Sammamish, WA Fence Regulations: Fence Requirements (2026)

The City of Sammamish's Residential Fences handout (No. 220), citing SMC 21.06.010.E, defines a fence as a barrier that encloses space or separates lots and can be made from a variety of materials including stone, brick, concrete blocks, wood, metal, mesh, rails, or other composites. Importantly, shrubs, hedges, and similar vegetation are not considered fencing under the code, so a tall hedge is not regulated as a fence. Beyond the material definition, the core requirements are dimensional and locational: fences must stay within the 4-foot front, 6-foot side and rear, and 3.5-foot sight-triangle height limits, and the 15-foot by 15-foot sight-distance triangle at corners and driveways must be kept clear for visibility. Fences inside shoreline jurisdiction are subject to additional limits under SMC Title 25, and fences in critical-area buffers may be restricted or prohibited. Fences over 6 feet require a Type I Construction Permit and a recorded neighbor agreement. Because Sammamish is an incorporated city, these are the City's own development-code requirements rather than King County standards. Owners should verify lot lines and yard designations before building, as a fence placed over the property line becomes a private encroachment issue.