Snohomish County, WA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Fence 6 ft or less setback
- Landscape width or none
- Fence over 6 ft (site-obscuring)
- Meet building setback
- Security/school exception
- Open wire mesh may exceed limits
- Corner lots
- Must meet SCC 30.23.100
- Code section
- SCC 30.28.040
Summary
Snohomish County requires fences six feet or less to sit within any required landscaped-area width, or without a setback where none is required; taller site-obscuring fences must meet the building setback. All corner-lot fences must keep the 15-foot sight-clearance triangle clear above 42 inches.
Site-obscuring fences and freestanding walls in excess of six feet shall meet the required building setback or the width of any required or approved landscaped area if less than the required building setback.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through legislation passed August 12, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under SCC 30.28.040, fences and freestanding walls six feet or less shall be set back the width of any required landscaped area, or where none is required may sit in any front, side, or rear yard without a setback. Site-obscuring fences over six feet must meet the required building setback or the width of any required or approved landscaped area. An open wire-mesh or similar fence may exceed the height limits on the periphery of school and park playgrounds, public facilities, industrial and commercial uses, and government installations where security is required. All corner-lot fences must satisfy the vision-clearance rule of SCC 30.23.100.
Violations & Fines
Fences that violate setback, sight-triangle, or height standards are subject to PDS code enforcement, which can require correction or removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a taller fence be built around a school or business?
Do fences over six feet need a setback?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Snohomish County
How Snohomish County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Snohomish County to another location·View the Washington fence regulations overview
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