In unincorporated Kootenai County, fences under eight feet tall are exempt from zoning setback requirements and do not trigger a zoning permit. A fence eight feet or taller is regulated as a structure and must meet setbacks and building-code review.
LUDC 8.4.1106(C) lists what the county setback requirements do not apply to, and item 1 is 'Fences which are less than eight feet (8') in height.' So a residential fence under eight feet in the unincorporated county needs no setback compliance and no county zoning permit. Once a fence reaches eight feet or more it is treated as a structure subject to the applicable zone's setbacks and to Title 7 building regulations. Retaining walls and structural elements have their own permit thresholds. Cities within the county (Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden) require their own fence permits, so confirm with your city if you are inside city limits.
Building or altering a structure contrary to the code is a misdemeanor (LUDC 8.8.603.A); the county may withhold permits and pursue civil penalties up to $1,000/day.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Kootenai County, ID
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See how Kootenai County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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