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..
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
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 estimate in City of Lakewood
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 | $4.5 |
| Estimated total | $211.16 |
Typically no fee unless permit required. Computed from the City of Lakewood fee bracket schedule · source ↗. Impact/utility fees may apply separately.
How to apply
- 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 (typical: —). 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.
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 $211.16 — building fee $125.25 + plan review $81.41 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.