Fence Installation Permits in Vancouver

Local Rule

City of Vancouver Community and Economic Development

Vancouver requires a building permit for all fences over 6 feet in height, and for walls 4 feet or over or that support additional weight from a building or parking area, per Municipal Code Section 20.912.030. A shed of 120 square feet or less, a deck 18 inches or less above grade, or a fence 6 feet or less does not need a permit outside an environmentally sensitive area; inside a critical area, even a fence at or under 6 feet may be subject to Critical Area Review. A retaining wall over 30 inches but under 4 feet in a critical area needs to follow VMC Title 20.740, and larger retaining walls or those supporting a surcharge always need a building permit. Fences, regardless of height, cannot block access to a City of Vancouver water meter under VMC 14.04.140.H.

Source · Verified September 2026

Vancouver Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Clark County

Vancouver's own rule is shown above (No permit under 6 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Clark County Community Development (unincorporated areas)

A fence 7 feet or less in height does not require a permit in unincorporated Clark County and can be built up to the property line. Fences taller than 7 feet require a Fence/Retaining Wall Permit and may need to be set back further from the property line. Inside the City of Vancouver, the county seat, the threshold drops to 6 feet, one foot stricter than the unincorporated county rule.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Vancouver with a confirmed fence installation rule:

FAQs

Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need

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