Fence Permit in Clark County, Washington
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Fences taller than 7 feet
Issued byClark County Community Development, Building Safety
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Fences seven feet or less in height do not require a permit in unincorporated Clark County and can be built up to your side of the property line, with footings facing inward. Taller fences require a Fence/Retaining Wall (FRT) permit and may need to be built further inside the property line. Retaining walls over four feet or supporting a load also require a permit with engineering.
Typical threshold: Fences seven feet or less in height do not require a permit; fences over 7 feet in height require a Fence/Retaining Wall (FRT) permit.
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When a permit is usually needed
Fences taller than 7 feet
What a fence permit costs in Clark County
How Clark County compares in Washington
Across the Washington jurisdictions we have verified, the same threshold runs from 6 to 8, so a project that is exempt here may still need a permit one county over.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | It depends | fences over 8 feet in height require a building permit; fences 8 feet or under do not require a permit |
| Clark Countythis page | It depends | Fences seven feet or less in height do not require a permit; fences over 7 feet in height require a Fence/Retaining Wall (FRT) permit. |
| King County | It depends | fences 6 feet or less do not require a building permit in unincorporated King County; fences over 6 feet require a permit |
| Pierce County | It depends | Fences 6 feet or less in height, measured from grade, are exempt; taller fences require a building permit. |
| Seattle | It depends | fences under 8 feet with no masonry or concrete elements exceeding 6 feet do not require a permit |
| Snohomish County | It depends | fences 8 feet or less in height exempt, provided they have no masonry or concrete elements above 6 feet (wire strands atop an 8-foot fence are excluded from the height measurement); taller fences, or fences with masonry/concrete above 6 feet, require a permit |
| Tacoma | It depends | fences 7 feet or under in height do not require a building permit; fences over 7 feet require a permit |
Closest fence permit thresholds outside Washington
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Clark County's 7 feet.
- Alameda County, California, Permit exemption height limit: 7 feet for fences of light materials, 5 feet 9 inches for fences of concrete, masonry, or similar heavy materials
- Riverside County, California, Fences 7 feet or less in height are exempt from a building permit, except block walls, which are exempt only up to 4 feet in height
- Clark County, Nevada, fences over 6 feet in height require a building permit; all fences require a Fence/Wall Permit (Form BPA-005) regardless of height
- Lake County, Florida, Masonry or concrete fences 4 feet or less in height, and fences of any other material 6 feet or less in height, are exempt from a building permit under the county's Chapter 6 building-code amendment
How to apply in Clark County
In Clark County, most residential fences fall under the model code's 7-foot building-permit exemption, so the real approval step is a lightweight zoning or land-use permit built around a simple site plan showing the fence's location, height, and material, checked against setbacks and any corner-lot sight-triangle rule. A fence that will serve as a required swimming-pool barrier is the exception, since barrier fences carry life-safety requirements of their own.
What most fence permit applications include:
- For Clark County, a fence 7 feet or under is exempt from the model code's building permit, the same threshold the IRC uses for other small projects (IRC 2021 R105.2).
- That exemption only removes the building-code permit. It does not authorize skipping a jurisdiction's own zoning approval, which is why an exempt fence can still need its own land-use or zoning permit rather than a building permit (IRC 2021 R105.2).
- Whatever your jurisdiction calls that approval, the application centers on a basic site plan: a drawing of the property showing the fence's location, height, and material, and how it relates to the property lines (common local zoning practice).
- For Clark County, the same plan is checked against required setbacks and, on corner lots or near intersections, a sight-triangle rule that caps fence height so it does not block sightlines for drivers (common local zoning practice).
- For Clark County, a fence that will serve as a required swimming-pool barrier is handled as life-safety work rather than the light zoning process, and at least one state's adopted residential code requires a building permit for barrier fences regardless of the general fence exemption (Oregon Residential Specialty Code 2021, R101.2.2).
General submittal guidance from International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 edition, Section R105.2. Source. Clark County Community Development, Building Safety sets the exact checklist for Clark County.
Where to apply in Clark County:
Clark County Community Development, Building Safety
- Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver, WA 98660
- Phone: 564.397.2375
- Email: permitservices@clark.wa.gov
Fence Permit in Clark County compared with nearby Washington localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Washington schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark County | It depends | Fences seven feet or less in height do not require a permit; fences over 7 feet in height require a Fence/Retaining Wall (FRT) permit. | Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the... | |
| Bellevue | It depends | fences over 8 feet in height require a building permit; fences 8 feet or under do not require a permit | No separate fence line item | |
| King County | It depends | fences 6 feet or less do not require a building permit in unincorporated King County; fences over 6 feet require a permit | Most permit fees increased approximately 14% on January 1 2026 plus a $126 application... | |
| Pierce County | It depends | Fences 6 feet or less in height, measured from grade, are exempt; taller fences require a building permit. | Building permit fee follows PCC Table 17C.10-1-B (valuation based): $69.00 for... | |
| Seattle | It depends | fences under 8 feet with no masonry or concrete elements exceeding 6 feet do not require a permit | Fences 8 feet or less with no masonry or concrete elements over 6 feet need no permit... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Clark County, inspection follows the permit: a fence that never needed one gets no inspection at all under the model code, and a permitted fence typically gets a single final check rather than the staged inspections used for a house. The exception is a fence serving as a swimming-pool barrier, which gets its own dedicated barrier inspection covering height, gaps, and gate hardware.
- In Clark County: inspection duty attaches only to work for which a permit is required, so a fence that qualified for the permit exemption carries no inspection obligation under the model code (IRC 2021 R109.1).
