# RCW 16.60.010: RCW 16.60.010: Lawful fence defined

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S010

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 16.60.010
- **Heading:** RCW 16.60.010: Lawful fence defined
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 010

## Text

A lawful fence shall be of at least four barbed, horizontal, well-stretched wires, spaced so that the top wire is forty-eight inches, plus or minus four inches, above the ground and the other wires at intervals below the top wire of twelve, twenty-two, and thirty-two inches. These wires shall be securely fastened to substantial posts set firmly in the ground as nearly equidistant as possible, but not more than twenty-four feet apart. If the posts are set more than sixteen feet apart, the wires shall be supported by stays placed no more than eight feet from each other or from the posts.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 16.60.010 RCW 16.60.010: Lawful fence defined.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S010.md)
- [RCW 16.60.011 RCW 16.60.011: Other lawful fences.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S011.md)
- [RCW 16.60.015 RCW 16.60.015: Liability for damages—Restraint—Notice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S015.md)
- [RCW 16.60.020 RCW 16.60.020: Partition fence—Reimbursement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S020.md)
- [RCW 16.60.030 RCW 16.60.030: Partition fence—Erection—Notice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S030.md)
- [RCW 16.60.040 RCW 16.60.040: Partition fence—Failure to build—Recovery of half of cost.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S040.md)
- [RCW 16.60.050 RCW 16.60.050: Partition fence—Hog fencing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S050.md)
- [RCW 16.60.055 RCW 16.60.055: Fence on the land of another by mistake—Removal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S055.md)
- [RCW 16.60.060 RCW 16.60.060: Partition fence—Discontinuance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S060.md)
- [RCW 16.60.062 RCW 16.60.062: Assessing value of partition fence.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S062.md)
- [RCW 16.60.064 RCW 16.60.064: Impeachment of assessment—Damages.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S064.md)
- [RCW 16.60.075 RCW 16.60.075: Damages by breachy animals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S075.md)
- [RCW 16.60.076 RCW 16.60.076: Proof.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S076.md)
- [RCW 16.60.080 RCW 16.60.080: Temporary gate across highway.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S080.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T16_C60_S010. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.