Whatcom County, WA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard fence limit
- 4 feet (6 feet outside urban growth area)
- Rear yard fence limit
- 7 feet
- Side yard fence limit
- 7 feet
- Corner vision triangle limit
- 2.5 feet (WCC § 20.80.210(3))
- Governing section
- WCC § 20.80.220
- Civil penalty
- Up to $1,000 per day
Summary
Fences in a front yard setback area in unincorporated Whatcom County are capped at 4 feet, or 6 feet outside an urban growth area, under WCC § 20.80.220. Rear and side yard fences may reach 7 feet. Corner-lot fences must also clear the vision triangle under WCC § 20.80.210(3).
(1) Front Yards. (a) ...fences, walls, and vegetative hedges up to four feet in height may be placed in this front yard setback area subject to the limitations of WCC § 20.80.210(3) (Vision Clearance); ... (c) Outside of urban growth areas fences, walls, and vegetative hedges up to a maximum of six feet in height may be located within the front yard setback area subject to the limitations of WCC § 20.80.210(3) (Vision Clearance). (2) Rear Yards. ...fences and walls up to seven feet in height, and structures housing accessory uses in Urban Residential, Residential Rural, Rural and Agricultural Zone Districts may be placed in the rear yard... (3) Side yards must be kept open; provided, that ...fences, walls, and vegetative hedges up to seven feet in height may be placed in the side yard.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4963078; v4 updated 2026-06-23; through 06-23-2026).
Full Breakdown
220, "Use of setback areas," sets the fence height limits that apply within required yard setbacks. In a front yard, fences, walls, and vegetative hedges are limited to 4 feet, though outside an urban growth area that limit rises to 6 feet under subsection (1)(c). 5 feet, measured from the top of curb or street centerline grade, with an exception for trees limbed up to 10 feet. 220(2) allows fences and walls up to 7 feet, alongside patios, driveways, and recreation equipment, so long as a 10-foot open space is kept between any accessory structure and other buildings on the lot.
Side yards carry the same 7-foot fence and wall allowance under subsection (3), though the side yard itself must otherwise be kept open of structures. These setback-area use standards were most recently amended by Ord. 2026-001, effective January 13, 2026, along with earlier amendments in 1999, 2001, 2019, and 2023. The rules apply county-wide in the unincorporated area, including Birch Bay, Point Roberts, and the rural county, but not inside Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack, or Sumas, which set their own fence standards.
Violations & Fines
Violations of Title 20, including this fence-height standard, run through WCC Chapter 20.94. The county may issue a written notice of violation under § 20.94.020, and a notice of penalty under § 20.94.030 carries a civil fine of up to $1,000 for each day the violation continues, with each day treated as a separate offense. A property owner has 20 calendar days after receiving a notice of penalty to apply in writing for remission or mitigation under § 20.94.040, and a final county decision may be appealed to the hearing examiner within 10 calendar days under § 20.94.060.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a front yard fence be in unincorporated Whatcom County?
Can rear or side yard fences be taller than the front yard fence?
Does a fence near a street corner have a lower height limit?
What happens if a fence in Whatcom County violates the height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whatcom County
How Whatcom County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Whatcom County to another location·View the Washington fence regulations overview
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