Lynnwood, WA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

050 addresses retaining structures that fall inside the public transition strip, the same right-of-way band that holds the sidewalk and planting strip. Whenever a portion of that transition strip is occupied by a rockery, the code requires the abutting property owner to maintain, repair, and reconstruct any rockeries and retaining walls located there that measure less than six feet in height, with height measured from the base of the wall and averaged from one property line to the other. Because this sits inside the same chapter that governs sidewalk and planting-strip upkeep, the six-foot threshold and ownership assignment apply specifically to retaining structures the city or a prior owner built or allowed within the transition strip, not to a wall built entirely on private property behind the right-of-way line, which falls instead under Lynnwood's building and grading permit requirements in Title 16 and Title 8 rather than this maintenance chapter.

12: public works mails written notice to whoever pays the property taxes on the abutting parcel, describing the deficiency and setting a correction deadline, and if the owner does not act, the director can have the work done and lien the property for the full cost, or seek a superior court order and cost judgment. 12 maintenance failure: a declared public nuisance carrying escalating exposure the longer it goes unaddressed.