Fence permits in City of Lakewood: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a fence permit in City of Lakewood, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Lakewood Community Development..
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to City of Lakewood's source.
When does a fence need a permit in City of Lakewood?
Permit NOT required for: front yard fences ≤4ft (unless along a principal arterial); rear yard fences ≤6ft. Permit required if exceeding these heights, or if located near or within a critical area, critical-area buffer, or Ordinary High-Water Mark.
Required submittals
- site plan w/ heights and setbacks (if permit required)
Inspection sequence
- final (if permit required)
Contractor specialties needed
general
Who can do this work in City of Lakewood?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout City of Lakewood and Pierce County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the fence permit with Lakewood Community Development., carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a City of Lakewood fence quote.
Notes & caveats
From Lakewood handout B4: "Fences: Located on private property; Front yard fences – 4 feet high and under unless along a principal arterial; Rear yard fences - 6 feet high and under; Exceptions: If located near or within a critical area, a critical area buffer or Ordinary High-Water Mark may also trigger the need for permits." Lakewood's split front/rear thresholds (4ft/6ft) are stricter than typical 6ft/7ft baseline.
Fence permit fee — Washington baseline, not City of Lakewood's own schedule
Worked example for a $6,000 fence project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $125.25 |
| Plan review | $81.41 |
| WA state surcharge | $6.5 |
| Estimated total | $213.16 |
Typically no fee unless permit required. We have not read City of Lakewood's adopted fee schedule, so this is not City of Lakewood's fee: it walks the standard valuation table most Washington cities adopt by reference, as a rough guide. The real numbers are in City of Lakewood's fee schedule ↗. Impact/utility fees may apply separately.
How to apply yourself
- 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Lakewood fence — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
- 2. Assemble submittals (1).
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Lakewood Community Development. ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (Typically no fee unless permit required.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
We pull fence permits in City of Lakewood every month. We prepare the drawings and submittals, file with Lakewood Community Development., handle reviewer comments, and build the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Fence permits in City of Lakewood — FAQ
When does a fence need a permit in City of Lakewood?
Permit NOT required for: front yard fences ≤4ft (unless along a principal arterial); rear yard fences ≤6ft. Permit required if exceeding these heights, or if located near or within a critical area, critical-area buffer, or Ordinary High-Water Mark.
How much does a fence permit cost in City of Lakewood?
For a $6,000 fence project, the estimated City of Lakewood permit fee is about $213.16 — building fee $125.25 + plan review $81.41 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.