{"title":"Chilliwack 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/chilliwack","name":"Chilliwack","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 Chilliwack","url":"https://www.chilliwack.com"},"short_answer":"In Chilliwack an ordinary fence does not need a building permit, but a screening fence over 2 m or a masonry wall over 1.2 m may. The City's Zoning Bylaw sets no residential fence height limit. Pool fences must be at least 1.2 m. Call Planning to confirm.","aliases":["fence height chilliwack","fence bylaw chilliwack","pool fence chilliwack","retaining wall permit chilliwack"],"cost":"No building permit fee for an ordinary fence. Retaining walls over 1.22 m and some screening fences or masonry walls may need a permit; see the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"Not applicable for an ordinary fence.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Planning Department","value":"604-793-2906"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Department","value":"604-793-2905"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall","value":"8550 Young Road, Chilliwack, BC V2P 8A4","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Building Regulation Bylaw 2970 (PDF)","url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=772"},{"title":"Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw 3811 (PDF)","url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=439"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000","url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=377"},{"title":"Highway and Traffic Bylaw 4686 (PDF)","url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=1090"}],"related":[{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Chilliwack permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Chilliwack zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs","name":"Harrison Hot Springs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kent","name":"Kent","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/abbotsford","name":"Abbotsford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hope","name":"Hope","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/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":"The Building Regulation Bylaw does not apply to a fence permitted under the Zoning Bylaw, so an ordinary fence needs no building permit. But under the Zoning Bylaw a view-obstructing screening fence may need a building permit if over 2 m high, and masonry or concrete walls over 1.2 m high may need one.","short":"No building permit for ordinary fence","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=772","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw 2003, No. 2970 (PDF, consolidated March 16, 2021)","section":"s. 15(1)","quotes":["a fence permitted to be constructed under the City’s Zoning Bylaw, in force from"]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6624","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000 (PDF)","section":"s. 4.09(3)(h)(iv)-(v)","quotes":["masonry or concrete walls exceeding 1.2m in HEIGHT may require a BUILDING PERMIT","may require a BUILDING PERMIT if they exceed 2m in HEIGHT."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-05"}},"height_front":{"label":"Height, front yard","value":null,"status":"none","note":"The City's Zoning Bylaw 5000 sets no maximum fence height for front, side or rear yards in residential zones.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6624","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000 (PDF)"}]},"height_side_rear":{"label":"Height, side and rear yards","value":null,"status":"none","note":"The City's Zoning Bylaw 5000 sets no maximum fence height for front, side or rear yards in residential zones.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6624","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000 (PDF)"}]},"corner_lots":{"label":"Corner lots and sightlines","value":"No fixed fence height for corner lots, but the Highway and Traffic Bylaw 2019, No. 4686, s. 17 says no owner or occupier of real property shall allow any obstruction to the line of vision from a highway intersection between 0.5 m and 3 m above the average height of the crown of the highway if it reduces the sight distance below the minimum in Schedule 7 (for example 45 m stopping sight distance at 40 km/h, 65 m at 50 km/h). The City reviews intersection visibility on a complaint basis.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6624","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000 (PDF)","section":"s. 4.03(1)(b)","quotes":["A HIGHWAY access or egress driveway that is within 7.5m of the point of intersection of the road"]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=1090","title":"Highway and Traffic Bylaw 2019, No. 4686 (PDF)","section":"s. 17 and Schedule 7","quotes":["17.   No owner or occupier of real property shall allow any obstruction to the line of vision from a","Highway Intersection between the height of 0.5m and 3m above the average height of the","crown of a Highway if the obstruction reduces the sight distance to less than the minimum set"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-05"}},"other_rules":{"label":"Other rules","value":"Livestock fences must not be barbed wire or electrified unless the zone permits livestock; electrified fences cannot run along lot lines next to a residential zone or a zone readily permitting public access. Security fences are allowed in all zones, with barbed wire or other potentially injurious elements at least 2 m above ground. Pool fences (pools over 9 m2 and deeper than 45 cm): at least 1.2 m high, no openings over 10 cm, gate self-closing with a locking latch; a certified safety cover may be used instead of a fence. Retaining walls over 1.22 m (4 ft) need a building permit and registered professional design (Building Regulation Bylaw s. 133-134); walls supporting soil under 4 feet on single-family parcels are exempt (s. 15(2)). The bylaws set no rule for how fence height is measured.