Yakima, WA Fence Regulations: Fence Requirements (2026)

YMC 15.05.020(G) establishes the core requirements: '(a) Front yard. Fences and walls may be placed on or behind the property line, but no fence or wall shall exceed four feet in height within the required front yard setback area. In residential districts, six feet shall be the maximum height in the front yard behind the required setback. In commercial and industrial districts, eight feet shall be the maximum height in the front yard behind the required setback. (b) Side yard and street side yard. Fences and walls may be placed on or behind the property line. In residential districts, six feet shall be the maximum height; provided, that no six-foot street side yard fence shall extend past the front corner of the dwelling into the front yard or be located within the clear view triangle. In the commercial and industrial districts, eight feet shall be the maximum height. (c) Rear yard. In the residential districts six feet is the maximum fence or wall height in the rear yard; provided, that when the rear yard abuts a designated arterial, the maximum height shall be eight feet. Eight feet is the maximum rear yard fence height in the commercial and industrial districts.' The same section adds: 'No fence, hedge or wall, exceeding two and one-half feet in height, shall be placed in the clear view triangles established in YMC 15.05.040,' and 'No combination of a fence and retaining wall shall exceed a height of ten feet, measured from the lower elevation, except existing retaining walls at the time of the passage of this title will be allowed a three-and-one-half-foot fence above the retaining wall,' and 'All fences over six feet in height shall meet the provisions of the International Building Code.' The City of Yakima Planning FAQ confirms: 'Your fence must be on or behind your property line.'