Bothell Fence Contractor
Bothell straddles the King and Snohomish county line, and its fence jobs straddle two eras. South of the county line, around downtown and Westhill, established houses with older fences; to the north, around Canyon Park and North Creek, subdivisions from the 1990s onward with fences on their first or second replacement.
We build and replace fences and gates on both sides of Bothell, including dog fences for family yards, vinyl for owners done with staining, and fences along wetland edges in the North Creek valley.
Schedule your no-obligation on-site consultation today.
Bothell, North and South
Snohomish County subdivisions
Canyon Park, Queensborough and the neighborhoods along North Creek were planned with uniform fences, many under HOA standards, now wearing out together.
Wetlands and the river
North Creek, Horse Creek and the Sammamish River bring wetland buffers and high groundwater to the valley floor, where posts need drainage and the fence line has to respect the buffer.
Hillside streets
West and south of downtown, streets climb steeply, and fences often meet short retaining walls at the property corners.
Bothell Fence Rules in Brief
6 feet in any yard
Fences 6 feet or less may be placed without a setback in any front, rear or side yard — behind any required landscape buffer. Taller fences must meet the yard setbacks.
Permit-free up to 6 feet
Bothell’s building code exempts fences not over 6 feet. Retaining walls up to 4 feet (from the bottom of the footing) are exempt too.
Grade, guards and walls
Height is measured from the predominant finish or existing grade near the fence. Where a fence sits on a wall high enough to need a guard, it has to meet guard rules. Walls in front and rear setbacks are limited to 4 feet, side setbacks to 6.
Hydrants, sight lines and wire
Keep fences 3 feet from fire hydrants and within the city’s sight-distance standards. Razor wire is prohibited; barbed and electric wire are limited to animal-keeping and specific security uses. Compare in fence height rules by city.
Fences for Bothell Families
Dog-proof back yards
6-foot privacy with dig guards and self-latching gates. See dog fences.
Vinyl privacy
White or tan vinyl panels for owners who want a fence that only needs washing.
Front fences at full height
Because Bothell allows 6-foot fences in any yard, a privacy fence can screen a side-street yard on a corner lot — as long as it stays clear of sight-distance areas at the corner and driveway.
Bothell Jobs
Subdivision fence replacement
Replacing the builder’s original fence to the HOA’s current standard. See fence replacement and HOA approval.
Posts in wet valley soil
Leaning posts reset with gravel and concrete crowned above grade. See fence repair.
RV and trailer gates
Double gates on reinforced posts beside the garage. See driveway gates.
Bothell Fence Questions
Can I build a 6-foot fence in my Bothell front yard?
The code allows fences up to 6 feet in any yard, behind any required landscape buffer and within sight-distance standards. HOA rules may still limit it.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Bothell?
Not for a fence up to 6 feet. Taller fences need a permit and must meet the setbacks.
Does it matter which county my house is in?
Not for the fence rules — Bothell’s code applies to the whole city. It can matter for other permits and utilities.
How close can a fence be to a fire hydrant?
At least 3 feet away.
Sources
- BMC 12.14.150 — Fences City of Bothell
- BMC 20.02.095 — Work exempt from permit City of Bothell
Links and figures last checked against these sources: . Codes change — confirm the current rule with the city before you build.