A building permit is not required for fences 6 feet or under in unincorporated Pierce County. Fences taller than 6 feet require a building permit and must meet setbacks. Retaining walls over 4 feet also need a permit under the county's adopted residential building code.
Pierce County adopts the International Residential Code in PCC Chapter 17C. PCC 17C.30.040 amends IRC Section R105.2 to exempt fences not over 6 feet high and retaining walls not over 4 feet high (measured bottom of footing to top, unless supporting a surcharge). Anything taller requires a building permit from Pierce County Planning & Public Works. Zoning rules in PCC 18A.15.040 still apply regardless of permit status. Cities within the county issue their own fence permits under their own codes.
Building a fence over 6 feet or a retaining wall over 4 feet without the required permit is a code violation and may require a permit after the fact, corrections, or removal. Fines escalate for uncorrected work.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Backyard residential composting is allowed and encouraged in Pierce County with no permit, but a compost pile that creates odor, attracts vermin, or otherwis...
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Pierce County has no ordinance specifically prohibiting or permitting synthetic/artificial turf on residential lots. Installation must still meet general zon...
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Pierce County encourages native and drought-tolerant plantings and requires native-vegetation retention on many development sites, but homeowners are free to...
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Rooftop rainwater collection is broadly allowed in Washington, and Pierce County has no ordinance prohibiting residential rain barrels or cisterns; larger sy...
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Pierce County government sets no county-wide residential watering schedule; outdoor watering rules are set by your water provider — mainly Tacoma Water and l...
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Every Pierce County landowner has an enforceable duty under RCW 17.10.140 to eradicate class A noxious weeds and control listed class B and C weeds. The Pier...
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