Everett, WA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front setback height
- 42 in. within 20 ft.
- Street-side height
- 6 ft.
- Interior/rear height
- 7 ft.
- Corner sight triangle
- 36 in. max, 15-ft. legs
- Freeway-abutting fences
- no height limit
Summary
Everett caps residential fences at 42 inches within 20 feet of the front lot line, 6 feet in street-side setbacks, and 7 feet in interior side or rear setbacks, with taller transparent fences allowed near the front.
A. Residential Zones—Fence Height and Setbacks. Fences shall not exceed a height of: 1. Forty-two inches within twenty feet of the right-of-way abutting the front lot line. 2. Six feet within the street side setback or the abutting right-of-way. 3. Seven feet within the interior side or rear setbacks.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4194-26, passed July 29, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Everett Municipal Code § 19.40.010 sets tiered residential fence heights: 42 inches within 20 feet of the front lot line, 6 feet in the street-side setback, and 7 feet in interior side or rear setbacks. A fence up to 6 feet is allowed in the front-lot-line zone if it sits at least 10 feet from the sidewalk and is at least 70 percent transparent above 3 feet. Corner and double-fronting lots may swap which side counts as 'front.' Fences abutting I-5 or SR-526 have no height limit. Separately, EMC 19.41.060(B)(3) requires a clear sight triangle at corner intersections, barring anything over 36 inches within 15 feet of the corner along the right-of-way.
Violations & Fines
Enforced under Chapter 1.20 EMC's code-compliance procedures; oversized or nonconforming fences can be ordered corrected, repaired, or removed by the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a taller fence near my Everett front yard?
What's the height limit for side and rear fences in Everett?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Everett
How Everett compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Everett to another location·View the Washington fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Snohomish County handle height limits.