Fences and walls in Woodland: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Woodland Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Woodland's code says

Woodland code What Woodland's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	A fence on a retaining wall may total up to 8 feet, if the Director allows it. Applies: Where the retaining wall handles a grade difference and a 6-foot fence limit applies; measured from the wall's midpoint to the fence top. § 17.64.030 · code text the Director may allow a combined height of fence and retaining wall up to eight feet, as measured from the midpoint of the retaining wall to the fence top.
Front yard height	Solid fences, walls and hedges may be no more than 3 feet 6 inches tall. Applies: In a required front setback or along the front property line. § 17.64.030 · code text Solid fences, walls, and hedges located within a required front setback or along the front yard property line may be a maximum of three feet six inches in height. At most 5 feet for a wrought iron or powder-coated or integral-color tubular steel fence. Applies: Downtown Zones; fence at least 80% open, in required front or street side setback, at least 5 feet from back of sidewalk. § 17.64.030 · code text up to five feet in height may be installed within a required front or street side setback provided the fence is a minimum of 80% open Fences may be up to 5 feet tall. Applies: RL, N-P and RLM zones; the whole fence at least 80% open, placed 5 feet from the back of sidewalk. § 17.64.030 · code text A fence up to five feet in height may be located five feet from the back of sidewalk provided the fence in its entirety is open a minimum of 80% At most 5 feet, with the top 2 feet open (no more than 20% opaque). Applies: Zones RL, N-P, RLM; 10 feet or more from back of sidewalk; no more than 40% of front width; area to right-of-way landscaped and maintained. § 17.64.030 · code text A fence up to five feet in height may be located a minimum of 10 feet from the back of the sidewalk provided the top two feet are open a minimum of 8% Decorative or tubular steel fences may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: RM, RH, mixed-use, commercial and employment zones; at least 80% open and at least 10 feet from the back of sidewalk. § 17.64.030 · code text fence up to six feet in height may be located 10-feet from the back of sidewalk, provided the fence is a minimum of 80% open Columns, pilasters and supports of a fence or gate may be up to 7 feet tall. Applies: In required setbacks; no closer than 12 feet on center; they must not block sight visibility. § 17.64.030 · code text They do not exceed seven feet in height;
Side and rear yard height	Fences, walls and hedges may be no more than 3 feet 6 inches tall. Applies: Within 5 feet of the street side property line. § 17.64.030 · code text Fences, walls, and hedges located within five feet of the street side property line may be a maximum of three feet six inches in height. Fences, walls and hedges may be no more than 7 feet tall. Applies: 5 feet or more from the street side property line. § 17.64.030 · code text Fences, walls, and hedges located five feet or more from the street side property line may be a maximum of seven feet in height. Fences, walls and hedges may be no more than 7 feet tall. Applies: Interior side and rear setback areas behind the required front setback. § 17.64.030 · code text Fences, walls, and hedges behind the required front setback within the interior side and rear setback areas may be a maximum of seven feet in height.
Permit	A building permit is required for fences and walls over 6 feet tall. § 17.64.030 · code text All fences and walls over six feet in height and all retaining walls 36 inches or greater in height require a Building Permit (see § 17.100.130, Building Permit). An encroachment permit is required. Applies: Fences and walls in the public right-of-way. § 17.64.030 · code text All fences and walls within the public right-of-way require an encroachment permit and shall be subject to all requirements of this section in addition to any public works requirements.

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How tall can a fence be in Woodland?

Solid fences, walls and hedges in a required front setback are limited to 3 feet 6 inches; interior side and rear setbacks, 7 feet.

Fences and walls in Woodland

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