Seattle, WA Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited materials
- Barbed wire, electric fencing
- Where it applies
- Fence line abutting a public place
- Trigger
- Hazardous to a pedestrian
- Enforcing agency
- Seattle Dept. of Transportation (SDOT)
- Max civil penalty
- $500 per day, SMC 15.90.018
Summary
Seattle prohibits placing or keeping a barbed wire or electric fence along the margin of any public place, the line where private property meets a street, alley, or sidewalk, if it could hazard a pedestrian. SMC 15.48.020 targets the fence's location and danger to foot traffic, not barbed wire generally, and SDOT enforces it as a Title 15 street-use violation.
It is unlawful to place, or maintain, or allow to be placed, or maintained, any barbed wire or electric fence abutting upon the marginal line of any public place in a manner that may be hazardous to a pedestrian in the public place.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 44 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
' The prohibition is tied to two conditions read together: the fence must sit on the margin between the property and a public place (a street, alley, sidewalk, or similar right-of-way), and it must be maintained in a way that could injure someone using that public place, it is not a blanket citywide ban on barbed wire or electric fencing on interior lot lines away from the right-of-way. 040. 020 allows the Director to instead refer the violation for prosecution as a gross misdemeanor with absolute liability.
Violations & Fines
Placing or maintaining a barbed wire or electric fence along a property's margin with a Seattle street, alley, or sidewalk in a way that could injure a pedestrian violates SMC 15.48.020. SDOT can cite the property owner under Chapter 15.91, and Title 15's general civil penalty in SMC 15.90.018(A) allows a cumulative fine of up to $500 per day the hazard remains unaddressed, on top of the misdemeanor alternative in SMC 15.90.020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is barbed wire fencing illegal in Seattle?
Can I put an electric fence along my Seattle backyard property line?
Who enforces Seattle's barbed wire fence ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Seattle
Compare Seattle to another location·View the Washington fence regulations overview
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Material Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle material restrictions.