Fence Installation in Spokane, WA
Spokane requires a building permit for every fence, even a replacement, and a 6 foot fence starts 10 feet back from the front line.
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Fence rules in Spokane
| Permit | A building permit is required for any fence, whatever its height or material, and for replacing one. Repairs need no permit. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout (Rev. 2025-12-16), checked 2026-10-26) |
|---|---|
| Front yard height | The front setback is 10 feet behind the front property line, and a 6 foot fence can start where it ends. For a fence inside those 10 feet, ask the Development Services Center. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout (Rev. 2025-12-16), checked 2026-10-26) |
| Back yard height | 6 feet. Where your front property line meets a neighbor's rear line, 42 inches, or set on a diagonal of at least 7 feet. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout (Rev. 2025-12-16), checked 2026-10-26) |
| Corners and sight lines | Any fence in a clear view triangle at an intersection can be no more than 36 inches. Where two residential streets meet, the triangle has 50 foot sides along each curb. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout (Rev. 2025-12-16), checked 2026-10-26) |
| Pool barrier | A pool, hot tub or pond 18 inches or deeper must be fenced at least 4 feet high, with no opening over 4 inches except a gate. Gates must be self-closing and self-locking, with any outside latch at least 54 inches up. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout (Rev. 2025-12-16), checked 2026-10-26) |
| Before you dig | Notify the one-number locator service at least two full business days, and no more than 10, before the work starts. (Revised Code of Washington 19.122.030, checked 2026-10-26) |
| Who to ask | The Development Services Center is on the 3rd floor of City Hall, 808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard, at 509-625-6999 or permitteam@spokanecity.org. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout (Rev. 2025-12-16), checked 2026-10-26) |
| Also good to know | The edge of the sidewalk is usually still public right-of-way. A fence placed there needs a signed Fence Encroachment covenant with the permit application, and plantings in a clear view triangle must stay under 30 inches. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout (Rev. 2025-12-16), checked 2026-10-26) |
How tall a fence can be in Spokane
In Spokane's residential zones, a 6 foot fence can start where the front yard setback ends, which is 10 feet behind your front property line. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout, revised December 16, 2025, checked October 2026)
Where a Spokane front property line meets a neighbor's rear property line, a fence there is limited to 42 inches, or it has to be set on a diagonal measuring at least 7 feet. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout, revised December 16, 2025, checked October 2026)
Permits in Spokane
Spokane requires a building permit for every fence, whatever its height or material. Replacing a fence needs a permit too; repairing an existing one does not. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout, revised December 16, 2025, checked October 2026)
Where the fence can go
Any fence inside one of Spokane's clear view triangles, the areas at street intersections that have to stay open for people walking and driving, can be no more than 3 feet (36 inches) high. Where two residential streets meet, the triangle's sides run 50 feet along each curb line. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout, revised December 16, 2025, checked October 2026)
A Spokane fence can never be closer than 12 feet to the curb of an arterial street. On a residential street it can sit at the back edge of the sidewalk, or 7 feet back from the curb where there is no sidewalk. A fence in the public right-of-way needs an approved Fence Encroachment covenant, signed when you apply for the permit. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout, revised December 16, 2025, checked October 2026)
Spokane does not allow barbed, concertina or razor wire fences, except up to three strands of barbed wire for farm uses in the RA (Residential Agriculture) zone. Electric fences are allowed only in the RA zone, and only to hold livestock. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout, revised December 16, 2025, checked October 2026)
Pool fences in Spokane
In Spokane, a pool, hot tub or pond 18 inches or deeper must be fenced so children cannot get to it. The enclosure must be at least 4 feet high with no opening over 4 inches except a door or gate, and every door or gate needs self-closing and self-locking hardware. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout, revised December 16, 2025, checked October 2026)
Before you dig in Washington
Unless an exemption applies, Washington law requires anyone digging to mark the edges of the dig area with white lining or, when necessary, white pin flags, then notify all utility operators through a one-number locator service at least two full business days, and no more than 10 full business days, before work starts, unless the digger and the operators agree otherwise in writing. (Revised Code of Washington, Sec. 19.122.030, checked October 2026)
Checking a fence company in Spokane
Washington requires all construction contractors to register with L&I and to be bonded and insured. Once registered, a contractor can bid, advertise and do construction work. (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Register as a Contractor, checked October 2026)
Vinyl, chain link and cost in Spokane
Spokane's pool rule names woven wire: if a pool enclosure is a woven wire fence, it has to be built to discourage climbing. If you plan chain link around a pool, hot tub or pond, ask the city what it accepts as built to discourage climbing before you order. Every fence here needs a building permit, so add that to the $13.15 to $23.50 a foot Fixr gives for 4 foot galvanized chain link. (City of Spokane, Fences: Residential Zones handout (Rev. 2025-12-16), checked 2026-10-26) (Fixr chain link costs, checked 2026-10-26)
National figures, not a Spokane price survey. Price your own yard with the calculator, or see the vinyl, chain link and wood cost guides.
See how Spokane's rules compare with the other cities we cover in the fence height and permit table.
Comparing companies?
We ranked 10 Spokane fence companies on their Google ratings, years in business, insurance and emergency or storm repair work: best fence companies in Spokane.
Areas served
Spokane and nearby Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Cheney, Airway Heights, Mead, Medical Lake.