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

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Setback-exempt height: 6 ft (most zones)
Extended exemption: 8 ft in 12 listed zones
Corner sight triangle: 20 ft legs, 2.5-10 ft vision zone
Governing chapter: SCC 14.28.040; SCC 14.28.110
Civil penalty: $100/day (SCC 14.09.330)

Summary

In unincorporated Skagit County, fences up to six feet tall are exempt from Title 14 building setbacks entirely, and the exemption stretches to eight feet in twelve listed zones. Taller fences must meet the zone's regular setback under SCC Chapter 14.28, and corner lots carry an added vision-clearance rule under SCC 14.28.110.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Skagit County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(1) The setback rules in this Chapter (SCC 14.28.030 through 14.28.080) do not apply to: (a) Fences six feet in height or less (except see SCC 14.14.200 for Guemes Island); (b) Fences eight feet or less in height in the RVC, RC, RFS, SSB, RB, NRI, RMI, BR-LI, BR-HI, URC-I, AVR, and AVR-L zones;

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Full Breakdown

Skagit County regulates fences through two chapters read together. 28. 040 lists the structures exempt from the chapter's setback rules, and a fence six feet in height or less is exempt outright, meaning it can be built to the property line without observing the zone's normal front, side, or rear setback. That exemption widens to eight feet in twelve zones: RVC, RC, RFS, SSB, RB, NRI, RMI, BR-LI, BR-HI, URC-I, AVR, and AVR-L. 030. 200, cross-referenced as an exception. 110 bars anything, including a fence, from materially impairing vision between two and a half feet and ten feet above the street centerline grade, inside a sight triangle formed by the road right-of-way lines and a diagonal line connecting points 20 feet from where the two rights-of-way meet. 020(1) makes that vision-clearance rule directly applicable to fences on corner lots.

Violations & Fines

Building setback and vision-clearance violations under Title 14 draw the standard SCC 14.09.330 civil penalty of $100 per day per violation, doubling for a repeat violation within a year, and the Director may order the fence removed or relocated as abatement under SCC 14.09.340 until it complies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build a 6-foot fence anywhere in unincorporated Skagit County without a setback?

Yes, in every zone. SCC 14.28.040(1)(a) exempts fences six feet in height or less from the setback rules in SCC Chapter 14.28 entirely, so a six-foot fence can sit on the property line; the only added limit is Guemes Island's separate front setback rule at SCC 14.14.200.

Which zones allow an 8-foot fence without a setback?

SCC 14.28.040(1)(b) lists twelve: RVC, RC, RFS, SSB, RB, NRI, RMI, BR-LI, BR-HI, URC-I, AVR, and AVR-L. Outside those zones, a fence over six feet must meet the normal zone setback under SCC 14.28.030 like any other structure.

What is the corner lot fence rule?

SCC 14.28.110 sets a sight triangle at every intersection, formed by the right-of-way lines and a diagonal connecting points 20 feet from the corner; nothing, including a fence, may block vision between two and a half feet and ten feet above the street grade inside that triangle, and SCC 14.22.020(1) applies the rule specifically to corner-lot fences.

Sources & Official References

[1]Skagit County Code, Title 14 (Code Publishing)

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All Skagit County rules

How Skagit County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Skagit County to another location·View the Washington fence regulations overview

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