Fence permits in City of Shoreline: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)

Everything you need to know about pulling a fence permit in City of Shoreline, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Shoreline uses its own permit center..

Permit required?
Often no
Permit fee
Typically no fee unless permit required. Apply electronically via eTRAKiT (https://www.shorelinewa.gov/government/departments/planning-community-development/permit-center-remote-services/register-for-a-professional-etrakit-account).
Review timeline
· OTC eligible

When does a fence need a permit in City of Shoreline?

Shoreline's Construction Permit FAQ states a construction permit is not needed for "fences six feet high or lower." SMC 20.50.190 caps side/rear-yard fence height at 6 feet; front-yard fences are limited to 3 feet 6 inches and no more than 60 percent opaque. Chain-link/barbed/razor/electric fences are prohibited. Critical-area overlays (Chapter 20.80) trigger additional review.

From City of Shoreline's own page

The maximum height of fences located along a side and/or rear yard property line shall be six feet.
Source ↗verified 2026-05-29

Required submittals

  • site plan w/ heights and setbacks (if permit required)

Inspection sequence

  1. final (if permit required)

Contractor specialties needed

general

Notes & caveats

Corrected 2026-05-29: prior seed used the IRC ≤7 ft building-permit default, but Shoreline's own handout exempts fences "six feet high or lower" and SMC 20.50.190 caps side/rear height at 6 ft. Sight-distance triangle at intersections + driveways per City engineering standards.

Fence permit fee estimate in City of Shoreline

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. Apply electronically via eTRAKiT (https://www.shorelinewa.gov/government/departments/planning-community-development/permit-center-remote-services/register-for-a-professional-etrakit-account). Computed from the City of Shoreline fee bracket schedule · source ↗. Impact/utility fees may apply separately.

How to apply

  1. 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Shoreline fence — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
  2. 2. Assemble submittals (1).
  3. 3. Submit through the city portal: Shoreline uses its own permit center.
  4. 4. Track review (typical: ). Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
  5. 5. Pay issuance fees (Typically no fee unless permit required. Apply electronically via eTRAKiT (https://www.shorelinewa.gov/government/departments/planning-community-development/permit-center-remote-services/register-for-a-professional-etrakit-account).) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.

Fence permits in City of Shoreline — FAQ

When does a fence need a permit in City of Shoreline?

Shoreline's Construction Permit FAQ states a construction permit is not needed for "fences six feet high or lower." SMC 20.50.190 caps side/rear-yard fence height at 6 feet; front-yard fences are limited to 3 feet 6 inches and no more than 60 percent opaque. Chain-link/barbed/razor/electric fences are prohibited. Critical-area overlays (Chapter 20.80) trigger additional review.

How much does a fence permit cost in City of Shoreline?

For a $6,000 fence project, the estimated City of Shoreline permit fee is about $211.16 — building fee $125.25 + plan review $81.41 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.

City of Shoreline resourcesPermit portal ↗Fee schedule ↗