{"title":"Campbell River 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/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","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 Campbell River","url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca"},"short_answer":"In Campbell River a fence on a single or two family residential lot needs no building permit. In residential zones a fence can be 1.2 m high within 5.0 m of the front lot line and 1.8 m elsewhere. Commercial, industrial and airport zones allow 2.43 m.","aliases":["fence height campbell river","fence bylaw campbell river","retaining wall permit campbell river"],"cost":"No building permit fee for a fence on a single or two family residential lot.","how_long":"Not applicable for a fence on a single or two family residential lot.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Planning questions","value":"planning@campbellriver.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-286-5757"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (section 4.17, PDF)","url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text"},{"title":"Interactive Zoning Map","url":"https://webmap.campbellriver.ca/Html5Viewer/Index.html?viewer=Realtor"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Campbell River building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Campbell River zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Campbell River permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sayward","name":"Sayward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/gold-river","name":"Gold River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/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 a fence, trellis or arbour on a parcel zoned for single or two family residential use. Retaining walls are separate: a wall 1.2 m or more high, or carrying extra loads, needs a permit.","short":"No building permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3899-building-bylaw-2023-consolidated-bylaw-3971-2024","title":"Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments)","section":"s. 4.3(b), (c)","quotes":["a fence, a trellis, an arbour, or other similar landscape structures on a parcel zoned for","less than 1.2 metres in height and is not intended to support"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_front":{"label":"Height, front yard","value":"1.2 m within 5.0 m of the front lot line, in residential zones and for residential uses in rural zones.","short":"1.2 m within 5.0 m of front lot line","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)","section":"s. 4.17(c)","quotes":["the maximum height of a fence is 1.8 m, but within 5.0 m of the front lot line the maximum","height is 1.2 m."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_side_rear":{"label":"Height, side and rear yards","value":"1.8 m in residential zones and for residential uses in rural zones. In commercial, industrial and airport zones the limit is 2.43 m.","short":"1.8 m (2.43 m in commercial, industrial)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)","section":"s. 4.17(c), (f)","quotes":["In residential zones, and for residential uses in rural zones, the maximum","height of a fence is 1.8 m","In commercial, industrial and airport zones, the maximum height of a fence","may be 2.43m."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"corner_lots":{"label":"Corner lots and sightlines","value":"Fences must not interfere with sight lines at intersections. Near an intersection, no fence, tree, shrub or other structure over 0.46 m wide may stand in the triangle formed by the two lot lines and a line joining points 2.4 m from the corner, where it blocks the view between 1.0 m and 2.4 m above the road.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)","section":"s. 4.13(f)","quotes":["and where they do not interfere with sight lines at","intersections."]},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3543-public-nuisance-bylaw-2014-consolidated-bylaw-3589-2015","title":"Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 3543, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3964, 2024)","section":"s. 7.8","quotes":["place or permit to be placed or grow a tree, shrub, plant, fence or other structure with horizontal","dimension exceeding 0.46 metres (1.5 feet) within the triangular area formed by two","intersecting lot lines"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_rules":{"label":"Other rules","value":"Height is measured vertically from average grade to the top of the fence. No chain link fence along a front property line or facing a public right-of-way in the Central Business Area. A fence within 1.5 m of a retaining wall top must be no higher than 1.2 m and transparent or screened. Retaining elements max 1.5 m; taller walls terraced. Pool, spa or hot tub fence: at least 1.22 m high (Building Bylaw s. 17.5).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)","section":"s. 4.17","quotes":["Fence height is determined by measuring vertically from the average grade","No chain link fences are permitted along the front property line or fronting","a fence may be placed within 1.5 m of the top of either a","retaining wall or retaining element, where such a fence does not exceed 1.2","No retaining element on a residential or commercial parcel shall exceed a","Despite 4.17 c), a fence may be placed within 1.5 m of the top of either a","m in height, and is either:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3250, 2006, s. 4.17 (Fence, Retaining Walls and Screening)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)","section":"s. 4.17","quotes":["FENCE, RETAINING WALLS AND SCREENING"]}],"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\nThe City of Campbell River's [Building Bylaw](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3899-building-bylaw-2023-consolidated-bylaw-3971-2024) does not apply to a fence, trellis or arbour on a parcel zoned for single or two family residential use, so no building permit is needed. It does not say whether fences on other parcels need one; ask Development Services. Retaining walls are separate: one 1.2 m or more high, or carrying extra loads, needs a permit.\n\nHeight limits are in section 4.17 of the [Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text). Height is measured vertically from average grade to the top of the fence.\n\n- Residential zones, and residential uses in rural zones: 1.2 m within 5.0 m of the front lot line, and 1.8 m otherwise.\n- Commercial, industrial and airport zones: 2.43 m.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Corner lots: fences must not interfere with sight lines at intersections. Near an intersection, the [Public Nuisance Bylaw](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3543-public-nuisance-bylaw-2014-consolidated-bylaw-3589-2015) bars any fence, tree, shrub or structure over 0.46 m wide in the triangle formed by the two lot lines and a line joining points 2.4 m from the corner, where it blocks the view between 1.0 m and 2.4 m above the road.\n- No chain link fence along a front property line or facing a public right-of-way in the Central Business Area.\n- A fence within 1.5 m of the top of a retaining wall must be no higher than 1.2 m and transparent or screened. Retaining elements may be at most 1.5 m high; taller walls are terraced.\n- A pool, spa or hot tub fence must be at least 1.22 m high (Building Bylaw s. 17.5).\n- An over-height fence is a $200 ticket under the City's Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw.\n- The Zoning Bylaw has no rule on barbed wire or electric fences. Find your property lines first.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3899-building-bylaw-2023-consolidated-bylaw-3971-2024","title":"Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3543-public-nuisance-bylaw-2014-consolidated-bylaw-3589-2015","title":"Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 3543, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3964, 2024)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3322-ticketing-bylaw-offences-consolidated-bylaw-4003-2025pdf","title":"Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw No. 3322, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 4003, 2025)","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/campbell-river/fence-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/fence-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/fence-rules.json"}}