Tacoma, WA Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- General street-facing cap
- 3 feet
- UR district max with transparency
- 7 feet (50% transparent above 5 ft)
- Front-yard chain link
- prohibited (wetland uses excepted)
- Governing section
- TMC § 13.06.090K
Summary
Along a public street, Tacoma caps free-standing fences, walls and hedges at 3 feet under TMC § 13.06.090K; Urban Residential districts allow up to 7 feet if the upper portion is at least 50 percent transparent and backed by a planted buffer strip.
Unless otherwise allowed, the maximum height of free-standing walls, fences, or hedges between any public street and building shall be 3 feet. ... In Urban Residential (UR) Districts, the maximum height of free-standing walls, fences, or hedges between any public street and building are allowed up to 4 feet in height above sidewalk grade. ... Up to 7 feet in height provided the fence or wall is at least 50% transparent above 5 feet, and features a planting strip at least 2 feet wide planted with shrubs or groundcover.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4946110; v22 updated 2026-07-28).
Full Breakdown
The Site Development Standards' fencing section governs the space between a public street and a building, not interior side or rear lot lines. The baseline citywide cap is 3 feet. Urban Residential (UR) districts get a step-up: fences can reach 4 feet as of right, 5 feet with a 1-foot planting strip, or 7 feet if at least half the fence above 5 feet is transparent and fronted by a 2-foot planted buffer. R-4 and R-5 districts keep the 3-foot base but allow decorative 8-foot fences under similar transparency and landscaping conditions. The Director may attach conditions to any proposed fence to keep it compatible with the Comprehensive Plan.
Violations & Fines
An oversized or noncompliant fence violates TMC § 13.06.090K and Title 13's general enforcement provision, TMC § 13.05.150, which declares violations a public nuisance; Code Enforcement can require removal and impose penalties under TMC Chapter 1.82.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a fence be in front of my Tacoma house?
Are chain-link privacy fences allowed facing the street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
How Tacoma compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Tacoma to another location·View the Washington fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle height limits.