Norwood Village, Bellevue WA
Norwood Village Fence Guide: HOA Architectural Review in Bellevue
A plain-English guide to planning a fence in Norwood Village, the mid-century Bellevue community near SE 23rd Place and Woodridge. It sticks to what Norwood Village Association and the City of Bellevue publish, and tells you where to ask for the rest.
SeattleFence is an independent contractor. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an approved vendor of Norwood Village Association. Last checked against public sources on November 6, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the ACC.
What the association is
Norwood Village Association describes a community of about 90 homes in Bellevue, established in the late 1940s by returning WWII veterans. Its history page places the original tract on Woodridge hill between the Factoria Interchange and the Wilburton trestle.
The Dues, Bylaws & Declarations page explains that the Declaration of Restrictions is recorded with King County and is part of the deed for every property in Lower and Upper (Division Number 2) Norwood Village. Bellevue Parks lists Norwood Village Neighborhood Park at 12309 SE 23rd Place.
What needs ACC review
Here is what Norwood Village publishes. Where a detail is not listed, ask the ACC and read your recorded Declaration.
| Project | ACC approval | Where it says so |
|---|---|---|
| Any fence (erect, place, or alter) | ACC written approval required first | Architecture / Declaration |
| Fence or shed 5' or taller | Full fence/shed submission packet | Submission Requirements |
| Plans vs City of Bellevue filing | Must be identical | Submission Requirements |
| Review timing | Decision within 60 days of complete packet; submit ≥7 days before ACC meeting | Submission Requirements |
| Specific height / material list | Not a published approved-style list; ACC judges materials, harmony, and location | Architecture page |
Fence styles to consider
Norwood Village does not publish an approved-style list that we could find. The table below is general planning advice from SeattleFence, not an HOA rule, and the ACC decides what it accepts. Vinyl is not featured here.
| Style | Look | Privacy | Planning note (SeattleFence suggestion) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picture frame cedar | Boards framed by a top rail and side trim | High | A finished look from both sides, useful where neighbors or the park see the fence. Describe materials and color in the ACC packet. |
| Solid cedar privacy | Vertical cedar boards, clean and simple | High | A common backyard choice. Bellevue limits front-setback fences to 4 ft 6 in under LUC 20.20.400. |
| Horizontal cedar | Horizontal boards for a contemporary line | High | Suits remodeled homes. Include board size and stain color in your ACC request. |
| Wire and wood (hogwire) | Wood frame with open wire panels | Low | Keeps an open feel on park- or daylight-facing edges. Confirm ACC acceptance before ordering. |
Photos show SeattleFence projects elsewhere in the area and are not images of any Norwood Village home or fence.
Approval and permit steps
Plan on two separate checks: the Norwood Village ACC and the City of Bellevue. SeattleFence does not issue either one.
Read your Declaration and ACC packet
Review the recorded Declaration of Restrictions for Lower or Upper Norwood Village and the current ACC submission requirements on norwood-village.com.
Prepare fence plans that match Bellevue
The ACC requires plans identical to those submitted (or to be submitted) to the City of Bellevue. Include location, height, materials, color, and a completion timeline.
Email a complete ACC submission
Send the packet to NorwoodVillageACC@gmail.com at least 7 days before a scheduled ACC meeting. For fences 5' or taller, include the parcel map, neighbor visibility list, and public-visibility declaration listed on the association's submission page.
Wait for the written ACC decision
The ACC states it will issue a formal decision within 60 days of receiving a complete submission. Do not start work until you have written approval.
Confirm Bellevue height and permit rules
Check LUC 20.20.400 for front-setback height limits and whether a Building Permit is triggered.
Build as approved and keep records
Build the fence as approved. The association notes it reviews City records for alignment with ACC-approved plans, so keep approvals with your house records.
Bellevue's fence rules
Bellevue Land Use Code 20.20.400 generally limits fences within a required front setback to four feet, six inches, with limited exceptions for privacy, security, screening, or noise attenuation when other criteria are met. Any fence that exceeds eight feet in height requires a Building Permit and must conform to the International Building Code as adopted by Bellevue.
Height is measured from finished grade at the exterior side of the fence. The City also publishes a fences zoning page and a work-requiring-permits FAQ. Confirm the rules for your exact address before you build.
