Lewis County, WA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Corner sight-triangle fence height
- 4 feet maximum
- Street/street corner triangle
- 25-foot vision clearance triangle
- Alley/street corner triangle
- 10-foot vision clearance triangle
- General fence height cap
- None set outside the sight triangle
- "Structure" threshold
- Fences 6 ft or less excluded from definition
Summary
Lewis County does not cap fence height generally in unincorporated residential zones, but Lewis County Code § 17.145.140 limits fences, walls and hedges to four feet (or a see-through material) inside the vision clearance triangles at street corners and alley entrances, so drivers and pedestrians can see approaching traffic.
§ 17.145.140. Clear view triangle. (1) Visibility at Intersections in Residential Zones. Fences, walls, or hedges may be installed except in the following instances in which they may only be four feet or of a substance which does not interfere with traffic visibility: (a) Within a 25-foot vision clearance triangle formed by the intersection of two street rights-of-way. (b) Within a 10-foot vision clearance triangle formed by the intersection of an alley and street right-of-way.
Full Breakdown
" The two triangles are a 25-foot vision clearance triangle measured from the intersection of two street rights-of-way, and a 10-foot vision clearance triangle measured from the intersection of an alley and a street right-of-way. 020), which does not mention fences at all. 190 reinforces that a fence six feet or less in height is not treated as a "structure" for zoning purposes, meaning the setback and lot-coverage rules that apply to buildings and other structures under Title 17 do not reach ordinary fences at or under six feet.
127), but neither of those provisions sets a general residential yard fence height cap. For corner-lot property owners, the practical rule is: build the fence to whatever height you want away from the corner, but keep it at four feet or use open-mesh, see-through material within 25 feet of a street/street corner or 10 feet of an alley/street corner.
Violations & Fines
A fence built taller than four feet inside a required vision clearance triangle is a zoning violation that Lewis County Community Development code enforcement (Chapter 1.20 LCC) can require the owner to cut down or remove, since the standard exists for traffic safety at the intersection rather than as a discretionary aesthetic rule. Complaints are typically driven by sight-distance concerns from the county engineer's office or Public Works when reviewing a road or driveway safety issue near the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my fence be near a street corner in unincorporated Lewis County?
Does Lewis County cap fence height in my front, side or rear yard generally?
Does a 6-foot fence need to meet the county's building setback rules?
Who enforces the corner fence height rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lewis County
How Lewis County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Lewis County to another location·View the Washington fence regulations overview
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