Fence permits in City of Seattle: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a fence permit in City of Seattle, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI).
When does a fence need a permit in City of Seattle?
No permit required if ALL of: ≤8ft tall, no masonry/concrete >6ft, not in a flood zone, not in/near an ECA. NR zones: 6ft standard, up to +2ft architectural features. Sloping sites: max 8ft if avg height between posts is 6ft.
Required submittals
- scaled site plan (if permit required)
- section / detail drawings (if permit required)
Inspection sequence
- final (if permit required)
Contractor specialties needed
general
Notes & caveats
Fences do NOT count toward lot coverage. ECA proximity (wetland, steep slope) adds restrictions. Architect/engineer stamp typically not required.
Fence permit fee estimate in City of Seattle
Worked example for a $6,000 fence project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $162.83 |
| Plan review | $105.84 |
| Technology surcharge | $8.14 |
| WA state surcharge | $4.5 |
| Estimated total | $281.31 |
$2,001 to $25,000: $69.25 + $14 per $1,000 over $2,000 (Seattle SDCI applies ~1.30× multiplier vs. UBC baseline; verify against current SDCI Fee Subtitle for exact figures) Computed from the City of Seattle 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 Seattle fence — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
- 2. Assemble submittals (2).
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) ↗
- 4. Track review (typical: —). Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (Construction Subject-to-Field-Inspection permit when required. See 2026 SDCI Fee Subtitle.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Fence permits in City of Seattle — FAQ
When does a fence need a permit in City of Seattle?
No permit required if ALL of: ≤8ft tall, no masonry/concrete >6ft, not in a flood zone, not in/near an ECA. NR zones: 6ft standard, up to +2ft architectural features. Sloping sites: max 8ft if avg height between posts is 6ft.
How much does a fence permit cost in City of Seattle?
For a $6,000 fence project, the estimated City of Seattle permit fee is about $281.31 — building fee $162.83 + plan review $105.84 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.