Auburn, WA Fence Regulations: Fence Requirements (2026)

Auburn City Code 18.31.020 sets fence construction standards beyond just height. Fences must be structurally sound, maintained in good repair, and may not lean, sag, or create a safety hazard. The finished (smooth) side of a fence must face outward toward the neighboring property or right-of-way as a matter of practice and most HOA covenants, though the zoning code itself is silent on finished-side orientation. Fences must sit entirely within the owner's property; building on a property line requires written agreement with the neighbor and often a boundary survey. Sight triangles at driveways and street intersections are regulated separately and cap height at 42 inches within the triangle. In shoreline zones along the Green River, critical areas under ACC 16.10, and floodplain zones in the Green River Valley, additional permits and buffers apply. Corner lot fencing near Emerald Downs and along the Auburn Avenue N right-of-way faces city engineering review. Fences on or over the public sidewalk or utility easement require a Right-of-Way permit. Building permits remain separate for fences over 6 feet.