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Everett is the Snohomish County seat, about 25 miles north of Seattle on Interstate 5 and Puget Sound.
Fence services in Everett
What to know before you hire in Everett
Permit: The city's fence handout says a fence 7 feet tall or less on private property does not need a permit. It still must meet the city's height, material and see-through rules. A fence over 7 feet, where allowed, or any fence in the public right-of-way needs a Public Works permit. Permit Services at 3200 Cedar Street handles questions.
- In a residential front setback or next to the public right-of-way, a fence can be 42 inches tall.
- A front-setback fence can go up to 6 ft if it is at least 10 ft from the sidewalk, at least 70 percent see-through between 3 ft and 6 ft high, and not chain link or a similar material.
- In the street-side setback, a fence can be 6 ft tall.
- In interior side and rear setbacks, a fence can be 7 ft tall. The limit was 6 ft before the November 2020 code update.
- On a corner lot or double-fronting lot, the front and street-side or rear heights can be switched if the front of the house faces the street side or rear.
- Chain link fences are not allowed in the MU and UR4 zones or in historic overlays.
- Keep a fence at least 4 ft from utility mains (or as Public Works decides) and at least 2 ft from utility service lines.
- City Public Works permits for fences near roads have limited fences to 36 inches inside the 15 ft sight triangle at street and alley corners.
What holds up in Everett
Everett gets about 40 inches of rain a year. Most of it falls from October to April, and summers are dry. Southerly windstorms can bring gusts of 50 mph or more.
- Cedar privacy fence. Cedar boards handle Western Washington rain better than most wood, when posts are set to drain.
- Pressure-treated posts with cedar boards. Local trade advice is to use ground-contact treated posts because wet soil rots buried cedar.
- Vinyl fence. It does not rot, which fits the October to April wet season.
- Aluminum or open-style front yard fence. The front setback is limited to 42 inches, or 6 ft only if the fence is 70 percent see-through.
- Chain link fence. A low-cost choice for backyards and pets, but it cannot be used for the taller front-yard option and is banned in some zones.
- Fence repair and post replacement. Rotted posts and wind damage are common after wet winters and storms.
Questions Everett homeowners ask
Do I need a permit for a fence in Everett?
Usually not on private property if the fence is 7 feet or shorter. It still has to meet the city's height, material and see-through rules. A taller fence or one in the public right-of-way needs a Public Works permit.
How tall can my fence be in the front yard?
42 inches in the front setback. It can go to 6 feet only if it is at least 10 feet from the sidewalk, 70 percent see-through, and not chain link.
How tall can a backyard fence be?
Up to 7 feet in interior side and rear setbacks. The street side of a corner lot is limited to 6 feet.
Which fence lasts in all this rain?
Posts rot first. Local advice is ground-contact treated posts, gravel at the bottom of the hole, and cedar boards kept off the dirt. Vinyl does not rot.
Will wind knock my fence down?
Puget Sound windstorms have sent gusts of 60 mph or more to the Everett area. Strong posts and good bracing help. Trees falling on a fence are a bigger risk than the wind alone.
Who do I call before I dig post holes?
Call 811, at least 2 business days before you dig. It is free. Marks last about 45 days.
What if the fence is near a utility line?
Everett's handout asks for 4 feet from utility mains and 2 feet from service lines. Call 811 first and ask Permit Services if you are unsure.
Can I put a fence on a retaining wall?
A wall over 4 feet needs a permit and an engineer. Whether the fence on top counts toward wall height was not confirmed, so ask Everett Planning before you build.
Areas we serve
Everett and nearby: Mukilteo, Marysville, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Mill Creek, Lynnwood, Bothell. See the service area