Fence Regulations in Spokane County, WA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Spokane County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Spokane County requires fences to comply with the clear view triangle so intersections stay visible. No sight obstruction, including fencing, is permitted within a clear view triangle established by the county Division of Engineering.
Fence Requirements and the Clear View Triangle
Some RestrictionsSCC 14.812.200
Sight obstructions, including fencing or structures, shall not be permitted within a 'Clear View Triangle', as determined by the Spokane County Division of Engineering. Local access streets: The clear view triangle is determined by measuring 115 feet from the center of 2 intersecting local access streets along the centerlines of each local access street.
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 two ways: any wall inside county road right-of-way must be engineered to AASHTO bridge standards under Section 9.75.510, while a wall on private property needs a grading or building permit whenever it creates an unsupported excavation over five feet high under Section 3.10.020.
Retaining Wall Standards in Spokane County
Some RestrictionsSCC 3.10.020(d)(2); SCC 9.75.510
SCC 3.10.020(d)(2): 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 str...
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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