Woodway Municipal Code
Excerpts on Fence Regulations
Excerpt from Chapter 14.08 Definitions
14.08.105 Fence(s).
"Fence(s)" means any artificial barrier erected, constructed or placed
on a lot, including masonry walls and ornamental construction. Fence materials
may include wire, board, metal, wood, wood picket, wood rail, masonry, stone,
block, concrete or other materials. Types of fences include:
A. Perimeter fence: A fence constructed along or within the property line boundaries or in the front, rear or side setbacks. ("Perimeter" means the outer boundary of a closed geometrical figure (curved or rectilinear) or of any area, or surface.)
B. Property line fence: A fence constructed on the legal property line(s).
C. Interior fence: A fence constructed within and not on the property line boundaries and not within the front, rear or side yard setbacks or as included herein. (Ord. 298 §1, 1994)
Chapter 12.24 Fences and Walls
12.24.010 Right-of-way.
No fence or wall may be built or allowed in the town right-of-way. (Ord. 98-344
§1)
12.24.020 Fees.
A. Existing fence or wall repairs do not require a building permit.
B. Construction of a new fence or wall as described herein requires a building
permit. A permit fee as scheduled provides a plan check and one site inspection.
Any additional inspections will be based on the one site inspection. Any additional
inspections will be based on the Building Permit Fee Schedule Appendix A, "Other
Inspections and Fees."
C. New construction of a fence or wall which is included on the new residence
building plans will be included in the original building permit fee. Inspections
of said fence or wall shall be completed prior to the town's issuance of a building
permit final inspection approval; otherwise, subsection B of this section and
the requirements of this chapter shall apply. (Ord. 98-344 §1)
12.24.030 Violation--Penalty.
Failure to obtain a fence permit hereafter shall be a violation under Chapter
14.56 of this code. Any new perimeter or property line fence constructed prior
to receiving a permit shall be in violation of Chapter 14.56. A permit shall
be immediately obtained. In addition to the monetary penalty provided in Section
14.56.010, the owner shall pay the cost of any removal or relocation of the
fence as required by the town building official or building inspector, as authorized
by the mayor, within thirty days if said fence is not in compliance with ordinances
so established by the town. Failure to construct a fence hereafter in accordance
with the requirements of this chapter shall be a violation under Chapter 14.56.
(Ord. 98-344 §1)
12.24.040 Right of appeal.
Any decision made by the department designated by the Mayor to approve or disapprove the submitted plans for fence or wall construction or reconstruction may be appealed to the Town of Woodway Hearing Examiner by following the procedures in Chapter 2.24 of this code. (Ord. 01-412 §1 (Exh. 1 (part)), 2001: Ord. 98-344 §1)
Excerpt from Chapter 12.50 Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub
12.50.030 Swimming pool fences.
Every swimming pool, public or private, constructed under the provisions of
this code shall have a fence installed around the perimeter that complies with
the following standards:
A. Fences shall be not less than five feet in height with no opening thereon,
other than doors or gates, larger than four square inches. The fence around
the pool area may include yard areas so long as the fence, together with any
buildings or other structures to which the fence abuts, prevent unauthorized
access to the pool area except through doors or gates.
B. All gates or doors opening through such fence enclosure shall be equipped
with self-closing and self-latching devices designed to keep and capable of
keeping such doors and gates securely closed at all times when not in use. All
self-closing and self-latching devices shall be installed at a height on the
door or gate not less than four and one-half feet above the ground level at
such door or gate, or secured from the outside by a locking mechanism; provided,
that the door of single-family residence that is part of the required enclosure
need not be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices if all other
provisions of this section have been met.
C. For the purposes hereof, a swimming pool shall mean any structure, basin,
chamber or tank containing water used for swimming, diving, relaxing or recreational
bathing, and having depth of two feet or more at any point and containing or
being able to contain five thousand gallons of water or more. Swimming pools
located within a courtyard shall be fenced as required herein. (Ord. 98-344
§1)
Excerpt from Chapter 14.24 R-87 Residence Zone
14.24.020 Purpose.
The primary function of the residential R-87 zone is to provide for a one-family dwelling unit, which must adhere to bulk regulations in Section 14.24.040 of this chapter. (Ord. 01-412 §1 (Exh. 1 (part)), 2001: Ord. 202 §5.02, 1987)
14.24.030 Permitted secondary uses.
E. One game court shall be allowed. Fences surrounding game courts shall not exceed twelve feet in height. Game courts, including fencing, shall comply with setback regulations for R-43 zoning which consists of thirty-foot front, twenty-foot back and ten-foot side. No court lighting shall be allowed. The fees for the application of a permit to construct a game court shall be as established by the town's fee schedule ordinance (Chapter 3.32 of this code), in effect at the time the application is submitted.
