A. All fences and freestanding walls shall meet the requirements for height, setback, sight obstruction, maintenance, and special location provisions as set forth in this chapter.

B. The design of all fences and freestanding walls shall be consistent with the adopted design standards that are applicable to the site.

C. A building permit shall be required prior to installation of a fence or freestanding wall, except for when the fence or freestanding wall is located in the Single-Family Residential Zone outside of the Historic District.

D. The type, size, location, and height of fencing proposed for tennis courts, parks, or athletic fields shall be categorically exempt from the requirements outlined in this chapter and will be reviewed and approved by the Planning and Development Services Department on a project-by-project basis.

E. No fence or freestanding wall shall create a safety hazard or sight obstruction as described in SMC 14.210.150.

F. Electrical fences and fences with barbed wire, razor wire, concertina wire, or similar products are prohibited in all residential public land use designations as shown on the Future Land Use Map.

G. Fence and Freestanding Wall Height.

A. The proposed fence is on a lot with a residential use on the ground floor.

B. The right-of-way is equal to or in excess of 60 feet.

C. There will be no obstruction to the operation of utility equipment and the maintenance of utility lines.

D. The fence is located on the nonstreet side of the sidewalk, or otherwise in the opinion of the Director does not impede the normal flow of the public’s use of the right-of-way.

E. The property owner-applicant proposing the fence executes and records an agreement, approved by the City Engineer or designee, to maintain the fence at the said owner-applicant’s expense and remove the fence at the said owner-applicant’s expense if required by the City, or a public utility, for any reason in order to work in the right-of-way.

F. The owner-applicant proposing the fence shall also comply with all requirements of Chapter 12.12 SMC, Right-of-Way Use Permit. (Ord. 2516, 2025)

A. Be located at least two feet from the property line and shall not be located in the right-of-way.

B. Use an interrupted flow of current at intervals of one second on and two seconds off.

C. Be limited to 2,000 volts at 17 mill amperes current.

D. Require a “U.L. Approved” seal.

E. Be posted with permanent signs with a minimum area of 36 square inches at intervals of not more than 50 feet stating that the fence is electrified.

F. Electrical fences are prohibited in all residential and public land use designations as shown on the Future Land Use Map. (Ord. 2516, 2025)

A. Residential Designations – SFR, LDR, MDR, HDR.

B. Commercial and Industrial Designations – C, MID, HBD, BP, PIL, I, AI Zones. The maximum allowed height of fences and decorative freestanding walls constructed in commercial and industrial zones shall be eight feet and shall comply with the adopted design standards applicable to where the fence/freestanding wall is located.

C. Public Designation – Parks, Open Space, and Public Zone. There are no specific dimensional standards in the POP Zone. Fences and freestanding walls in the POP Zone shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis based on potential impacts and park needs. (Ord. 2516, 2025)

A. Retaining wall and rockery installations in all zones shall be consistent with the adopted design standards and development regulations which are applicable to the area where the retaining wall is located.

There shall not be a maximum height limit on retaining walls and rockeries. However, the height of retaining walls and rockeries shall be the lowest necessary to achieve its intended functional purpose. If the proposed wall or rockery height exceeds the maximum building height limitation for the zone area where it is located, it must be reviewed and approved by the Planning Director or designee on a project-by-project basis.

B. Except as otherwise provided below, retaining wall permits shall be required for all retaining walls. The permit application shall include a site plan, drawn to scale, which shows:

C. If the Planning Director or designee determines it is necessary, structural calculations and/or a geotechnical report prepared by a licensed professional engineer legally entitled to practice in the State of Washington shall be submitted with the application.

D. A Type 1 retaining wall permit shall be required for retaining walls/rockeries four feet or less in height.

E. A Type 2 retaining wall permit shall be required for all retaining walls/rockeries greater than four feet in height.

F. Private retaining walls/rockeries shall not be located in City rights-of-way except as may be otherwise provided in the Snohomish Municipal Code.

G. The height of a retaining wall/rockery shall be measured from the lowest part of the wall/rockery or wall/rockery footing to the highest part of the wall/rockery at every location along the wall/rockery.

H. No part of a retaining wall/rockery may extend into an adjacent lot.

I. Guardrails required to be placed at the top of retaining walls/rockeries, pursuant to the City-adopted building codes, shall be permitted as part of the wall/rockery, and shall not be considered to be a fence or part of the wall/rockery height.

J. A retaining wall/rockery may terminate at a property line; provided, that it must abut a retaining wall/rockery on the adjacent property and is structurally independent from such wall. (Ord. 2516, 2025)

A. Permits shall not be required for fences or freestanding walls/rockeries two feet or less in height.

B. The City may waive the requirement for a retaining wall permit when:

C. Permits shall not be required for retaining walls/rockeries within new plats or developments that are reviewed and approved by the City as part of the improvements associated with an issued site civil permit. (Ord. 2516, 2025)