Fence Regulations in Spokane County, WA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Spokane County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Spokane County caps residential fences at six feet and nonresidential fences at eight feet. In the front or flanking street yard of a residential lot the cap drops to three feet for a sight-obscuring fence and four feet for a non-sight-obscuring fence. No fence or structure can stand inside the clear view triangle, which for local streets runs one hundred fifteen feet along each centerline.
Spokane County Fence Height Limits and Clear View Triangle
Some RestrictionsSCC 14.812.100(1) and 14.812.200
Fence height shall comply with the following standards. a. Residential fences are allowed up to six feet in height. b. Nonresidential fences are allowed up to eight feet in height. c. Fences within a front or flanking street yard of a residential lot are limited as follows. i. The maximum height for a sight-obscuring fence shall be three feet. ii. The maximum height for a non-sight-obscuring fe...
Fence Permit Requirements
In unincorporated Spokane County, fences over 7 feet in height require a building permit. Fences at or under 7 feet do not need a building permit, but must still meet the zoning height limits in SCC 14.812.100.
Do You Need a Fence Permit in Spokane County?
Some RestrictionsSpokane County Building & Planning fence permit FAQ
Fences over 7 feet in height require building permits. The height of fences that obstruct sight is limited to 36 inches within residential front and flanking street yards. Cyclone and other fences that do not obstruct sight may be 48 inches in these areas.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Spokane County's general yard-setback rule keeps buildings out of required front, side and rear yards, but SCC 14.810.200(3) carves out a specific exception for smaller structures. Any structure under 120 square feet, which covers virtually every residential fence, can be built directly on a side or rear lot line shared with a neighbor without seeking a setback variance from the hearing body.
Fences Directly on the Property Line in Spokane County
Light RestrictionsSCC 14.810.200(3)
Buildings may not be constructed in any required yard, except as follows. 1.Eaves, cornices, chimneys, fireplaces and similar ornamentations may project over a required yard not more than two feet.2.Platforms, terraces, and steps may not extend more than two feet into a required side yard.3.Structures less than one hundred twenty square feet may be located on a side or rear lot line.4.If a resi...
Retaining Walls
Spokane County regulates retaining walls through two sections. SCC 3.10.020(d)(2) exempts the excavation for a wall authorized by a valid building permit from the grading permit requirement, but not any excavation left with an unsupported height greater than five feet. SCC 9.75.510 requires walls in county right-of-way, or maintained by the county, to follow AASHTO design, with plans and structural computations approved before construction begins.
Spokane County Retaining Wall Rules
Some RestrictionsSCC 3.10.020(d)(2), (h); SCC 9.75.510
An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, retaining wall or other structure authorized by a valid building permit. This shall not exempt any fill made with the material from such excavation or exempt any excavation having an unsupported height greater than five feet (one thousand five hundred twenty-four mm) after the completion of such structure. ... Separate...
Material Restrictions
Spokane County's zoning code does not mandate a specific fence material for standard residential fences, but it distinguishes sight-obscuring from non-sight-obscuring fences and allows hedges or shrubbery in lieu of a fence. Electric and barbed wire fencing are separately restricted.
Allowed Fence Materials in Spokane County
Some RestrictionsSCC 14.812.100(1)(d)
Hedges, shrubbery, or other materials serving the same function as a fence may be used in lieu of a fence, provided they are not a part of the required landscaping.
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