Lacey, WA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Lacey amends the building code's permit-exemption list in Lacey Municipal Code § 14.04.015, and item 4 of Section 105.2 is the retaining wall entry. The 4-foot figure is measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, so the footing depth counts toward the height. The wall must also be set back from any adjacent property lines or structures a distance at least equal to the height of the wall, and the retained material must slope 1 vertical to 2 horizontal (or less) up and away from the wall. The exemption does not apply to a wall that supports a surcharge or impounds Class I, II or IIIA liquids.

The same amendment list handles fences separately. Item 2 exempts fences not over 7 feet high, except fencing regulated by Section 419, subsection 3, Fencing.

The city's amendment to Section 107.1 adds a design rule. Plans for building or structures of 4,000 square feet or over must be designed, prepared and stamped by an architect licensed by the state of Washington, and plans that are not designed to prescriptive structural methods require a design prepared and stamped by an engineer licensed by the State of Washington.

When a permit is needed, Section 105.3.1.1 lists what the building official checks before issuing it. The list includes Site Plan Review Committee approval of the site plan, approved landscaping plans, compliance with the flood management requirements of Chapter 14.34 and compliance with the geologically sensitive areas protection requirements of Chapter 14.37. Section 109.3 sets the value of commonly built structures from a valuation table adopted by the building official by policy. Section 104.1 authorizes the building official to enforce the code and to interpret it in the City of Lacey.