Renton, WA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)

D1, set the general residential-zone ceiling at 72 inches for any fence, hedge, or retaining wall, but subsection D2 layers on tighter limits within specific setbacks. Front yard setbacks cap height at 48 inches, and secondary front yard setbacks (the side yard on a corner lot facing a second street) carry the same 48-inch cap. Side yard setbacks allow the full 72 inches up to where they meet a front or secondary front setback. Rear yard setbacks allow 72 inches too, except where the rear yard abuts a public or private street, where the cap drops to 48 inches.

In every setback, no fence, hedge, or wall may exceed 42 inches anywhere within the 'clear vision area' defined in RMC 4-11-030, the sightline triangle at intersections and driveways, regardless of the general setback allowance. D2e carves out a limited exception letting fences reach up to 72 inches in secondary front or street-facing rear setbacks if built from wrought iron, cedar, or similar material (no chain link), set back at least eight feet from the property line, and fronted by dense, code-specified landscaping. Subsection B5 requires a building permit for any fence taller than 6 feet, and separately for any retaining wall four feet or taller measured from footing to top-of-wall grade. Fences that fall out of compliance must be brought into conformance within six months of a violation notice under subsection H.