Title 17C Land Use Standards
Chapter 17C.110 Residential Zones
The fence standards promote the positive benefits of fences without negatively affecting the community or endangering public or vehicle safety. Fences can create a sense of privacy, protect children and pets, provide separation from busy streets, and enhance the appearance of property by providing attractive landscape materials. The negative effects of fences can include the creation of street walls that inhibit police and community surveillance, decrease the sense of community, hinder emergency access and the safe movement of pedestrians and vehicles, and create an unattractive appearance.
The standards apply to walls, fences, trellises, arbors, and screens of all types whether open, solid, wood, metal, wire, masonry, or other material.
Fences up to forty-two inches high are allowed in required front lot line setbacks.
Fences up to six feet high are allowed in required sides or rear lot line setbacks. Except in an instance where a rear lot line joins the front lot line of another lot, the fence must be either:
The height for fences that are not in required building setbacks is the same as the height limits of the zone for detached accessory structures in Table 17C.110-3.
Fences shall not obstruct the clear width required in SMC 17H.010.130(G).
Building permits are required by the building services department for all fences including the replacement of existing fences. A permit is not required to repair an existing fence.
No fence may be closer than twelve feet to the curb of an arterial street.
No fence may be closer than the back of the sidewalk on a local access street. If there is no sidewalk, the fence shall be setback seven feet behind the face of the curb of a local access street.
A fence, wall, hedge, or other improvement may not be erected or maintained at the corner of a lot so as to obstruct the view of travelers upon the streets.
Date Passed: Monday, May 11, 2020
Effective Date: Sunday, June 14, 2020
ORD C35899 Section 4