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 Planning & Community Development.
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to City of Shoreline's source.
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.
In the source's own words
“The maximum height of fences located along a side and/or rear yard property line shall be six feet.”Source ↗verified 2026-10-02
What City of Shoreline says in its own permit handout
From Fences (dated 6/2026), published by City of Shoreline. This is the jurisdiction's own guidance on its permit process, not the ordinance text — where the two differ, the code governs.
“No permit is required, unless the fence is over seven feet high or the fence is located in an environmentally critical area, such as near a steep slope, stream, or wetland.”Handout ↗read 2026-09-05
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 Shoreline?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout City of Shoreline and King County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the fence permit with Shoreline Planning & Community Development, carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a City of Shoreline fence quote.
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 — Washington baseline, not City of Shoreline's own schedule
Worked example for a $6,000 fence project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $260 |
| Plan review | $169 |
| WA state surcharge | $6.50 |
| Estimated total | $435.50 |
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). We have not read City of Shoreline's adopted fee schedule, so this is not City of Shoreline'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 Shoreline'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 Shoreline 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: Shoreline Planning & Community Development ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 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.
Or have Kolmo do it
We pull fence permits in City of Shoreline every month. We prepare the drawings and submittals, file with Shoreline Planning & Community Development, handle reviewer comments, and build the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
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 $435.50 — building fee $260 + plan review $169 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.