Before You Build in Auburn, WA: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

RCW 16.60 governs boundary fences and cost-sharing in Washington. ACC 18.31.020 controls height and placement. Spite fences allow civil remedy. A survey before building is strongly recommended.

Retaining walls over 4 feet from footing to top require a building permit and engineering in Auburn under IRC R105.2. Walls near Lea Hill and Lakeland steep slopes face critical area review.

Auburn requires a building permit for fences over 6 feet under IRC R105.2. Fences 6 feet or less need no permit but must meet ACC 18.31.020 zoning. Retaining walls over 4 feet need a permit.

Pools over 24 inches deep need a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates under the Washington State Building Code and IRC Appendix G as adopted in Auburn. Openings must not pass a 4-inch sphere.

Auburn caps fences at 42 inches in front setback areas under ACC 18.31.020. Interior fences may reach the zone maximum building height. A 6 percent measurement tolerance applies.

Auburn requires a building permit for in-ground and above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches under ACC Title 15 and the IRC. Plans must show barriers, electrical, and plumbing per code.

Auburn requires a barrier at least 48 inches high surrounding any pool deeper than 24 inches, per IRC Appendix G. Self-closing, self-latching gates and non-climbable design are mandatory.

Auburn requires electrical permits for hot tubs and spas, and barriers under IRC Appendix G unless equipped with an ASTM F1346 safety cover. Setbacks and GFCI protection apply.

Auburn pools must comply with federal VGB Act anti-entrapment drain covers, WAC 246-260 for commercial pools, and building code barriers. Private homeowners should also follow safety best practices.

Above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches require Auburn building permits and barrier compliance under IRC Appendix G. Removable or retractable ladders satisfy barrier rules for some designs.

Auburn permits ADUs and DADUs under ACC 18.31.120 per WA HB 1337. Up to two ADUs per lot, max 1,000 sq ft, no owner-occupancy rule. Unit lot subdivision for fee-simple sale is allowed.

Converting a garage to living space in Auburn requires a building permit under ACC 15.36. Independent units become ADUs. Replacement parking not required under WA HB 1337 near transit.

Auburn allows tiny homes on foundations as dwellings or ADUs if they meet WA Building Code IRC Appendix Q. Tiny homes on wheels are RVs and cannot be permanent dwellings except in approved RV parks.

Carports in Auburn follow ACC 15.36 and 18.31. Open carports under 200 sq ft may be permit-exempt but must meet setbacks. Attached carports always require a building permit regardless of size.

Auburn follows the 2021 IRC through ACC 15.36. Sheds 200 sq ft or less and 10 ft or less tall do not need a building permit but must meet ACC 18.31 setbacks: 5 ft rear-side, 10-15 ft front. Larger sheds require permits.

Auburn permits small recreational fires under ACC 15.36 (2021 IFC). Fires must be under 3 ft wide, 2 ft tall, with 25 ft clearance, clean firewood, and adult supervision. PSCAA burn bans override.

Outdoor burning is heavily restricted in Auburn. Yard waste and land-clearing burns are banned under PSCAA Regulation I. Only small recreational fires are allowed when no burn ban is active.

Auburn regulates tree pruning under ACC 18.76 Tree Preservation. Trimming of significant trees over 6 in DBH must follow ANSI A300; topping is discouraged. ROW branches under 14 ft must be trimmed.

Auburn Utilities uses voluntary lawn watering guidelines May-September with odd-even schedules and watering before 10 AM or after 6 PM. Mandatory drought restrictions activate under ACC 13.06.

Auburn requires a tree removal permit under ACC 18.76 for significant trees 6 in DBH or larger. Hazard trees have an expedited process. Unpermitted removal can trigger fines up to $5,000 per tree.