GovHandbook

Barriere fence rules: permits and height limits

Do I need a permit to build a fence in Barriere, and how high can it be?

Barriere, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Barriere no separate fence permit is described. Under Zoning Bylaw No. 111, residential fences can be up to 1 m high in the front yard and 2 m in side and rear yards. Retaining walls over 1.2 m need a building permit.

Key facts

PermitNo separate fence permit is described. The Building Regulations Bylaw's definition of 'structure' leaves out landscaping, fences, paving and retaining structures under 1.2 m (4 ft). Retaining walls with a grade difference over 1.2 m are covered by the bylaw.Building Regulations Bylaw No. 128, s. 2.18 and s. 1.3.1.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
but specifically excludes landscaping, fences,
retaining structures less than 1.2 m (4 ft) in height.
the design and construction of retaining walls where the difference in finish grade elevation is greater than
Height, front yard1 metre (front yard, residential zones).Zoning Bylaw No. 111 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 258), s. 3.12(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Maximum fence heights in residential zones, shall be:
1 metre within the front yard;
Height, side and rear yards2 metres in side and rear yards. A fence along a side lot line may step up from 1 metre to 2 metres, reaching the full 2 metres at the minimum front yard requirement for the zone.Zoning Bylaw No. 111 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 258), s. 3.12(a) and (b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
2 metres in side and rear yards.
may be stepped in equal size steps, from 1 metre to 2 metres, attaining the
Corner lots and sightlinesNo obstruction to the line of vision above 0.8 metres from the established grade of the highway, within the area bounded by the centre lines of intersecting highways and a line joining points 24 metres from their intersection along each centre line.Zoning Bylaw No. 111 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 258), s. 3.11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
There shall be no obstruction to the line of vision in any zone above the height of 0.8 metres
a line joining a point on each of the centre lines 24 metres from
Other rulesFences and decorative walls are permitted in any zone, subject to the zoning bylaw's siting and height rules. Retaining walls with a grade difference over 1.2 m (4 ft) fall under the Building Regulations Bylaw.Zoning Bylaw No. 111 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 258), s. 3.13(g) and Division One definitions; Building Regulations Bylaw No. 128, s. 1.3.1.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
decorative walls, fences, planting strips, walkways and other landscaping structures
subject to the siting and height regulations contained herein;
"Fence" means a barrier, constructed as an obstruction to passage or as a visual screen.
the design and construction of retaining walls where the difference in finish grade elevation is greater than
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 111, s. 3.12 (Fences) and s. 3.11 (Visibility at Intersections)Zoning Bylaw No. 111 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 258), ss. 3.11 and 3.12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
3.12 FENCES
3.11 VISIBILITY AT INTERSECTIONS

How it works

The District of Barriere's Zoning Bylaw No. 111 permits fences and decorative walls in any zone, subject to its siting and height rules. No separate fence permit is described. The Building Regulations Bylaw leaves fences and retaining structures under 1.2 m (4 ft) out of its definition of a structure.

In residential zones (section 3.12) a fence can be up to 1 metre high in the front yard and 2 metres high in side and rear yards. A fence along a side lot line may step up from 1 metre to 2 metres, reaching the full 2 metres at the minimum front yard requirement for the zone. The section sets no limits for other zones.

Steps

  1. Confirm your zone with the District Office (see the zoning-lookup answer).
  2. Keep the fence within the height limits above.
  3. Keep clear of the corner sight triangle if you are on a corner lot.
  4. If you are building a retaining wall with a grade difference over 1.2 m, get a building permit first.

Good to know

  • On corner lots, nothing may obstruct the line of vision above 0.8 metres from the grade of the road, within the area bounded by the centre lines of the two roads and a line joining points 24 metres from their intersection along each centre line. This covers fences, hedges and other structures in any zone.
  • Retaining walls with a grade difference over 1.2 m (4 ft) fall under the Building Regulations Bylaw No. 128.
  • The bylaws we read set no rules for barbed wire, electric or pool fences. Ask the District Office.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Sun Peaks · Clearwater · Kamloops · Sicamous · Cache Creek · Enderby

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 111 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 258) (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Building Regulations Bylaw No. 128 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.