Fence Permit requirements across Washington
By Mario Bailey Last verified 2026-06-17
Requirements and size thresholds for fence permits vary by locality. The table below compares what each Washington county or city requires. Always confirm with the local office before starting.
| Locality | Permit required? | Typical threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | Conditional | fences over 8 feet in height require a building permit; fences 8 feet or under do not require a permit |
| King County | Conditional | fences 6 feet or less do not require a building permit in unincorporated King County; fences over 6 feet require a permit |
| Seattle | Conditional | fences under 8 feet with no masonry or concrete elements exceeding 6 feet do not require a permit |
| Tacoma | Conditional | fences 7 feet or under in height do not require a building permit; fences over 7 feet require a permit |