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Fence Regulations in Yakima County, WA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Yakima County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Yakima County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Height Limits

In unincorporated Yakima County, fences are capped at four feet in the required front setback in every zoning district, with the allowed rear/side height varying by district: six feet in residential zones, eight feet in commercial and industrial zones. Vision clearance triangles cap fences at 2.5 feet.

Yakima County Fence and Wall Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Yakima County Code § 19.10.040(9)(a)(iii)

(iii) The maximum fence height shall be: (A) Four feet within the required front yard setback area, and six feet behind the required setback, for all uses in the RT district and urban residential zones (SR, R-1, R-2, and R-3) and for allowed residential uses listed in Chapter 19.11 in the RS district. On corner lots, no fence exceeding four feet shall extend closer to either street than the req...

Retaining Walls

Yakima County exempts retaining walls up to 4 feet tall, measured from the footing to the wall top, from building permits under the amended International Building Code, unless the wall holds back a surcharge or impounds hazardous liquids. Taller walls, or ones bearing extra load, need a building permit and engineered design reviewed by the Building and Fire Safety Division.

Yakima County Retaining Wall Permit Rules

Some Restrictions

Yakima County Code § 13.05.030 (IBC § 105.2, Item 4)

105.2 Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following: Building: ... 4. Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured f...

Fence Regulations by City in Yakima County

1 cities in Yakima County have their own fence regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

All Yakima County ordinances

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