- In Clark County: where a fence permit was issued, the process skips the staged foundation, frame, and rough-in inspections used for buildings and goes straight to one final inspection once the fence is finished (IRC 2021 R109.1.6).
- In Clark County: that single check is typically a zoning compliance inspection rather than a structural review, confirming the fence matches the approved height and site plan (common local practice).
- A fence built as a swimming-pool barrier breaks that light-touch pattern in Clark County: it is separately inspected for barrier compliance, commonly required before the pool itself can be signed off (ISPSC 305; local pool-barrier inspection programs).
- In Clark County: that barrier inspection checks dimensional rules from the swimming pool and spa code rather than ordinary fence rules, including the minimum 48 inch barrier height and limits on openings and gaps a young child could pass through (ISPSC 305).
- Gate hardware is inspected too in Clark County: a self-closing, self-latching gate is part of the barrier requirement, since an unlatched gate defeats the fence's purpose as a barrier (ISPSC 305).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Clark County permit portal or by phone at 564.397.2375.
Inspection sequence from International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 edition, Section R109, and ISPSC 2021 Section 305 (barriers). Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Fence Permit checklist for Clark County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: Fences seven feet or less in height do not require a permit; fences over 7 feet in height require a Fence/Retaining Wall (FRT) permit. Usually needed: Fences taller than 7 feet.
- Budget the fee. Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the application process. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Clark County, most residential fences fall under the model code's 7-foot building-permit exemption, so the real approval step is a lightweight zoning or land-use permit built around a simple site plan showing the fence's location, height, and material, checked against setbacks and any corner-lot sight-triangle rule. A fence that will serve as a required swimming-pool barrier is the exception, since barrier fences carry life-safety requirements of their own. Start at the Clark County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Clark County Community Development, Building Safety. Phone: 564.397.2375. Address: Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver, WA 98660.
- Plan for inspections. In Clark County, inspection follows the permit: a fence that never needed one gets no inspection at all under the model code, and a permitted fence typically gets a single final check rather than the staged inspections used for a house. The exception is a fence serving as a swimming-pool barrier, which gets its own dedicated barrier inspection covering height, gaps, and gate hardware.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a fence permit in Clark County?
- Fences seven feet or less in height do not require a permit in unincorporated Clark County and can be built up to your side of the property line, with footings facing inward. Taller fences require a Fence/Retaining Wall (FRT) permit and may need to be built further inside the property line. Retaining walls over four feet or supporting a load also require a permit with engineering. Fences seven feet or less in height do not require a permit; fences over 7 feet in height require a Fence/Retaining Wall (FRT) permit. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a fence permit cost in Clark County?
- Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the application process. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a fence permit in Clark County?
- You can apply through the Clark County permit portal or contact the Clark County Community Development, Building Safety directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a fence permit themselves in Clark County?
- Under Washington law (RCW 18.27.090(11), (12); RCW 19.28.261(1); RCW 18.106.150(1)): Washington lets homeowners do their own construction work, including the licensed trades, on property they own. RCW 18.27.090(12) exempts any person working on his or her own property from contractor registration, but the exemption does not apply if you do contractor type work for the purpose of selling, demolishing, or leasing the property, and the separate owner exemption in RCW 18.27.090(11) is lost if you sell or lease improved property owned less than 12 months. For electrical work, RCW 19.28.261 lets you wire your own residence, farm, or place of business without an electrician license, unless the work is on construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease, or on property offered for sale within 12 months after you obtained it. RCW 18.106.150(1) gives the same kind of exemption for plumbing work at your own residence, farm, or place of business. These exemptions waive the license, not the permit: an owner doing electrical work still buys an L&I electrical work permit and passes inspection (WAC 296-46B-901), and building and plumbing permits still come from your local building department. Confirm how Clark County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Clark County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | Exempt only if the deck does not exceed 200 square feet, is not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, is not attached to a dwelling, does not serve a required exit door, and is not used for a hot tub or pool; all other decks require a permit. | Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Electrical work in Washington requires a permit and inspection, with a few exceptions listed in chapter 296-46B-901 WAC; in unincorporated Clark County electrical permits are issued by state Labor and Industries, not the county. | No county fee |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Mechanical permits cover installation of heating and cooling equipment such as furnaces, heat pumps, A/C units, ductless mini splits and gas piping; for additions and new construction this work is included in the ADS or NHC permit. | Application rev 1.30.23: $94 issuance plus per-appliance fees including furnace or heat... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Patio and concrete slabs on the ground grade are exempt from permit but may not be built on easements; adding a patio cover or enclosing a covered patio requires a building permit under the ADS permit type. | Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | A plumbing permit is required for installation of any plumbing fixtures, including water heaters, toilets and sinks. | Application rev 9.2.25: $94 issuance plus per-item fees including plumbing fixture/trap... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | A permit is required for any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 24 inches deep, including in-ground, aboveground and on-ground pools, hot tubs and spas. | Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Re-roofing permits are required for all buildings in Clark County; a separate permit may be required if structural work such as replacing roof sheathing is necessary. | County handout rev 7.16.18: residential re-roofing permit $220 plus $94 issuance and... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | Sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit; sheds of 200 square feet or less are exempt if they meet setbacks and easements, but any size shed in a mobile home park or multi-family zone requires a permit. | Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Separate SOL permits are required for ground mounted units or panels mounted on existing buildings; in new construction the solar panels are included in the NHC or ADS permit. | Fees for separate SOL permits are based on construction value |
Fence Permit in other Washington localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Clark County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this fence permit page for Clark County was verified. 2 official sources: clark.wa.gov, clark.wa.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Clark County Community Development, Building Safety. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Fence Permit requirements across Washington localities
Washington rule changes