Find a trusted fence company in Kent, WA
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Kent is about 20 miles south of Seattle in King County, Washington, in the valley along the Green River. It is not Kent, Ohio or any other Kent.
Fence services in Kent
What to know before you hire in Kent
Permit: Kent follows the 2021 International Building Code, which lets owners build a fence 7 feet or shorter without a building permit. A taller fence, a masonry wall, or a fence on a parcel with critical areas or shoreline may need a permit. Exempt work must still follow every other city rule, like the corner sight rule. Call the Kent permit center to confirm before you build.
- On a corner lot in a residential zone, nothing may block the view between 2.5 feet and 10 feet above the street grade inside the corner triangle. The triangle runs 20 feet back along each street line from the corner.
- The side yard along a side street on a corner lot must be at least 10 feet wide, unless a larger yard is required.
- Access points for cars must be built so drivers can see. This covers driveways next to a new fence.
- A fence 7 feet or less is exempt from a building permit under the 2021 International Building Code that Kent has adopted. Exempt work must still follow other city rules.
- In Kent code, a 100 percent sight-obscuring fence is solid wood, metal or similar material that fully hides the view at 6 feet above the base. A basic sight-obscuring fence can be chain link with slats in every row.
- Kent code counts fence posts as structures.
- The city building official has no duty to find or mark your lot lines. You are responsible for knowing where your property line is.
- Washington law lets a court order removal of a structure built on purpose to spite or annoy a neighbor.
What holds up in Kent
Kent is wet in fall, winter and spring, with a dry summer. Most of the rain falls from October to April. Wind storms can also hit Puget Sound.
- Cedar privacy fence. Cedar boards are the common choice in western Washington because they handle wet weather better than many woods.
- Pressure-treated posts with cedar boards. Treated posts resist ground rot in Kent's wet soil better than cedar posts do.
- Vinyl fence. It does not rot or grow moss in the rainy months.
- Chain link fence. A low-cost choice for large lots, and slatted chain link counts as sight-obscuring under Kent code.
- Wood fence repair and post replacement. Wet winters rot posts and loosen boards, so many Kent fences need repair after a storm season.
- Gates and driveway gates. Gates near a driveway or corner still have to keep the sight area clear.
Questions Kent homeowners ask
Do I need a permit for a fence in Kent, WA?
Often no. Kent follows the 2021 building code, which exempts fences 7 feet or shorter from a building permit. Taller fences, masonry walls, or fences on parcels with critical areas or shoreline may need one. Call the Kent permit center to confirm.
How tall can my fence be?
We could not confirm a front, side or rear height limit in Kent's code. Many sites say 4 feet in front and 6 feet in back, but we did not find that in the code text. Ask the city before you pick a height.
Can I put a fence on a corner lot?
Yes, but you cannot block the view between 2.5 and 10 feet high inside the corner triangle. The triangle runs 20 feet back along each street from the corner. Open styles or lower fences near the corner help.
What fence lasts longest in Kent's rain?
Vinyl does not rot. For wood, cedar boards on pressure-treated posts is the common pick. Cedar posts can rot at the ground line in 15 to 20 years in wet soil. Sealing the wood every two to three years helps.
Will wind knock my fence down?
Puget Sound can see gusts near 70 mph in big storms. Solid privacy fences take the most force. Strong posts set deep, with good concrete, make the biggest difference.
How deep do fence posts need to go?
Kent lists a 12 inch frost line in its building design criteria. Posts for a tall fence usually go deeper than that for strength. Ask your installer how deep they set posts and what they use at the base.
Who do I call before digging post holes?
Call 811 or 800-424-5555. Washington law asks for locates at least 2 full business days before you dig. It's free, and it keeps you from hitting a buried line.
Who decides where my property line is?
You do. The city building official has no duty to find your lot lines. A licensed surveyor can mark them. Talk to your neighbor before you build, and set the fence a little inside the line if you are unsure.
Areas we serve
Kent and nearby: Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Covington, Maple Valley, Des Moines, SeaTac. See the service area