HomeMy WebLinkAboutD246 PD Electric Fence Code Update PresentationElectric Security Alarm
Systems Code Update
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE–MARCH 9, 2026
ASHLEY WRAGGE, ASSISTANT PLANNER
RMC 4-4-040 and RMC 4-11-050
D-246
Background
House Bill 1688, Electric Security
Alarm Systems
Offers regulation when
jurisdictions have none
Renton regulates through
"electric fences" in RMC 4-4-
040,Fences, Hedges, and
Retaining Walls
Purview of the Special Fence Permit
Proposed Code Amendments
Terminology
Existing Code Proposed Code
Electric and barbed wire fences No change
No existing definition for electric security alarm
systems
Define, add definition under “E”
Proposed Code Amendments
Permissibility
Existing Code Proposed Code
Residential barbed wire and electric fences
may be permitted by a
special administrative fence permit for large
domestic animals
-Clarify animal categories
-Residential barbed wire and electric
fences remain permissible through a
special administrative fence permit
Industrial barbed wire and electric fences are
outright permitted
No change
Commercial barbed wire and electric fences
may be permitted by a special administrative
fence permit
Permissible through a variance
Barbed wire fences in commercial and
industrial zones may only be used on top of
fences at least six feet (6’) tall
No change
No existing code for electric security alarm
systems
Permissible through a variance
Proposed Code Amendments
Requirements
Existing Code Proposed Code
Electric fences in commercial and industrial
zones must comply with the following:
-Include warning signs
-Be installed in accordance
with the manufacturer’s standards and
the National Electric Code
No significant changes
No existing code for electric security alarm
systems
-Electric security alarm systems in commercial and
industrial zones must comply with the following:
-Include warning signs
-Be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s
standards and the National Electric Code
-Comply with applicable voltage limits
-Not be more than two feet taller than the associated
fence, and be no more than ten feet (10’) tall
-Include a device that allows first responders to deactivate
the system
-Must apply for a building permit for fences over six feet tall
Proposed Code Amendments
Organization
Existing Code Proposed Code
Variances and special administrative fence
permit applicability are located in the same
subsection
-Refer variances to the variance section of
code, RMC 4-9-250
-Add the special administrative fence
permit parameters to the subsection for
this permit type within the applicability
statement
Electric Security Alarm Systems Code
Update
Staff Recommendations
Staff recommends updating RMC 4-4-040 and 4-11-050 to incorporate electric
security alarm systems regulations found in House Bill 1688, amending the
scope of the special fence permit, and reorganizing the applicability of the
special fence permit and variances.