Fencing in Seattle, WA
A 6-foot cedar fence in Seattle costs $50 to $80 per linear foot, and modern horizontal cedar $75 to $125. Seattle fences meet sidewalks, alleys and neighbors on lots that are often 40 or 50 feet wide, so height rules, property lines and access shape the project more than material.
Seattle fence costs
| Fence | Typical Seattle range per linear ft | Seattle notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar privacy, 6 ft | $50 – $80 | Most common rear and side fence |
| Horizontal cedar, 6 ft | $75 – $125 | Modern and mid-century houses |
| Front-yard picket or low fence | $40 – $75 | Craftsman streets |
| Fence on a retaining wall | $90 – $200+ | Steep lots; wall design drives cost |
| Alley gate, drive | $2,500 – $7,000 | Garages and parking pads off alleys |
Seattle height rules
Seattle's land use code generally allows fences up to about six feet tall in required yards, with limited extra height for decorative tops such as lattice or arbors, and tighter limits near driveways and corners where drivers need to see. Fences on top of retaining walls are measured in specific ways, which matters on sloped lots. Confirm the current rules for your zone before ordering materials.
Under the residential code, fences up to seven feet generally do not need a building permit, but zoning limits still apply, and retaining walls over a certain height need their own permit.
Seattle lots and edges
Alleys. Many Seattle lots back onto alleys. A rear fence with a gate to a parking pad or garage is common; keep gates swinging inward so they do not block the alley.
Planting strips and sidewalks. The strip between sidewalk and street belongs to the city's right-of-way. Fences generally go on private property behind the sidewalk.
Old plats. Property lines on older Seattle plats do not always match existing fences. A survey before building avoids building on a neighbor's land.
Trees. Large trees protected under the city's tree rules may limit post locations near their roots.
Seattle fence questions
Can I build a six-foot fence in my front yard?
Seattle's rules generally allow taller front fences than many suburbs do, but sight-line rules near driveways and corners can lower the limit. Check before building.
Who owns the fence on the property line?
If it sits on the line, both neighbors may share it by agreement. Get any agreement in writing.
Can I put a fence along the alley edge?
On your property, yes, without blocking the alley or utility access.
How do I handle a fence on a retaining wall?
Have the wall designed for the fence load and confirm how the city measures the combined height.