New Fence Installation in Everett, WA
A new fence is a big job. The company should measure, check your property line, pull the permit if one is needed, and set posts deep enough to stay straight.
- 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.
Cedar posts set in wet soil can rot in 15 to 20 years. Treated posts with cedar boards above ground often last longer.
Typical prices in Everett
| Job | Typical range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar fence, per linear foot installed (Seattle area) | $25-$50 | regional 2025 |
| Wood fence, per linear foot installed (Pacific Northwest planning range) | $32-$65 | regional 2026 |
| Typical 150 ft wood fence job (Pacific Northwest) | $4,800-$9,750 | regional 2026 |
| Cedar fence, typical 200 ft job | $3,700-$9,300 | national 2025 |
Ranges, not quotes. Your price depends on the job.
Everett rules that apply
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.
Questions
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.