Cedar Fence Remodel in Seattle, WA
This Seattle side yard got new cedar privacy fencing in October 2021. The fence wraps a small paved patio under a wood pergola and follows a narrow path past stacked stone retaining walls, stepping up with the grade so the yard is screened from the neighbors on both sides.
- City
- Seattle, WA
- Service
- Fence remodel
- Scope
- Cedar privacy fence along both sides of a side yard and patio, stepped along stone retaining walls
- Materials
- Unstained cedar boards, cedar posts, top cap and lower rail
- Year
- 2021
- Contractor
- Volcano Builders, WA license VOLCABI792C6
The finished fence
How this Seattle side yard was closed in
The goal
The yard is a narrow strip between the house and the property lines, with a paved seating area under a pergola, a gravel path with square stepping stones, and planted terraces held up by stacked stone walls. On the neighbor side an older chain-link fence and a stand of bamboo gave little privacy. The aim was a solid wood screen around the whole space.
The challenge
Nothing about this yard is flat or square. The ground rises toward the back in terraces, the stone walls sit at different heights, and the fence had to pass a pergola post and turn corners in a space only a few feet wide. Every run had to sit tight to the walls and the path without blocking the walkway.
The solution
The photos show vertical cedar boards set between cedar posts, each section framed by a top cap and a lower rail, and the runs stepped in height so the top line follows the rise of the yard. The boards are left unstained. On the neighbor side the new fence stands in front of the old chain-link, which stays on the far side with the bamboo behind it.
The result
The finished photos, taken on October 8 and October 25, 2021, show the patio and path closed in by one continuous wall of fresh cedar. From the seating area the view is now cedar and stone rather than wire and the neighboring houses.
Related pages
- Fence Installation in SeattleOur fence service: wood privacy fences, gates and remodels.
- Seattle Home Remodeling ContractorsWhat we build across Seattle and how a project starts.
- Remodeling Pricing Guide for Seattle and Bellevue, WAWhat drives the price of a remodel, fences included.
- Horizontal Cedar Fence on a Rock WallHorizontal cedar boards above a boulder wall, with a matching gate.
- Backyard Cedar Privacy FenceA long flat-top cedar fence around a large lawn.
- Wood Privacy Fence Around a BackyardA long wood privacy fence with dark posts and caps.
Questions about this project
Can a fence follow a sloped or terraced yard?
Yes. On this Seattle job the fence is built in sections that step up with the ground, so each panel stays close to the grade and the top line rises with the yard. Seattle allows a fence on a sloping lot to reach 8 feet as long as it averages 6 feet between posts.
Does a new fence need a permit in Seattle?
Usually not. The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections does not require a building permit for a fence 8 feet tall or less with no masonry or concrete above 6 feet, outside flood prone areas. Zoning height limits still apply: 6 feet in most residential zones, and 4 feet in a front or street side setback.
Can a fence go next to a stone retaining wall?
Yes, and here the fence runs right along the stacked stone walls. Where a wall raises the grade of the yard, Seattle limits the wall and fence together to 9 feet 6 inches, and a retaining wall over 4 feet needs its own permit. We check both at the site visit.
How do I get a price for a cedar fence like this one?
Book a consultation. We walk the fence line with you, measure it, note the slope, walls and gates, then send a written, itemized price before any work starts. For background, read the Remodeling Pricing Guide for Seattle and Bellevue, WA.
Before you book
- Remodeling Reviews in Seattle and Bellevue, WAWhat homeowners say about working with us, in their own words.
- Home Renovation Financing in SeattleHow remodeling financing works, and the application.
- Home Remodeling Warranty in WashingtonHow our warranty protects the work once it is finished.
- Referral Program for Volcano Builders in Seattle and Bellevue, WARefer a friend who is planning a remodel and choose your reward.
- Choosing the Right Fence: Types, Costs, and LongevityFrom our blog.
- Top 5 Tips for Choosing a Fencing ContractorFrom our blog.
Book your fence consultation
Four quick steps. Tell us about your project and we’ll reach out to discuss it and see if we’re the right fit.