Fence Installation Permits in Seattle

Local Rule

Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI)

Seattle does not require a construction permit for a fence up to 8 feet total height, as long as any masonry or concrete elements stay at 6 feet or under. Zoning in neighborhood residential and multifamily zones separately caps fence height at 6 feet, plus up to 2 feet of open architectural features like arbors or trellises, reaching the same 8-foot practical ceiling; front and street-side setbacks are limited to 4 feet regardless of permit status. On a sloping lot, a fence can reach 8 feet if the average height between posts stays at 6 feet. Any fence in a flood-prone area needs a permit no matter the height.

Source · Verified September 2026

Seattle Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to King County

Seattle's own rule is shown above (No permit under 8 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

City of Seattle / King County

In King County (Seattle) you can build a fence up to 8 feet without a permit as long as no masonry or concrete section exceeds 6 feet; taller fences, or any in a flood-prone or critical area, need a construction permit. Zoning limits front-yard fences to 4 feet and solid side/rear fences to 6 feet (open designs allowed up to 8). Unincorporated King County caps no-permit fences at 6 feet. Washington's Good Neighbor Fence Act covers shared costs.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Seattle with a confirmed fence installation rule:

FAQs

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

Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a fence installation project:

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.