{"title":"Burnaby fence rules: permits and height limits","question":"Do I need a permit to build a fence, and how high can it be?","slug":"fence-rules","place":{"path":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Burnaby","url":"https://www.burnaby.ca"},"short_answer":"In Burnaby a fence does not need a building permit but must meet the Zoning Bylaw 2026. The limit is 1.07 m in a required front yard and, behind it, 1.8 m in residential, commercial and park districts. Retaining walls over 1.2 m need a building permit.","aliases":["fence height burnaby","backyard fence rules burnaby","retaining wall permit burnaby","front yard fence height"],"cost":"No building permit is needed for a fence, so there is no permit fee.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Building Department","value":"604-294-7130"},{"type":"email","label":"Planning (zoning questions)","value":"planning@burnaby.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Fences and Retaining Walls Informational Guide (PDF, 2022)","url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2021-08/Fences-and-Retaining-Walls-Informational-Guide.pdf"},{"title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026","url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/our-city/bylaws/zoning-bylaw"},{"title":"Part 4 General Regulations (Zoning Bylaw 2026, PDF)","url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-06/Part-4-General-Regulations.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Burnaby building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/building-permit/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Burnaby permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Burnaby zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/richmond","name":"Richmond","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vancouver","name":"Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/fence-rules/"}],"topic":{"title":"Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules/"},"facts":{"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"No building permit for fences. A building permit is needed for retaining walls over 1.2 m, terraced groups where any wall is over 1.2 m, walls terraced steeper than 1 to 1, or where the Building Inspector sees site or safety concerns.","short":"No building permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2021-08/Fences-and-Retaining-Walls-Informational-Guide.pdf","title":"Fences and Retaining Walls Informational Guide (PDF), City of Burnaby","section":"Fences and Retaining Walls guide, \"Permit and Inspection\"","quotes":["Building Permits are not required for the construction of fences and screening walls.","Building Permits are required for the construction of all retaining walls in all districts that are:","greater than 1.2 m (3.94 ft.) in height; or"]},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13658CC.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 2016, No. 13658 (consolidated PDF), City of Burnaby","section":"s. 3 definition of structure; s. 11(1)(c)","quotes":["but specifically excludes paving, fences, retaining walls other than those","that is greater than 1.2 m (3.94 ft.) in height; or"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_front":{"label":"Height, front yard","value":"1.07 m in a required front yard in all zoning districts, except enclosures for outdoor play areas (up to 1.8 m) and required screening.","short":"1.07 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-06/Part-4-General-Regulations.pdf","title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 4 General Regulations (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 4, s. 4.5(2)(a)","quotes":["fences may not exceed 1.07 m in height when located within a required","front yard, with the exception of:","enclosures for outdoor play areas, which may not exceed 1.8 m in height; or"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_side_rear":{"label":"Height, side and rear yards","value":"Anywhere to the rear of the required front yard: 1.8 m in R, C and P districts; 2.4 m in E, I and A districts. In E and I districts, fences outside required yards may reach the principal building height limit.","short":"1.8 m in R, C, P districts","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-06/Part-4-General-Regulations.pdf","title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 4 General Regulations (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 4, s. 4.5(2)(b)-(c)","quotes":["Anywhere on a lot to the rear of a required front yard, fences may not exceed:","1.8 m in height in the R, C, and P Districts; and","2.4 m in height in the E, I, and A Districts."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"corner_lots":{"label":"Corner lots and sightlines","value":"Vision clearance applies to all fences. At a lane-to-lane corner nothing (fence, wall, hedge, tree) is allowed within 3.0 m of the corner. At a lane corner (6.0 m) or street-to-street corner (9.0 m), structures and fences may not exceed 1.07 m, and plants may not block vision.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-06/Part-4-General-Regulations.pdf","title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 4 General Regulations (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 4, s. 1.5 and s. 4.5(1)","quotes":["All fences shall be subject to the vision clearance requirements in Section 1.5.","No above-grade building, structure, landscape feature,","hedge, tree, or other vegetation, including fences or","retaining walls, are permitted.","than 1.07 m, and no hedge, shrub, tree, or other"]},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2021-08/Fences-and-Retaining-Walls-Informational-Guide.pdf","title":"Fences and Retaining Walls Informational Guide (PDF), City of Burnaby","section":"Fences and Retaining Walls guide, \"Clearance at Intersections\"","quotes":["No higher than 1 m (3.51 ft.) within 9.0 m (29.53 ft.) of the point of intersection of the property lines at any street/street corner."