Fence laws in Washington
What Washington statutes and statewide codes say about fences, one topic at a time, with the section number and a link to the document behind every line.
Washington fence laws at a glance
| Topic | What the record says | Figure | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fences on the property line | Stated | no figure | RCW 16.60.030 |
| Fence height | Silent | no figure | RCW 16.60 |
| Permits | Stated | no figure | WAC 51-51-003 |
| Pool barriers | Stated | no figure | WAC 51-51-0327 |
| Spite fences | Stated | no figure | RCW 7.40.030 |
| How height is measured | Not researched yet | no figure | none |
| Corner visibility | Not researched yet | no figure | none |
| Retaining walls | Not researched yet | no figure | none |
| Materials | Not researched yet | no figure | none |
| Agricultural fencing | Not researched yet | no figure | none |
Fence laws in Washington, question by question
Who owns the fence between two properties in Washington?
StatedThe code gives a plain answer, and the line it appears on is quoted.
Washington splits a partition fence in half. Where neighbors share one fence around their land and one of them needs a dividing fence, the other builds half of it after being notified. The fence goes on the property line, or as near to it as is practical.
When two or more persons own land adjoining which is inclosed by one fence, and it becomes necessary for the protection of the interest of one party said partition fence should be made between them, the other or others, when notified thereof, shall erect or cause to be erected one-half of such partition fence, said fence to be erected on, or as near as practicable, the line of said land.
How tall can a fence be in Washington?
SilentThe documents were read and none of them cover it. The list of what was read is printed with the finding.
Washington sets no statewide limit on residential fence height. The state fence chapter describes what counts as a lawful fence for livestock and how partition fence cost is split, with no height cap for a home fence. The residential building code adopts the IRC and adds no fence height rule. Height comes from city and county zoning.
Documents read before writing that:
- RCW 16.60Washington State Legislature
- WAC 51-51-003Washington State Building Code Council
Do I need a permit for a fence in Washington?
StatedThe code gives a plain answer, and the line it appears on is quoted.
Washington adopts the 2021 International Residential Code as its statewide code for one- and two-family homes. The state did not amend the permit exemption section of that code, so the model IRC list of work exempt from a permit applies unchanged. That list is ICC text and is not reproduced on a Washington state site, so no fence height figure is quoted here.
The 2021 edition of the International Residential Code as published by the International Code Council is hereby adopted by reference
Pool fence requirements in Washington
StatedThe code gives a plain answer, and the line it appears on is quoted.
Washington sends residential pools to the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2021 edition, through its residential building code. The rule reaches a pool for the sole use of residents and invited guests at a single-family dwelling. Washington states no barrier height of its own, so the numbers sit in that ICC code.
The design and construction of swimming pools, spas, and other aquatic recreation facilities shall comply with the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, if the facility is one of the following:
Spite fence laws in Washington
StatedThe code gives a plain answer, and the line it appears on is quoted.
Washington lets a court stop a structure built out of spite. A judge may issue an injunction against the malicious erection of any structure meant to spite, injure or annoy a neighbor. Where such a structure already stands, the court may order it taken down. The statute turns on intent rather than on a height number.
An injunction may be granted to restrain the malicious erection, by any owner or lessee of land, of any structure intended to spite, injure or annoy an adjoining proprietor.
How fence height is measured in Washington
Not researched yet for Washington. Nothing on this page states what the rule is, because nothing has been read that says.
Fence rules for corner lots in Washington
Not researched yet for Washington. Nothing on this page states what the rule is, because nothing has been read that says.
Retaining wall rules in Washington
Not researched yet for Washington. Nothing on this page states what the rule is, because nothing has been read that says.
Fence materials allowed in Washington
Not researched yet for Washington. Nothing on this page states what the rule is, because nothing has been read that says.
Livestock and boundary fence law in Washington
Not researched yet for Washington. Nothing on this page states what the rule is, because nothing has been read that says.
Documents behind this page
5 documents, each read on the date shown. Nothing on this page rests on a summary of one.
- Washington State LegislatureRevised Code of Washington, Chapter 16.60, Section 16.60.030, Partition fence, Erection, Notice
- Washington State LegislatureRevised Code of Washington, Chapter 16.60, Fences, full chapter
- Washington State Building Code CouncilWashington Administrative Code, WAC 51-51-003, International Residential Code
- Washington State Building Code CouncilWashington Administrative Code, WAC 51-51-0327, Section R327, Swimming pools, spas and hot tubs
- Washington State LegislatureRevised Code of Washington, Chapter 7.40, Section 7.40.030, Malicious erection of structure may be enjoined
What this page does not cover
Everything above is state law. Fence height, setback, corner visibility and materials are set by city and county ordinance in almost every state, and a local rule can be far stricter than the statewide default. A parcel can also carry an easement, an overlay district, a fire hazard zone or a recorded HOA restriction, none of which appear in a statute.
This is general information drawn from published government documents. It is not legal advice, statutes are amended, and the date beside each finding is the date the document was read. How findings are made · What the terms mean