Lacey, WA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)

Lacey Municipal Code § 16.03.070 contains two material rules for fences in the City of Lacey. Subsection C, Prohibited Material, opens with a flat ban: electrified and other dangerous fences are prohibited, in every zone. It then bans barbed and razor wire in all zones, with one carve-out. In light industrial or light industrial/commercial zones, barbed and razor wire is allowed only on security fences, and it must be placed at a minimum height of six feet from the ground. Even there, no portion of any barbed or razor wire located on a security fence can extend into the right-of-way. A residential owner has no exception to rely on, because the carve-out names only the two light industrial zones.

Subsection B regulates chain link. All chain link fences must be set back at least three feet from the back of the sidewalk, and the stated reason is to leave room for landscaping elements that screen the fence. Temporary construction fences are exempt from that setback.

These material rules sit beside the height caps in subsection A of the same section: three feet in a residential front yard, seven feet in a side or rear yard, and eight feet for transparent decorative fences. Under § 16.03.030 the zoning title sets minimum requirements, and where it conflicts with another lawfully adopted rule the more restrictive or higher standard governs. Disability-related modifications go through the reasonable accommodation process in § 16.03.080.