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The 2022 City fences guide says 1 m (not 1.07 m) at street and lane corners; the current Zoning Bylaw 2026 table says 1.07 m. The bylaw is followed. The bylaw table's layout is a merged cell, so the 1.07 m limit is read as applying at both the 6.0 m and 9.0 m rows."},"other_rules":{"label":"Other rules","value":"Height is measured from average grade within 0.9 m of both sides of the fence. Barbed and razor wire are banned except in E and I districts. A fence on a retaining wall must look different from the wall. Retaining walls max 1.2 m (a variance or like-for-like replacement can differ). Pool enclosures min 1.5 m high.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-06/Part-4-General-Regulations.pdf","title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 4 General Regulations (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 4, s. 4.5(4)-(6), 4.6(1)","quotes":["Barbed wire, razor wire, or similar materials with sharp projections shall not be used in the construction","The height of a fence shall be determined by measurement from average grade within 0.9 m of both","from that used in the construction of the retaining wall, and in a manner that is visually dissimilar to the","retaining walls shall not exceed 1.2 m in height, as measured at any point along","except within the E and I Districts or for correctional institutions permitted in the P2 District.","the height may be varied through a development variance permit where a retaining wall has"]},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2021-08/Fences-and-Retaining-Walls-Informational-Guide.pdf","title":"Fences and Retaining Walls Informational Guide (PDF), City of Burnaby","section":"Fences and Retaining Walls guide, \"Swimming Pool Barriers\"","quotes":["Burnaby's Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw requires a minimum 1.5 m (5 ft) high non-climbable","enclosure to limit access to the pool area."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 (No. 14815), Part 4: s. 4.5 Fences, s. 4.6 Retaining Walls, s. 1.5 Clearance at Intersections. Retaining wall permits: Building Bylaw 2016 (No. 13658). Pool fences: Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw 2000 (No. 11119).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-07/Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-Without-Schedules.pdf","title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 consolidated (PDF)","section":"title page and Part 4","quotes":["ZONING BYLAW BYLAW NO. 14815","4.5 Fences","1.5 Clearance at Intersections"]},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/11000/11119.pdf","title":"Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw 2000, No. 11119 (PDF), City of Burnaby","section":"s. 4(a)","quotes":["Every swimming pool shall be completely enclosed by a sturdy non-climbable barrier"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nFence heights are set by Part 4, section 4.5 of the [Zoning Bylaw 2026 (No. 14815)](https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-06/Part-4-General-Regulations.pdf), in force since July 1, 2026. The City's fence guide says building permits are not required for fences and screening walls. Retaining walls are different.\n\n- **Required front yard:** 1.07 m in all zoning districts, except enclosures for outdoor play areas (up to 1.8 m) and required screening.\n- **Behind the required front yard:** 1.8 m in R, C and P districts; 2.4 m in E, I and A districts.\n- **Gates and arbors** serving as an entrance may be up to 2.6 m high and 1.8 m wide.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your property lines. A fence on City land, a right-of-way or an easement is prohibited.\n2. Keep to the height limits above. Height is measured from average grade within 0.9 m of both sides of the fence.\n3. Check the corner rules below if you are on a corner lot.\n4. For a retaining wall over 1.2 m, apply for a building permit.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Corner lots: at a lane-to-lane corner nothing (fence, wall, hedge, tree) may be within 3.0 m of the corner. At a lane corner (6.0 m) or street-to-street corner (9.0 m), structures and fences may not exceed 1.07 m, and plants may not block vision. The City's 2022 fence guide says 1 m instead; the bylaw is newer, so confirm with Planning.\n- Barbed and razor wire are banned except in E and I districts.\n- A fence on a retaining wall must look different from the wall.\n- Retaining walls are capped at 1.2 m, with exceptions such as a development variance permit or like-for-like replacement. A building permit is also needed for terraced groups where any wall is over 1.2 m, walls terraced steeper than 1 to 1, or where the Building Inspector sees site or safety concerns.\n- Pool enclosures must be at least 1.5 m high under the [Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw (No. 11119)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/11000/11119.pdf).\n- Open mesh and chain link fences on cemeteries, parks, schools and in E, I or P districts may be up to 3.5 m.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-06/Part-4-General-Regulations.pdf","title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 4 General Regulations (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2026-07/Zoning-Bylaw-Consolidated-Without-Schedules.pdf","title":"Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 consolidated (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2021-08/Fences-and-Retaining-Walls-Informational-Guide.pdf","title":"Fences and Retaining Walls Informational Guide (PDF), City of Burnaby","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13658CC.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 2016, No. 13658 (consolidated PDF), City of Burnaby","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/11000/11119.pdf","title":"Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw 2000, No. 11119 (PDF), City of Burnaby","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/fence-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/fence-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/fence-rules.json"}}