Auburn Fence Contractor
Auburn sits where the Green and White river valleys meet, and spills over into Pierce County at Lakeland Hills. Downtown’s older street grid and the valley floor are flat and often wet; Lea Hill and West Hill rise above them with newer subdivisions and bigger yards.
We build privacy and front-yard fences, dog fences, gates and chain link across Auburn, replace aging fences, and fence the pastures and larger lots that remain on the edges of town.
Schedule your no-obligation on-site consultation today.
Auburn Neighborhoods
Downtown and the valley
Older homes on a grid near Main Street, and valley-floor lots where drainage decides how long a fence post lasts.
Lea Hill and West Hill
Plateau subdivisions with privacy fences between yards, many under association rules, and some large lots with room for animals.
Lakeland Hills
Hillside streets on the Pierce County side, where retaining walls and fences meet on sloping lots.
Auburn Fence Rules in Brief
Side, rear and street side: 72 inches
In residential zones, fences may be 72 inches in side, rear and street-side setbacks, and as tall as the zone’s building height outside the setbacks.
Front: 42 inches, or 72 if see-through
Solid fences in the front setback are limited to 42 inches. Chain link, wrought iron and similar fences that are no more than 50% opaque may be 72 inches.
Measuring, lattice and walls
Height is measured from existing grade with a 6% tolerance; lattice and trellis count. On a retaining wall, height is measured from the base of the wall. Walls of 48 to 84 inches are not allowed in front and street-side setbacks.
Permits, wire and hydrants
Permits only for fences over 84 inches. Barbed, concertina and razor wire are prohibited in residential zones except on pastures of an acre or more. Keep hydrants visible from 150 feet, and give locking front-yard gates emergency access. Compare in fence height rules by city.
Fences That Fit Auburn
Tall see-through front fences
Because open fences may be 72 inches in the front setback, aluminum or ornamental steel can secure a front yard without a solid wall.
Chain link for big yards
Economical perimeter fencing for large lots, dogs and outbuildings, allowed to full height in front too.
Cedar privacy behind the house
6-foot cedar along side and rear lines, remembering that a lattice top counts toward the 72 inches.
Auburn Jobs
Dog fences
Dig guards and self-closing gates for family yards. See dog fences.
Front gates with emergency access
Locking front-yard gates planned with the emergency access Auburn requires. See driveway gates.
Subdivision replacements
Replacing tired privacy fences on Lea Hill and West Hill. See fence replacement.
Auburn Fence Questions
How tall can a front-yard fence be in Auburn?
42 inches for a solid fence, or 72 inches for chain link, wrought iron and similar fences no more than 50% opaque.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Auburn?
Only for fences over 84 inches, though a fence on a retaining wall may need one.
Does lattice count toward fence height?
Yes. In Auburn, lattice and trellis on top count toward the limit.
Can I use barbed wire?
Not in residential zones, except for pastures of one acre or more.
Sources
- ACC 18.31.020 — Fences City of Auburn
- ACC 18.31.025 — Retaining walls City of Auburn
Links and figures last checked against these sources: . Codes change — confirm the current rule with the city before you build.