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
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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
We set vertical cedar boards between cedar posts, each section framed by a top cap and a lower rail, and stepped the runs 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
By October 2021 the patio and path were 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 Across the Greater Seattle AreaOur 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 the Greater Seattle AreaWhat 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. In Seattle neighborhood residential zones, fence height on a slope may be averaged along each 6 foot segment, with no part over 8 feet where the limit is 6 feet (SMC 23.44.090.H.4.c).
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: in Seattle neighborhood residential zones, 6 feet in a required setback and 4 feet in a front or street side setback (SMC 23.44.090.H.4.a).
Can a fence go next to a stone retaining wall?
Yes, and here the fence runs right along the stacked stone walls. In Seattle neighborhood residential zones, a fence on a retaining wall is limited to 4 feet, and on a new wall that raises the grade the two together are limited to 9.5 feet (SMC 23.44.090.H.4.a). 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 the Greater Seattle Area.
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.
- Remodeling Warranty in Seattle and Bellevue, WAOur 2-year workmanship warranty and how to make a claim.
- Referral Program: You Get $500 Cash or $1,500 Credit, They Get $500 OffRefer a friend who is planning a remodel and choose your reward.
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.