19.66.030 Fences, walls, and hedges for residential zones

19.66.030 Fences, walls, and hedges for residential zones.

1. Table 19.66.030 provides height and transparency standards for fences, walls, and hedges for residential uses and zones. Figure 19.66.030(A) provides clarification on the location of fences, walls, and hedges associated with the standards in Table 19.66.030.

Table 19.66.030
Height standards for fences, walls, and hedges in residential zones by location.
Location		Maximum height	Maximum height for homes with accessory day care uses
Front	Within the street setback	42''	54'', and any portion above 42'' must be at least 50 percent transparent
Front	Elsewhere between the facade and street property line	7' See subsection (A)(2) of this section for exceptions for lots on the north side of Oakes Avenue between D Avenue and Ferry Terminal Road.	7'
Side	Corner lot—side fence, within 5' of any street property line	42''	54'', and any portion above 42'' must be at least 50 percent transparent
	Corner lot—side fence, more than 5' from any street property line	7'	7'
	Along/near any internal side property line	7'	7'
Rear	Along/near rear property line with or without an abutting alley	7'	7'
	Through lots—within 5' of a street property line	42''	54'' within 5' of the property line, and any portion above 42'' must be at least 50 percent transparent
	Through lots—5' or more from street property line	7' See subsection (A)(2) of this section for exceptions for lots on the north side of Oakes Avenue between D Avenue and Ferry Terminal Road.	7'

2. The following standards apply to all lots created after adoption of this section on the north side of Oakes Avenue between D Avenue and Ferry Terminal Road. Fences, walls, and hedges are limited in height to 42 inches for the entire street setback or rear setback for through lots where such lots abut Oakes Avenue. Exceptions may be made to the height and design of landscaping hedges through the subdivision approval process, provided the design allows for visual access to the water from Oakes Avenue. Notes must be placed on the final plat indicating the applicable fence standard and any applicable exceptions.

Figures 19.66.030(B) through (D) below provide acceptable and unacceptable examples of fences, walls, and hedges.

Figure 19.66.030(B)
Acceptable fences, walls, and hedges for the street setback for residential zones.
The left image uses a picket fence. The right image uses a low wrought iron fence.
The left image uses a low masonry retaining wall and the right image uses a low hedge.

Figure 19.66.030(C)
Unacceptable fences, walls, and hedges for the street setback for residential zones.
The fence and hedge are both taller than the maximum 42-inch height.

Figure 19.66.030(D)
Acceptable and unacceptable side fences on corner lots in residential zones or along through lots where the rear setback abuts a street.
The left example is a low picket fence. Taller fences like that in the middle image are acceptable along the side and rear setback, but are not allowed within five feet of a property line. The right image shows an acceptable example where the fence is set back from the sidewalk to allow space for landscaping.

B. Fences for Accessory Recreational Uses and Nonresidential Uses in a Residential Zone. Fences or walls used in conjunction with an accessory to a residential use must meet the following requirements:

1. Fences that are used to enclose recreational facilities accessory to multifamily uses may be up to 12 feet in height, provided they are not built within the minimum required setbacks.

2. The Director may allow taller fences (than referenced in Table 19.66.030) for permitted nonresidential uses in residential zones, provided they are necessary for security purposes and the design of the fences meets the purposes of the standards. (Ord. 3040 § 2 (Att. A), 2019)