Spokane Valley, WA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard, sight-obstructing
- 36 in. maximum
- Front yard, non-sight-obstructing
- 48 in. maximum (e.g. chain link)
- Side/rear/flanking yard
- 8 ft. maximum
- Height measured from
- Base of the fence
- Must clear
- Clearview triangle under § 22.70.030
- Adopted
- Ord. 16-018 (2016), amended Ord. 20-003 (2020)
Summary
Spokane Valley caps residential front-yard fences at 36 inches if they block sight lines or 48 inches if they don't, such as chain link. SVMC § 22.70.020(A)-(B) allows up to eight feet on flanking, side, or rear yards behind the front setback, and fence height is always measured from the ground at the fence's base.
A. In residential zoning districts, the height of a fence within the front yard shall be: 1. Thirty-six inches or less for sight-obstructing fences; or 2. Forty-eight inches or less for non-sight-obstructing fences, such as chain link fences. B. In residential zoning districts, fences shall not exceed eight feet in height when located on a flanking, side, or rear yard behind the minimum required front yard setback line. Lots with double street frontage may have a fence on the property line not used as the main point of access (the apparent rear yard). D. The height of a fence shall be measured from the base of the fence. I. Fences and all sight obstructions including vegetation shall be located outside of the clearview triangle pursuant to SVMC § 22.70.030 and shall not block the view of fire protection equipment.
Full Breakdown
010 is to reduce visual, noise and lighting impacts between neighboring properties while protecting public health, safety and property values. Subsection (A) splits the front-yard limit by fence type: 36 inches or less for a sight-obstructing fence such as solid wood or vinyl privacy panels, and up to 48 inches for a non-sight-obstructing fence like open chain link. Subsection (B) allows fences up to eight feet on a flanking, side, or rear yard once the fence is behind the required front-yard setback line, and it specifically allows a fence on the property line of a double-frontage lot's apparent rear yard, the side not used as the main entrance.
Subsection (D) fixes the measuring point: height is always taken from the base of the fence, not from an adjoining retaining wall or grade change. 030 and cannot block visibility of fire protection equipment such as hydrants or fire department connections. 020(C) caps them at eight feet without a conditional use permit. These standards were adopted by Ord. 16-018 § 6 (Att. B) in 2016 and last amended by Ord. 20-003 § 3 in 2020.
Violations & Fines
An oversized or misplaced fence is enforced as a zoning code violation under Chapter 17.100 SVMC rather than through a separate fence penalty. Code enforcement issues a warning first, then a notice and order if the fence isn't brought into compliance or removed from the clearview triangle; civil penalties run $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second within three years, and $2,000 for further violations under SVMC § 17.100.250.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my front yard fence be in Spokane Valley?
Can I put up an 8-foot fence in my backyard?
Where does the City measure fence height from?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane Valley
How Spokane Valley compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Spokane Valley to another location·View the Washington fence regulations overview
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