Bellevue Land Use Code LUC 20.20.075 limits residential fences to 6 feet in rear and side yards and 42 inches in front yards; fences over 6 feet need a building permit.
Under Bellevue Land Use Code Section 20.20.075, residential fences cannot exceed 6 feet in rear and interior side yard setbacks or 42 inches (3.5 feet) in front yard setbacks measured from finished grade. Fences over 6 feet tall require a building permit from Bellevue Development Services and must meet structural engineering standards. Corner lots have vision clearance triangles where fences over 30 inches are prohibited within 15 feet of the intersection to preserve driver sightlines. Properties abutting arterial streets may qualify for taller sound-attenuation fences up to 8 feet with administrative approval. Barbed wire and electrified fencing are prohibited in residential zones. Fences within critical areas such as wetlands or steep slope buffers require additional review under the Bellevue Critical Areas Ordinance (LUC 20.25H). Finished sides should face neighboring properties by custom though not strictly required by code.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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