Island County, WA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front-yard cap
- 4 ft. max. (§17.06.540.F.1.f)
- Corner triangle
- No fence permitted inside it
- Allowed materials
- Masonry, ornamental metal, or wood only
- Prohibited materials
- Chain link, plastic, wire fencing, eco-blocks
- Replacement trigger
- 50%+ replaced must meet current code
Summary
In Freeland's Non-Municipal Urban Growth Area, a wall or fence inside the required front yard setback cannot exceed four feet, and none may sit inside a corner visibility triangle at an intersection, under Island County Code Section 17.06.540.F.1. Approved materials are limited to masonry, ornamental metal, and wood; chain link, plastic, wire fencing, and eco-blocks are banned outright.
a.Walls and fences shall be made of masonry (brick or stone), ornamental metal, or wood, or some combination of the three (3). The use of chain link, plastic, wire fencing and/or eco-blocks is prohibited. ... e.No wall or fence shall be constructed within the corner visibility triangles for walls/fencing as shown in Figure 17.06.520.E.6.f.No wall or fence within the required front yard setback shall exceed four (4) feet in height, as shown in Figure 17.06.540.F.1.f.
Full Breakdown
a restricts walls and fences in Freeland to masonry (brick or stone), ornamental metal, or wood, or a combination of the three, and expressly bars chain link, plastic, wire fencing, and eco-blocks. 6, the same figure that caps vegetation and other obstructions in that triangle at 24 inches so drivers can see cross traffic. f. d). d requires the height to transition gradually over a distance of no less than 20 feet rather than stepping abruptly. e.
Violations & Fines
The Planning Director confirms fence height, siting, and materials during site plan or building permit review, and any wall or fence that violates the corner-visibility-triangle rule or the four-foot front-yard cap must be corrected before final inspection. Replacing 50 percent or more of an existing wall or fence triggers full compliance with the current standards of this section (17.06.540.F.2.b). General code-enforcement, complaint, and penalty procedures under Island County Code Titles 16 and 17 (17.06.030.A) apply to noncompliant fencing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my front-yard fence be in Freeland?
Can I put a fence at a Freeland street corner?
What fence materials are allowed in Freeland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Island County
How Island County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Island County to another location·View the Washington fence regulations overview
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