Kim -wire mesh over 6 2-20-08.pdfFebruary 19, 2008
Jae & Joan Kim
8517 1991h Pl SW
Edmonds, WA. 98026
Case: # ZE-08-052 (COD20080011)
Location: 8616 242"d St. S.W., Edmonds, WA. 98026
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Kim,
The City has received a complaint regarding your fence height (being over 6 feet) and that the metal mesh trellis covers
more than 25% of the fence property line.
Please find enclosed the City of Edmonds handout on fences. The following extracted code sections in the Edmonds
Community Development Code (ECDC) would apply to the fence (bold added):
ECDC 17.30.000 General.
A. A fence permit shall be required for any fence over three feet in height which is also within 10 feet of any street
right-of-way or access easement or within 30 feet of any corner. Height shall be measured from the top of the fence to
the lowest original grade.
B. A fence permit shall be required for any fence within a critical area or its buffer.
C. Unless a variance is first obtained, no fence shall be more than six feet in height as measured from the top of
the fence to the lowest original grade.
D. When a retaining wall three feet in height or greater is contiguous to and below a proposed fence, the proposed
fence may be constructed for the purposes of safety not greater than four feet above the top of the retaining wall or the
finished grade, whichever is less, without the necessity for a variance. [Ord. 3491 § 3, 2004; Ord. 2954 § 1, 1993; Ord.
2772 § 1, 1990].
C. In addition to the height limits imposed by ECDC 17.30.000(C), the following additions to a fence may be
constructed without a variance:
1. A trellis up to two additional feet in height to a maximum of eight feet may be added as a decorative element to a
fence so long as the combined length of the trellis(es) constructed facing a property line do not exceed 25 percent of
the total length of that property line.
2. A trellis up to two additional feet in height to a maximum of eight feet may be added as a decorative element to a
fence facing a street, alley or access easement so long as the trellis remains free of any plantings, vegetation or other
visual obstruction.
Corrective options:
• Remove the wire mesh and mesh wood frame or;
• Reduce the wire mesh frame to not exceed 8 feet in total fence height and not exceed a 25% span of the
property line or;
• Make a complete application for a variance. Variances are difficult to obtain and there is no guarantee a
variance can be obtained if an application is submitted.
Please review the handout and code as it relates to the overall height of your fence. Please call me at your earliest
convenience by February 29, 2008 to review the option you will pursue. The correction will need to take place prior to
March 20, 2008. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and assistance.
Sincerely,
Mike Thies
Code Enforcement Inspector
thies @ci.edmonds.wa.us