M. Fences are permitted subject to the following regulations;
1. Perimeter and property line fences are permitted and shall not exceed
six feet in height.
2. Perimeter and property line walls are permitted and shall not exceed
four feet in height. A railing or open fencing not exceeding two feet in height
is permitted on top of a wall.
3. In the event that a fence is finished on only one side, the finished
side of the fence shall face away from the property being fenced.
4. The height of the fence as hereinabove described shall be determined
by the measurement between the top board, surface, rail or wire to the ground
directly below said fence. A ground level may be built-up under said property
line fence level to the nearest elevation of paved pathway or street in the
town right-of-way which fronts said fence. In this situation the height of the
fence shall be measured from the top of that built-up ground level fill. otherwise,
no ground level shall be built-up on which to build a property line fence unless
the total height of the built-up ground level plus the fence does not exceed
the maximum height allowable, excluding any leveling of filled areas of three
feet or less in length or width which serve to level the top line of the fence.
5. No portion of a fence or wall is permitted if it obstructs the traffic
line of sight distance at road or street intersections.
6. No fence shall extend beyond the front, side or rear property lines
of any lot or plot of land.
7. For fences or walls on or near a property line, the determination of
the location of property lines shall be the responsibility of the property owner(s)
building the fence. The town building official may require the property owner
to provide a certified boundary survey at the owner's expense to verify that
the fence or wall is located in accordance with the so approved plans
8. Interior Fences.
a. Swimming Pool Fences. Swimming pools shall be a enclosed by fencing a minimum of five feet in height above finished grade. Fencing shall have openings not more than four inches wide, and gates that are self-closing with self-latching and locking devices that are located four and one-half feet above ground level and on the inside of the fence. See subsection (D)(2)of this section. Fencing shall comply with setback regulations R-43 which consist of thirty feet in the front and twenty feet in the side and rear yard.9. A building permit is required for the construction of any new fence or wall so described in this subsection.
b. Game Court Fences. Fences surrounding game courts shall not exceed twelve feet in height. Such fencing may be solid construction on the lower six feet but must be open chainlink or open weave material for the upper six feet. Fencing shall comply with setback regulations for R-43 zoning which consist of thirty feet in the front yard and twenty feet in the rear and side yard
c. Dog shelters or runs are not allowed within the setbacks. Such fencing shall not exceed six feet in height. A roof cover may not be more than eight feet above ground level.
10. Repair of an existing fence or wall which conforms to this subsection does not require a building permit. Any modification of an existing fence or wall that changes its location, height, materials, or character will be considered a "new fence" and will require a building permit.
11. No barbed, concertina or razor wire shall be permitted in construction or repair of a fence or wall, except for perimeter or property line fencing in the industrial product storage, conservation, special study areas zones and public utilities or for reasons of public safety as approved by the town building official.
12. Gates, gate posts, or gate columns shall be no higher than one and one-half times the adjoining fence or wall height.
There shall be no more than two double gates on any street frontage. No gate shall swing open into the town right-of-way.
For R-87 and R-43 zoning, gates, gateposts or columns, including caps, shall not exceed thirty inches in width or thickness.
N. Patios and open ornamentation, provided any ornamentation erected within ten feet of any building shall not exceed three feet in height, unless a doorway, gate, or kickout panel shall be installed in that portion;
Excerpt from Chapter 14.36 Urban Restricted Zone
14.36.020 Purpose.
The primary function of the residential UR zone is to preserve and conserve
wildlife habitat, including wildlife corridors, open space, green belt areas,
and other sensitive and critical natural resources, on a site while allowing
residential development on portions of a site when that development is consistent
with the above stated values and adheres to bulk regulations in Section 14.36.040
of this chapter. (Ord. 99-370 §1(c)(part), 1999)
14.36.025 Permitted primary uses.
Permitted primary uses are limited to (1) detached single-family residential
use to the extent not inconsistent with the preservation and conservation of
wildlife habitat, including wildlife corridors, open space, green belt areas,
and other sensitive and critical natural resources on site; (2) planting and
cultivation, reforestation of trees, grass and other vegetation compatible with
the maintenance of the area in its natural condition as well as to improve the
overall wildlife habitat; (3) fences and other enclosures as appropriate to
protect the general public from hazards of the terrain, to protect encompassed
natural resources, and to reduce the potential for conflict between native species
and domestic animals; and (4) storm water detention/reten-tion and water quality
pond structures and facilities. (Ord. 99-370 §1(c)(part), 1999)