How tall can my fence be in Federal Way, WA?

Up to 6' in the rear yard, 6' in front of the building line.

How much does a Federal Way, WA fence permit cost?

We have Federal Way, WA's fence ordinance on file but not a permit fee, so we do not publish an amount for it. Ask the building department what a fence permit costs before you apply.

What does a fence plot plan need to show?

Your property outline, location of the proposed fence, total linear feet, height, material, distance from any street/sidewalk, and (in most cities) the location of your house. Fence Plotter generates this automatically from a satellite image and your fence drawing.

Can I draw my plot plan myself?

Yes — most building departments accept owner-drawn plot plans as long as they're clear, dimensioned, and to scale. Fence Plotter produces a permit-ready plot plan + elevation sketch in two minutes.

Federal Way, WA fence permit site plan

Plan your fence on a satellite map of your Federal Way, WA property and get a permit-ready PDF in 2 minutes. Free, no sign-up.

If Federal Way's form asks for a site plan and this page says plot plan, they are the same drawing for a fence application: a to-scale overhead view of your lot with the property lines, the existing structures and the proposed fence dimensioned on it. A surveyed site plan is the one genuinely different document, and only a licensed surveyor can seal one. What a fence permit site plan has to show.

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What you'll get for Federal Way, WA

✓ Satellite site plan — top-down map of your property with the fence drawn on it, every side dimensioned.
✓ Fence elevation — side view showing height, panel count, and gates.
✓ Real lot lines — pulled from county GIS so your fence sits on the actual property boundary.
○ Filled Federal Way, WA permit form — pending. Until then you get the universal plot plan + a checklist of what to handwrite on the city's form.
✓ Federal Way, WA ordinance check — height limits, setbacks, and neighbor-consent rules specific to Federal Way, WA.

Federal Way, WA fence rules

Max height (rear yard): 6'
Max height (front of building line): 6'

Fences and railings up to 6' may stand in any required yard. The code draws no front/side/rear distinction, so 6' applies in the front yard as well as the rear.
Fences not over 6' high are exempt from a building permit, though other code requirements still apply.
Nothing may stand in the intersection sight distance triangle between 2.5' and 10' above the pavement edge of each intersecting street or driveway.
Razor wire fences are prohibited citywide. Barbed wire is allowed only atop a fence or wall at least 6' high, or between two agricultural uses.
Where a rockery or retaining wall sits in a required yard within 5' of the fence, fence and wall together may be no more than 6' high. A wall over 2.5' that needs a guardrail or handrail may add a see-through safety feature up to 3.5', for a combined maximum of 9.5'.
The code sets no numeric fence setback from the right-of-way; 6' fences are allowed in required yards, subject to the sight distance triangle.

Do you need a permit? Usually no. Federal Way's residential permit exemptions, taken from IRC Section R105.2, list fences not over 6 feet high as work exempt from a building permit. The exemption does not reach any work in a critical area, including wetlands, streams, landslide hazard and their buffers. (source)

Source: https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/FederalWay/html/FederalWay19/FederalWay19125.html#19.125.160

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FAQ

Do I need a permit to build a fence in Federal Way, WA?: Usually no. Federal Way's residential permit exemptions, taken from IRC Section R105.2, list fences not over 6 feet high as work exempt from a building permit. The exemption does not reach any work in a critical area, including wetlands, streams, landslide hazard and their buffers.
How tall can my fence be in Federal Way, WA?: Up to 6' in the rear yard, 6' in front of the building line.
How much does a Federal Way, WA fence permit cost?: We have Federal Way, WA's fence ordinance on file but not a permit fee, so we do not publish an amount for it. Ask the building department what a fence permit costs before you apply.
What does a fence plot plan need to show?: Your property outline, location of the proposed fence, total linear feet, height, material, distance from any street/sidewalk, and (in most cities) the location of your house. Fence Plotter generates this automatically from a satellite image and your fence drawing.
Can I draw my plot plan myself?: Yes — most building departments accept owner-drawn plot plans as long as they're clear, dimensioned, and to scale. Fence Plotter produces a permit-ready plot plan + elevation sketch in two minutes.

Not sure what Federal Way means by “site plan”? See the nine things a plan reviewer checks — the same list whatever city you are applying in.

Do I need a survey?·Free template — which kind?·Do I need a permit?·Why permits get rejected

Fence Plotter is informational only. Always confirm specific requirements with the Federal Way, WA building department before submitting.

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Plan a fence in Federal Way →

Federal Way, WA fence permit site plan

What you'll get for Federal Way, WA

Federal Way, WA fence rules

FAQ

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