Bothell, WA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

BMC 12.14.150 allows fences and freestanding walls in any zone district in the City of Bothell, and the rules split at six feet of nominal height.

A fence or wall of six feet or less goes behind any landscape buffer required by Chapter 12.18 BMC. Where no buffer is required, it is allowed without a setback in any front, rear, or side yard. A fence or wall that exceeds a nominal six feet must instead meet the required front, side, and rear yard setbacks of its zone, so the taller structure gives up the build-to-the-line allowance.

Height is measured from the horizontal projection of the predominant ground level. The city uses the city-approved finish grade where one has been established, and the predominant existing grade in the vicinity of the fence where it has not. The measurement runs to the upper surface of the fence or freestanding wall panel. Where the International Residential Code or the International Building Code requires a guard on top of a retaining wall or retaining structure, any fence or wall in that location must meet the minimum guard height and construction requirements of the applicable code.

Two safety rules apply at every height. No fence or freestanding wall can be placed closer than three feet to a fire hydrant or obscure the vision of any fire hydrant. All fences and freestanding walls must also comply with the sight distance requirements of the Bothell Standards.

On the permit side, BMC 20.02.095(B)(1)(b) lists fences not over six feet high among the work that needs no building permit. That exemption does not authorize work that violates any other provision of the code, so the zoning standards in BMC 12.14.150 still control placement.