, WA (2026)

Height Limits

Snohomish County Code 30.28.040 allows fences and freestanding walls up to 6 feet in height in any required front, side, or rear yard without a setback (unless a landscaped area is required). Building permits are not required for fences 6 feet or less; fences over 7 feet require a building permit per the Washington State Building Code. Up to three strands of barbed wire are allowed atop fences 6 feet or less. Where a fence sits on a retaining wall, height is measured from the uphill side. Cities within Snohomish County (Everett, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Marysville) have separate fence rules.