Fence and Retaining Wall Permit in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
VerifiedFences and retaining walls in Coeur d'Alene are regulated by height under both the Planning Department's zoning code and the locally-adopted IRC. Most residential fences up to 6 feet (rear/side) or 4 feet (front yard setback) require no building permit; taller fences and retaining walls over 4 feet (or supporting a surcharge) require a Building Permit.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- No building permit required for a fence 6 feet or less in height, per the locally-adopted IRC R105.2 exemption and the Planning Department's Citizen's Guide for Fencing
- Residential fences generally may not exceed 6 feet in the rear/side yards or 4 feet within the 20-foot front-yard setback (Municipal Code Title 17.06.810/17.06.815); corner lots must meet 'vision triangle' standards (40 feet along each roadway from the curb-line intersection, 3-foot height limit within the triangle)
- Fences exceeding these zoning height limits, or any fence over 6 feet, must conform to the currently adopted building code and requires a Building Permit
- Barbed or electrified fencing along any street, alley, highway, or road is prohibited unless approved by city council as not a public-safety hazard
- Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall), unless supporting a surcharge, are exempt from a building permit per the locally-adopted IRC R105.2
- Retaining walls over 4 feet, or any wall supporting a surcharge regardless of height, require a Building Permit and structural design
Required documents
- Required
Building Permit Application (for fences over 6 ft. or regulated retaining walls)
Standard Residential or Commercial Permit Application, submitted via building.cdaid.org or in person, for fences/walls exceeding the exempt thresholds
- Required
Site Plan
Showing fence/wall location, height, and dimensioned distance from property lines, per the City's Site Plan Requirement Checklist
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (same schedule as new construction) | $69.25 minimum (valuation up to $500-$1,700 tier), scaling per the City of Coeur d'Alene Building Permit Fee Schedule | City of Coeur d'Alene Building Permit Fee Schedule, revised 1/3/23; no dedicated fence/wall fee table is published — fences/walls requiring a permit are billed via the general valuation-based Building Permit Fee Schedule, consistent with the FAQ's definition of valuation covering all project types not otherwise itemized |
Review timeline
7–14 business days
Coeur d'Alene’s published plan-review target
Inspection process
- 1
Footing
Required for engineered retaining walls before backfill
- 2
Final
Completed fence/wall verified against approved plans
Tips
- Fences 6 feet or less need no building permit at all (Planning Department CC&R compliance is the applicant's own responsibility, not reviewed by the City).
- Corner-lot fences must respect the 40-foot 'vision triangle' at intersections, limited to 3 feet in height within that triangle.
- Any retaining wall over 4 feet, or one supporting a surcharge/slope regardless of height, requires a City building permit and structural design.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to build a fence in Coeur d'Alene?
- No, if the fence is 6 feet or less in height (and complies with the 4-foot front-yard-setback limit and any corner-lot vision-triangle requirements). Fences over these thresholds require a building permit and must conform to the currently adopted building code. Source: City of Coeur d'Alene Planning Department, Citizen's Guide for Fencing, and Building Services FAQ.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
- City of Coeur d'Alene Building Services Department — official building department
- Citizen's Guide for Fencing (PDF) | City of Coeur d'Alene Planning Department
- Building Services FAQ | City of Coeur d'Alene
- Municipal Code 17.06.810 General Fencing Provisions | American Legal Publishing
- Municipal Code 17.06.815 Fencing Regulations | American Legal Publishing
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Coeur d'Alene building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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