Snohomish County, WA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

Fences in unincorporated Snohomish County are governed primarily by SCC 30.28.040 (Fences and freestanding walls) within Title 30, the county's Development Code adopted under RCW 36.70A. Fences six feet or less in height are allowed in any required front, side, or rear yard without a setback, except where a landscaped area is required - in which case the fence must be set back the width of that landscape strip. Building permits are not required for fences 6 feet or less in height under SCC 30.28.040; however, the Washington State Building Code (IRC R105.2) requires a building permit for any fence over 7 feet tall. Up to three strands of wire (typically barbed) are allowed on top of fences 6 feet or less. Fences may exceed the 6-foot height limit on the periphery of school playgrounds, public parks, public facilities, industrial and commercial uses, transmitter and transformer sites, and government installations where security is required, provided they are open wire mesh or similar. Where a fence is built on top of a retaining wall, the fence height is measured on the uphill side. Sight-distance restrictions apply at intersections and driveways under SCC 13.10 and the County Engineering Design and Development Standards (EDDS); fences in clear-vision triangles must not block driver visibility. Critical areas (wetlands, streams, geologic hazard areas) under SCC 30.62A may impose additional siting limits. Cities such as Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville, and Edmonds enforce their own municipal fence rules within incorporated limits.