How Much Does a Fence Cost in Seattle? 2026 Price Guide

Cedar privacy fence: the Seattle standard

Western red cedar remains the default fence in Western Washington, and installed prices in 2026 generally run from about $25 per linear foot for a straightforward, standard-grade 6-foot privacy fence on flat ground up to $60 or more per linear foot for premium clear cedar, horizontal designs or difficult sites. That spread is real: material grade, post type and labor rates (Seattle construction labor runs well above the national average) all push the per-foot number around. For budgeting, a small 75-foot run might land around $2,000–$4,500, a typical 150-foot backyard perimeter roughly $4,000–$9,000, and a large 300-foot property line $8,000–$18,000.

How other materials compare per linear foot

Chain link is the budget option at roughly $18–$24 per linear foot installed, and it still makes sense for pet runs and side yards. Pressure-treated pine runs about $20–$26. Vinyl lands around $32–$40 and never needs paint. Composite fencing runs about $42–$52, and ornamental aluminum or steel about $35–$60 depending on style. If a driveway gate is part of the plan, see our automatic gate services — motorized gates are priced separately from the fence line.

What moves the price up or down

Four things explain most of the difference between two fence quotes. First, tearing out and hauling away an old fence adds about $3 per linear foot. Second, slope: stepped or racked panels on a grade typically add 5–15% to the project. Third, gates — a standard walk gate adds roughly $150–$450 each, and custom or extra-wide gates more. Fourth, the posts and footings: steel posts set in concrete cost more up front than wood but are the single best defense against the leaning, rotted-at-the-ground fence you see all over older Seattle neighborhoods. Rocky soil, tree roots and old concrete footings along the line also add dig time.

Do you need a fence permit in Seattle or on the Eastside?

Usually not for the fence itself. Seattle allows fences up to 8 feet without a building permit as long as any masonry or concrete portion stays at or below 6 feet and the property is not in a flood zone or environmentally critical area — though residential zoning generally limits fences to 6 feet along side and rear lot lines and about 4 feet in front setbacks. Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond and most Eastside cities have similar height rules. The bigger legal question is the property line itself: confirm it before posts go in. Our Washington permit guide covers when yard structures do need permits — and anything structural like a retaining wall over 4 feet does.

Cedar or composite for Western Washington rain?

Cedar's natural oils resist rot, and a well-built cedar fence lasts 15–25 years here — if it is cleaned and resealed every few years. Composite costs roughly 60–80% more up front but shrugs off our nine wet months with almost no maintenance, much like the trade-off we see with deck materials. Whichever you choose, longevity in this climate comes down to build details: footings that drain, posts that do not sit in standing water, and a sacrificial rot board at the bottom of the pickets that can be swapped out in ten years instead of the whole fence.

When to build — and how to get a real number

Fence crews book out fastest from late spring through summer; fall and winter installs are often easier to schedule, and ground conditions in the Puget Sound lowlands rarely stop a build (our best-time-to-remodel guide covers the seasonal calendar for outdoor work). The only accurate fence price is a measured one: lot lines, grade, soil, access and gate count all matter. Blue Lake Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor (#BLUELLC760C3) building fences, gazebos and complete backyards across Seattle, Bellevue and the Eastside. Contact us for a free on-site measurement and a fixed, itemized quote.