Norwood Village fence-guide questions
Is Norwood Village an HOA?
Yes. Norwood Village Association describes a community of about 90 homes in Bellevue with a Declaration of Restrictions recorded with King County for Lower and Upper (Division Number 2) Norwood Village. SeattleFence is not affiliated with the association.
Do I need ACC approval to build a fence?
Yes. The association's Architecture page quotes the Declaration: no building, fence, or other structure may be erected, placed, or altered until construction plans, exact location, and a completion timeline have been fully approved by the Architectural Control Committee. Contact the ACC and read your recorded restrictions before you order materials.
What does Norwood Village require in a fence submission?
For fence or shed projects 5 feet or greater in height, the association's Submission Requirements page asks for a project timeline; dimensions plus materials and paint color; a parcel map with adjacent properties and the proposed structure marked; a list of neighbors who will see the alteration; and a declaration about visibility from a public road, right-of-way, or HOA common area. Documented neighbor support can help expedite decisions. Confirm the current packet with the ACC.
Does Bellevue require a permit for a fence in Norwood Village?
Bellevue Land Use Code 20.20.400 limits fences in a required front setback to four feet, six inches (with limited exceptions), and any fence that exceeds eight feet in height requires a Building Permit. Confirm current City of Bellevue rules for your address. City permission and ACC approval are separate.
Can SeattleFence get my fence approved?
No. Only the Norwood Village Architectural Control Committee can approve a fence under the Declaration. SeattleFence can provide a written scope, a site sketch, and material and height details to include with your ACC submission.
Get a quote for your Norwood Village lot
Tell us the address, approximate length, the style you have in mind, and any trees or slopes along the fence line. We will price the fence and give you a written scope and sketch to include with your ACC request.
Get Your Free Norwood Village Fence Quote
Get In Touch
Fill out the form and we'll get back to you shortly.
Prefer to talk? Call (253) 766-5854
Sources
Every association and city claim on this page comes from one of these public documents. Rules change. Read the current HOA documents and your recorded covenants, and confirm city rules before you build.
- Norwood Village Association — Home
Community of about 90 homes in Bellevue; established in the late 1940s by returning WWII veterans; history rooted on Woodridge hill between the Factoria Interchange and the Wilburton trestle; park, courts, pool, and summer events.
- Norwood Village — Architecture / Declaration excerpts
ACC has enforced standards for decades; Declaration requires ACC approval before any building, fence, or other structure is erected, placed, or altered, based on materials/workmanship, harmony with existing structures, and location relative to topography, lot boundaries, and streets; single-family lot use; contact NorwoodVillageACC@gmail.com.
- Norwood Village — ACC Submission Requirements
All projects need ACC approval before work starts; email submissions to NorwoodVillageACC@gmail.com; submit at least 7 days before a scheduled ACC meeting; formal decision within 60 days of a complete submission; plans must match City of Bellevue submissions; fence/shed approvals for 5' or greater require timeline, dimensions/materials/color, parcel map, neighbor visibility list, and public-visibility declaration; neighbor support can expedite decisions.
- Norwood Village — Dues, Bylaws & Declarations
Declaration of Restrictions is recorded with King County and part of the deed for Lower and Upper (Division Number 2) Norwood Village; last revised 01/1990; Bylaws last revised 01/2009.
- Norwood Village — ACC Meetings
ACC meets monthly to review submissions including new construction, exterior remodels, garden sheds, and fences.
- City of Bellevue — Norwood Village Neighborhood Park
Park at 12309 SE 23rd Place, Bellevue, WA 98005; 1.65 acres with tennis/pickleball, playground, picnic area, and basketball/multi-purpose court.
- Bellevue Land Use Code 20.20.400 — Fences
Front-setback fence height generally limited to 4 feet 6 inches with limited exceptions; fences over 8 feet require a Building Permit; height measured from finished grade at the exterior side; barbed wire and electric fence limits.
- City of Bellevue — Fences zoning page
Official Bellevue Development Services page summarizing fence zoning requirements.
- City of Bellevue — Work requiring permits FAQ
Confirms when Bellevue building permits are required for construction work.