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6624","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000 (PDF)","section":"s. 4.09(1)(a)-(b)","quotes":["fences shall not be constructed of barbed wire nor electrified, unless located in a ZONE","electrified fences may not be located along LOT LINES adjacent to a Residential ZONE or a","SECURITY FENCES are permitted in all ZONES but, barbed wire or other potentially injurious"]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=439","title":"Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw 2011, No. 3811 (PDF)","section":"s. 4(1)-(2)","quotes":["have a minimum height of 1.2m;","have no openings greater than 10cm; and","have a self-closing and locking latch; and"]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=772","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw 2003, No. 2970 (PDF, consolidated March 16, 2021)","section":"s. 5 definition 'retaining wall'; ss. 133-134","quotes":["if the wall exceeds 1.22m (4ft) in height above the lesser of natural or finished","134.   No person may construct, or structurally repair, a retaining wall without a valid and"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-05"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000, s. 4.09 (Fencing, Landscaping, Screening); Building Regulation Bylaw 2003, No. 2970, s. 15(1) (fences) and ss. 133-134 (retaining walls); Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw 2011, No. 3811, s. 4; Highway and Traffic Bylaw 2019, No. 4686, s. 17 (sightlines at intersections)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6624","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000 (PDF)","section":"s. 4.09","quotes":["4.09 FENCING, LANDSCAPING, SCREENING"]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=772","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw 2003, No. 2970 (PDF, consolidated March 16, 2021)","section":"s. 15(1)","quotes":["This Bylaw does not apply to:"]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=439","title":"Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw 2011, No. 3811 (PDF)","section":"s. 4","quotes":["Every owner of a swimming pool shall ensure that the swimming pool is"]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=1090","title":"Highway and Traffic Bylaw 2019, No. 4686 (PDF)","section":"s. 17","quotes":["17.   No owner or occupier of real property shall allow any obstruction to the line of vision from a"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-05"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":4,"matched":4,"none":2,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of Chilliwack's [Building Regulation Bylaw](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=772) does not apply to a fence permitted under the Zoning Bylaw, so an ordinary fence needs no building permit. The Zoning Bylaw adds that a view-obstructing screening fence over 2 m high, or a masonry or concrete wall over 1.2 m high, may need one. These screening rules mainly cover required screening, such as between commercial and residential zones.\n\nThe City's Zoning Bylaw 5000 sets no maximum fence height for front, side or rear yards in residential zones, and no bylaw says how height is measured. Call Planning to confirm before you build.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your property lines first, since a fence on the wrong side can lead to a dispute.\n2. Call Planning (604-793-2906) to confirm height limits for your zone.\n3. For a retaining wall over 1.22 m (4 feet), or a pool enclosure, ask the Building Department (604-793-2905). Retaining walls over 1.22 m need a building permit and a registered professional's design.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Swimming pool fences (pools over 9 m² and deeper than 45 cm) must be at least 1.2 m high with no openings over 10 cm. Gates must be 1.2 m high and self-closing with a locking latch. A certified safety cover may be used instead of a fence.\n- Livestock fences must not be barbed wire or electrified unless the zone permits livestock. Security fences are allowed in all zones, with barbed wire or similar elements at least 2 m above ground.\n- Corner lots have no fixed fence height, but the Highway and Traffic Bylaw bars anything that blocks the line of sight at an intersection between 0.5 m and 3 m above the road if it cuts sight distance below the bylaw minimum (for example 45 m at 40 km/h). The City checks this on a complaint basis.\n- Retaining structures under 1.22 m, and walls supporting soil under 4 feet on single-family lots, are exempt from the Building Regulation Bylaw.\n- Under the Community Standards Bylaw, deteriorated fences can count as an unsightly property.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=772","title":"Building Regulation Bylaw 2003, No. 2970 (PDF, consolidated March 16, 2021)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=6624","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2020, No. 5000 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=439","title":"Swimming Pool Enclosure Bylaw 2011, No. 3811 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=1090","title":"Highway and Traffic Bylaw 2019, No. 4686 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=2952","title":"Property Maintenance, City of Chilliwack","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 4 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 2 are recorded as not set."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/fence-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/fence-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/fence-rules.json"}}