Burns Lake fence rules: permits and height limits

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

Burns Lake, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Burns Lake the Building Bylaw does not require a building permit for a fence. The Zoning Bylaw limits height to 1.2 m in the front area and 2.0 m elsewhere on the lot, with higher limits in some zones.

Key facts

Permit	The Building Bylaw's definition of 'structure' excludes fences, so that bylaw does not require a building permit for a fence. Zoning height limits still apply.Building Bylaw No. 943, 2013 (Word document), s. 2 Definitions (structure) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording specifically excluding all other retaining structures, landscaping , fences and paving.
Height, front yard	1.2 m between the front lot line and the building or use on the lot, for fences other than required screening (subject to the corner sight-triangle rule in s. 3.16).Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2008, consolidated to April 2026, s. 3.13.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording (a) 1.2 m in height between the front lot line and the building or use on the lot; and In all zones fences other than required screening, subject to Section 3.16, must not
Height, side and rear yards	2.0 m elsewhere on the lot (4.0 m in industrial zones), for fences other than required screening. Open mesh or chain-link fences in commercial, industrial or institutional zones may go to 4.0 m. Subject to the sight-triangle rule in s. 3.16.Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2008, consolidated to April 2026, s. 3.13.3-3.13.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording (b) 2.0 m in height elsewhere on the lot except for industrial zones in which the height open mesh or chain link type fences may be erected in a commercial, industrial or institutional zone to a maximum height of In all zones fences other than required screening, subject to Section 3.16, must not
Corner lots and sightlines	On a parcel abutting a highway intersection, no structures or vegetation over 0.6 m high are allowed in the sight triangle formed by the corner lot lines and a line joining points 6.0 m along each lot line from the corner.Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2008, consolidated to April 2026, s. 3.16.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording exceeding 0.6 m in height shall be permitted within the sight triangle formed by the distance of 6.0m from their points of intersection
Other rules	Height is measured from ground level 1 m from both sides of the fence. Where a retaining wall is on a property line, height is measured from the surface of the ground it supports at average grade. Barbed wire, electric fences and pool fences are not addressed.Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2008, consolidated to April 2026, s. 3.13.1-3.13.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording The height of a fence, wall or hedge will be measured from the ground level 1 m from the height measurement must be determined from the surface of the ground which the retaining wall supports at the average grade level.
Bylaw	Village of Burns Lake Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2008 (consolidated up to April 2026), s. 3.13 (Fence Heights) and s. 3.16 (Vision Clearance at Intersections)Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2008, consolidated to April 2026, s. 3.13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 3.13 Fence Heights 3.16 Vision Clearance at Intersections

How it works

The Village's Building Bylaw No. 943 defines "structure" so that it excludes fences, so it does not require a building permit for one. Height limits in the Zoning Bylaw No. 880 still apply.

Steps

Check the height limits below against your plan, for fences that are not required screening.
If the fence is near a street corner, check the sight-triangle rule.
Call Village planning at 250-692-7587 or planning@burnslake.ca if you are unsure, or if the fence is required screening.

Good to know

Front area (between the front lot line and the building or use): 1.2 m.
Elsewhere on the lot: 2.0 m, or 4.0 m in industrial zones. Open mesh or chain-link fences in commercial, industrial or institutional zones may go to 4.0 m.
Height is measured from ground level 1 m from both sides of the fence. If a retaining wall is on a property line, it is measured from the surface of the ground the wall supports, at average grade.
On a corner lot at a highway intersection, no structure or vegetation over 0.6 m high is allowed in the sight triangle. That triangle is formed by the corner lot lines and a line joining points 6.0 m along each lot line from the corner.
The Zoning Bylaw does not address barbed wire, electric fences or pool fences. Ask Village planning.