Fence Regulations in Whatcom County, WA (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Whatcom County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Fences in a front yard setback area in unincorporated Whatcom County are capped at 4 feet, or 6 feet outside an urban growth area, under WCC § 20.80.220. Rear and side yard fences may reach 7 feet. Corner-lot fences must also clear the vision triangle under WCC § 20.80.210(3).
Whatcom County Fence Height Limits
Some RestrictionsWhatcom County Code § 20.80.220
(1) Front Yards. (a) ...fences, walls, and vegetative hedges up to four feet in height may be placed in this front yard setback area subject to the limitations of WCC § 20.80.210(3) (Vision Clearance); ... (c) Outside of urban growth areas fences, walls, and vegetative hedges up to a maximum of six feet in height may be located within the front yard setback area subject to the limitations of WC...
Fence Permit Requirements
A fence anywhere in unincorporated Whatcom County can go up without a building permit as long as it stays at 7 feet or under, per WCC § 15.04.030(C)(2). Go taller than that and the fence needs a full building permit reviewed by Planning and Development Services.
Whatcom County Fence Permit Rules
Light RestrictionsWCC § 15.04.030(C)(2)
Section R105.2 (Work Exempt from Permit) is amended to read as follows: ... 2. Fences not over 7 feet (2,134 mm) high.
Retaining Walls
A retaining wall in unincorporated Whatcom County is permit-exempt only if it holds back 4 feet or less of unbalanced backfill, per WCC § 15.04.030(C)(3). Support a surcharge, sit on a steep slope, or hold back flammable liquids, and the exemption disappears no matter how short the wall is.
Whatcom County Retaining Wall Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsWCC § 15.04.030(C)(3)
3. Retaining walls that do not retain more than 4 feet (1,219 mm) of unbalanced back fill in height differential measured from the lower finished ground level and upper finished ground level, unless supporting a surcharge, or grades exceeding a 1:3 slope above or below the wall or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids.
Fence Regulations by City in Whatcom County
1 cities in Whatcom County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Whatcom County ordinances
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