Seattle · Exterior · Cost guide

Fence cost in Seattle (2026):
prices by material and length, and the City height rules

By Oleksii Chelbaiev Last checked November 10, 2026 3 sources

HOW MUCH DOES A FENCE COST IN SEATTLE?

$2,316–$5,477

Angi puts fence installation in Seattle at $2,316 to $5,477, with an average of $3,851, or $24 to $56 per linear foot. Cedar runs $25 to $50 per foot and chain-link $15 to $30. SDCI says a fence up to 8 feet high doesn't need a permit, but height limits still apply: 6 feet in most residential areas and 4 feet in a front setback.

Published estimates, not quotes. Length, material and removing an old fence change the price the most.

Illustration of a craftsman house with a low cedar rail fence in the front yard and a taller cedar privacy fence along the side, a tape measure on the lawn and a stack of old weathered fence boards. — Illustration. Length, material and height limits shape what a Seattle fence costs.

Fence cost in Seattle

Angi, fence installation cost in Seattle, WA (accessed November 2026; the page gives no date). Angi gives two removal ranges on the same page, $3–$7 and $3–$5 per foot; we show the wider one.
Seattle (Angi)	Reported cost
Typical range	$2,316–$5,477
Average	$3,851
Per linear foot	$24–$56 (average $40)
Labor	about 50% of the total, around $1,600 on average
Removing an old fence	$3–$7 per linear foot

Cost by material

Angi, fence installation cost in Seattle, WA.
Material	Per linear foot, Seattle
Chain-link	$15–$30
Pressure-treated pine	$20–$34
Cedar	$25–$50
Vinyl (PVC)	$25–$65
Aluminum	$27–$80
Composite	$35–$70

Cost by length

Angi, Seattle. Tax column is our calculation at Seattle's 10.55% rate (Washington Department of Revenue, October–December 2026); Washington taxes the whole contract, labor included. Removing an old fence is extra.
Fence length	Reported cost	With 10.55% sales tax
50 ft	$1,200–$2,800	$1,327–$3,095
100 ft	$2,300–$5,500	$2,543–$6,080
150 ft	$3,500–$8,200	$3,869–$9,065
200 ft	$4,600–$11,000	$5,085–$12,161

Replacing a 150-foot fence? Angi's removal range adds about $450 to $1,050 for that length. Rates for other cities: sales tax on home repairs.

Seattle fence rules: permit and height

Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI), Fences.
Rule	SDCI
Permit	Not required up to 8 ft, unless masonry or concrete parts are over 6 ft, or the site is flood-prone
Height in neighborhood residential and multifamily zones	6 ft (arbors and trellises may add 2 ft)
Front or street-side setback	4 ft
Sloping site	Up to 8 ft at posts if the average height between posts is 6 ft
On a retaining wall that raises the grade	9 ft 6 in combined

Taller fences need a permit. SDCI says most need a subject-to-field-inspection construction permit, with a site plan and section drawings. Angi says SDCI permits add $150 to $400 to most residential fence projects; under SDCI's rules, that cost applies when a permit is required.
Near wetlands or steep slopes, different rules apply under Seattle's environmentally critical areas code.
On a slope with a retaining wall? See retaining wall cost in Seattle.

Before you sign

Get the length, height, material and post spacing in writing.
Ask whether removing and hauling the old fence is included.
Know where your property line is before the posts go in.
Check the contractor on L&I's Verify a Contractor tool, and get the disclosure statement for jobs of $1,000 or more: see construction liens.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a fence cost in Seattle?

Angi puts fence installation in Seattle at $2,316 to $5,477, with an average of $3,851, or $24 to $56 per linear foot. Sales tax of 10.55% applies to the whole contract.

How much does a cedar fence cost in Seattle?

Angi lists cedar at $25 to $50 per linear foot in Seattle, compared with $20 to $34 for pressure-treated pine and $15 to $30 for chain-link.

Do I need a permit for a fence in Seattle?

Not for a fence up to 8 feet high, unless it has masonry or concrete parts over 6 feet or the site is flood-prone. Taller fences need a construction permit from SDCI.

How tall can a fence be in Seattle?

In neighborhood residential and multifamily zones, 6 feet, or 4 feet in a front or street-side setback. Arbors and trellises may add 2 feet, and a fence on a retaining wall that raises the grade is limited to 9 feet 6 inches combined.

How much does it cost to remove an old fence?

Angi lists $3 to $7 per linear foot in Seattle, or about $450 to $1,050 for 150 feet.

Other outdoor work: deck cost in Seattle and more exterior and yard cost guides.

About these prices. The ranges are published estimates from the sources below, as of the dates shown. Material costs, labor rates, tariffs and inflation can change prices after those dates, and your home may differ. Use them to plan a budget, then get written quotes from licensed contractors.

Sources

All sources accessed November 10, 2026.

This guide summarizes published cost estimates and City of Seattle rules. Confirm height limits and permit requirements with SDCI before work starts, and get written quotes from licensed, bonded contractors. See our disclosure and disclaimer.