Fence Installation Cost in Puyallup

A fence is one of the simpler exterior projects, and one of the easiest to get wrong. The mistakes are rarely about carpentry. They are about where the line is and what the rules allow.

What a fence costs

Removing an old fence adds $10 to $20 per linear foot. Gates, slopes, and rocky digging raise the price.

Most backyard fences in Puyallup are 6-foot cedar. Cedar holds up to our wet weather better than most softwoods, though every wood fence here needs attention after 15 years or so.

How to estimate your yard

1. Measure the run along each side you plan to fence.
2. Subtract the width of the house if the fence ties into its corners.
3. Count gates.
4. Multiply the footage by the per-foot range.

A typical suburban backyard needs 150 to 200 feet.

Height limits in Puyallup

The Puyallup Municipal Code sets fence heights in single-family zones. Summaries of PMC 20.20.040 describe the limits this way:

Barbed wire and razor wire are not allowed on fences in single-family zones, with a narrow exception for large pastures.

The full code is published at ecode360.com/PU4601. Confirm the current rule for your lot with the city before you build, especially on a corner.

Do you need a permit?

City of Puyallup. Code summaries indicate the city's fence permit applies to fences in the street right-of-way, not to ordinary yard fences on private property. Zoning height limits still apply.

Unincorporated Pierce County. The county's Work Exempt from Building Permit guide exempts fences up to 6 feet high, measured from grade. A lot of South Hill falls under the county.

Exempt does not mean unregulated. Setbacks, sight lines at driveways and corners, and critical areas still apply. So do any homeowners association rules, which are often stricter than the government's.

Find the property line first

This is the expensive mistake. A fence built a foot onto the neighbor's side can be ordered removed, and a fence built a foot inside your own line gives up use of your land.

• Look for survey markers at the lot corners. They are usually metal pins or caps.
• Check your closing documents for a survey.
• Do not trust an old fence, a hedge, or an online map. None of them is a survey.
• If there is any doubt, hire a licensed surveyor. It costs far less than moving a fence.

Talk to your neighbor too. Many shared fences are built by agreement and split in cost.

Before anyone digs

Call 811 a few business days ahead. Utility locates are free, and they are required before digging post holes.

Hiring a fence contractor

1. Get three written bids for the same material, height, and footage.
2. Ask about post depth, post size, and whether posts are set in concrete.
3. Ask what grade of cedar is being quoted.
4. Look the company up in the state's Verify a Contractor tool.
5. Get the timeline and the payment schedule in writing.

Does a fence add value?

Fencing does not appear in the standard cost-versus-value studies, so I cannot give you a percentage. What I can tell you is how buyers behave. Many search specifically for a fenced yard, particularly people with dogs or small children. A solid fence makes the yard feel finished. A leaning, rotted one shows up in every backyard photo.

If the fence is sound, clean it and fix loose boards. If it is falling over, repair or replace the worst sections before listing.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to install a fence in Puyallup?

National guides put wood or vinyl fencing at $20 to $60 per linear foot installed, or $4,000 to $12,000 for 200 feet.

How tall can a fence be in Puyallup?

In single-family zones, up to 6 feet in rear and interior side yards and 3.5 feet within 20 feet of the front lot line, or 5 feet there for open-style fences. Confirm with the city for your lot.

Do I need a permit to build a fence?

In unincorporated Pierce County, fences up to 6 feet are exempt from a building permit. In the City of Puyallup, the fence permit applies to fences in the street right-of-way. Zoning rules apply either way.

Who pays for a fence between neighbors?

There is no automatic split. Many neighbors agree to share the cost of a fence on the line. Put the agreement in writing.

Related reading

• Tree Removal in Puyallup: Cost and Rules
• Deck Builders in Puyallup: Costs, Permits, and Hiring
• Do I Need a Permit to Remodel in Puyallup?
• What Increases Home Value in Puyallup?

Equal Housing Opportunity. Austin Robertson, License # 21036843, Austin Robertson and Allena Robertson Real Estate Brokers, regulated by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). This article is general information only. It is not legal, tax, insurance, lending, or construction advice, and it is not an appraisal of any property. Costs, rates, and rules change. Confirm the details with the sources linked above before you act.