All districts
Residential fences follow Section 27.05.H, and the rule structure is unusual, so read it carefully:
- A fence used to enclose the lot, on the lot line, may be at most 4 feet tall (Section 27.05.H.1).
- A privacy or decorative fence may be 6 feet, but it may not stand in any required yard setback area (Section 27.05.H.2). Since required setbacks run along every lot line, a 6 foot privacy fence generally cannot run on the property line the way a 4 foot enclosure fence can. That reading has real consequences, so confirm your layout with the Building Department before buying materials.
- Lots over 2 acres with at least 200 feet of frontage that are not part of a recorded plat are excluded from these fence rules (Section 27.05.H.4).
- Corner clearance: within the sight triangle formed by 30 feet along each intersecting right-of-way, or 10 feet at a driveway, nothing may exceed 30 inches in height (Section 27.03.G; Section 27.05.H.3).
- Materials: chain link, wood, vinyl, or similar are permitted, with posts sunk at least 3 feet; walls need a concrete foundation 42 inches deep (Section 27.05.H.6, 7). Barbed wire, spikes, and other sharp intrusions are prohibited except atop public utility enclosures (Section 27.05.H.8).
- Fences enclosing parks and public areas may reach 10 feet (Section 27.05.H.5). Swimming pools must be enclosed by a fence at least 4 feet high with self-closing, latching gates (Section 6.02.N.6).
Section 27.05.H does not state a fence permit requirement; confirm current permit practice with the Building Department.