Most fence problems — leaning posts, sagging gates, neighbor disputes, regret over the style — trace back to decisions that were rushed or skipped before installation day. This is the checklist we wish every Tacoma homeowner had before signing a contract with any fence company.
Work through all ten items below before you schedule installation. It will save you money, time, and stress.
1. Define the Fence's Primary Purpose
Before materials, before styles, before budget — decide what the fence is actually for. Privacy from a neighbor? Containing a dog? Marking a property line? Noise reduction from a busy road? Most yards have a primary purpose and a secondary one, but trying to optimize for all four usually results in compromises across the board.
Write it down in one sentence: "This fence exists to [privacy/security/pet/boundary] first, and [secondary] second." Every later decision ladders back to that sentence.
2. Verify Your Property Lines
This is the single most-skipped step — and the most expensive one to get wrong. Building a fence even a few inches onto your neighbor's property can result in forced removal, legal disputes, and a permanently damaged relationship with the people next door.
How to confirm:
- Pull your plat map or property deed from Pierce County records
- Look for existing survey markers at your property corners
- For anything ambiguous, hire a licensed land surveyor — this is the only 100% reliable method
Many homeowners choose to install the fence a few inches inside their property line to avoid future conflict and allow maintenance access.
3. Confirm Permit Requirements
Most residential fences in Tacoma and unincorporated Pierce County don't need a permit — but some do. A permit is typically required for fences over 6 feet tall, corner lot installations, pool enclosures, and anything that doubles as a retaining wall. See our detailed Tacoma fence permit guide for the specifics.
If you're in an incorporated city (Lakewood, Puyallup, Federal Way, Auburn), call the city planning department directly — rules vary by jurisdiction.
4. Review HOA Rules
If you live in a community with an HOA, your CC&Rs will usually be stricter than city code. Common HOA restrictions include material type, color, height, and setback from the front of the house. Skipping this step is one of the fastest ways to end up with a fence you have to remove. Our HOA fence rules guide walks through the approval process.
5. Talk to Your Neighbors
Even when you're fully compliant, it's worth a 10-minute conversation with neighbors who share a boundary. Sometimes they'll split the cost. Always they appreciate the heads-up. And occasionally you'll learn something (like a buried irrigation line) that changes your install plan.
6. Choose Your Material
Once purpose and rules are locked, material choice becomes much simpler. Don't overthink this — the options for a residential PNW fence usually come down to cedar, vinyl, chain link, or ornamental metal. Use our fence material guide to compare lifetime cost and maintenance for each.
7. Decide on Height and Design
Height should match purpose. A 6-foot privacy fence for the backyard and a 4-foot picket for the front is a common Tacoma combination. Remember that taller fences experience more wind load and put more stress on posts, so a 7- or 8-foot fence isn't just taller — it's structurally more demanding.
8. Plan Gates Before Ordering Materials
Gates are the #1 maintenance problem on fences, and they're almost always an afterthought during planning. Decide: how many gates, where they go, how wide they need to be (3 ft for walk-through, 10–12 ft for mowers/vehicles), which way they swing, and what hardware they use. Gate posts should be oversized and set deeper than line posts.
9. Budget for the Full Project, Not Just the Fence
A "fence estimate" often leaves out things that add real money. When you're budgeting, include:
- Old fence demolition and haul-off
- Gate hardware (hinges, latches, drop rods, locks)
- Stump grinding or brush clearing
- Slope surcharge for hilly yards
- Permit fees, if applicable
- Stain or sealer, if you're going with wood
Our Tacoma fence cost guide breaks down realistic 2026 pricing per linear foot by material.
10. Vet Your Contractor Before Signing
Any contractor you hire in Washington must be L&I registered, bonded, and insured. Ask for references, check recent reviews, and make sure the written estimate itemizes materials, labor, gates, hardware, and removal. A vague "per-foot" number is a red flag.
Ready to Start?
If you've worked through the checklist and you're ready for a real quote, we're happy to walk your property and give you straight pricing — no pressure, no vague numbers. Request a free Tacoma fence quote and we'll help you turn the checklist into a project.
