---
title: "Coldstream fence rules: permits and height limits"
question: "Do I need a permit to build a fence in Coldstream, and how high can it be?"
place: Coldstream, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/coldstream
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Coldstream
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/fence-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/fence-rules.json"
---

# Coldstream fence rules: permits and height limits

**Question:** Do I need a permit to build a fence in Coldstream, and how high can it be?

**Short answer:** In Coldstream a fence needs no building permit, but it must meet the Zoning Bylaw. On residential lots the limit is 1.2 m along the front and exterior lot lines and 2 m along the rear and interior lot lines. A retaining wall over 1.2 m high needs a building permit.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Coldstream, https://www.coldstream.ca)  
**Cost:** No fee for a fence. A retaining wall over 1.2 m high needs a building permit (see building-permit-fees).  
**How long:** Not applicable for a fence.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Planning and Development, 250-545-5304
- Email: Planning and Development, planner@coldstream.ca
- Phone: Building Department, 250-550-1510
- In person: Municipal Hall, 9901 Kalamalka Road, Coldstream, BC V1B 1L6 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Permit:** The Building Bylaw does not apply to fences, so no building permit is needed for a fence. A retaining wall over 1.2 m high needs a building permit. Fences must still meet the zoning rules.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, s. 4.3](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/203/)
  - Official wording: "(c) retaining structures 1.2 m in height or less; (d) fences; (e) bridges, except"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, s. 311.2(1)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "A Building Permit is required for any Retaining Wall greater than 1.2 m in height"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, front yard:** Residential lots: 1.2 m along the front and exterior lot lines. Fencing at least 40% transparent (lattice, wrought iron, black chain-link) may be up to 2 m, but nothing may block the clear line of sight at an intersection of a lane, road or controlled-access highway.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, s. 311.1(2)(b)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "a height of 1.2 m along the front and exterior lot lines, excluding fencing with a minimum transparency of 40%(*2) or greater to lands beyond" … "a black chain-linked fence is permitted a maximum height of 2 m;" … "obstruct the clear line of sight entering onto in intersection of a Lane, Road, or Controlled-Access Highway."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, side and rear yards:** Residential lots: 2 m along rear and interior lot lines.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, s. 311.1(2)(a)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "a height of 2 m along the rear and interior lot lines;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Corner lots and sightlines:** A hedge used as a fence may not exceed 1.2 m on a corner lot, measured from 7.5 m from the intersection. Landscaping must not block visibility within 7.5 m of an intersection. The traffic bylaw also bars anything over 1 m high within a 6 m sighting triangle. (Sources differ: The Zoning Bylaw (7.5 m) and the Traffic and Highway Regulation Bylaw No. 1549, 2009 (6 m, 1 m) set different sightline figures; both apply. The traffic bylaw copy read is not marked as a consolidation, so it may have later amendments.)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, s. 311.1(2)(d), (13)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "the hedge must not exceed a height of 1.2 m on a Corner Lot, measured from a distance of 7.5 m from an intersection" … "Landscaping must not obstruct visibility within 7.5 m from any intersection"
  - Source: [Traffic and Highway Regulation Bylaw No. 1549, 2009, s. 14.a](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/530/)
  - Official wording: "structure of over one (1) metre in height or any lesser height which constitutes a traffic hazard, within a sighting triangle"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other rules:** Height is measured from the base of the fence to its upper surface; a grading plan may be required on steep slopes. Posts may be up to 10 cm above the fence panel. Fire-resistant materials are required for landscape screens. Pools must be fenced as the Building Bylaw requires. Retaining walls: 2 m maximum.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, ss. 311.1(1), (2)(c), (5), (14), 311.2(2)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "a fire-resistant wood, iron, stone, or noise attenuation fence that is well" … "Fence height is determined by measuring the base of the structure to the upper most surface." … "posts not exceeding a height of 10 cm, measured from the upper most surface of the fence panel;" … "fencing shall be installed around the in-ground Structure, in accordance with Building Bylaw." … "A Retaining Wall must not exceed 2 m in height"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, s. 311.1 (fences) and s. 311.2 (retaining walls); Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, s. 4.3; Traffic and Highway Regulation Bylaw No. 1549, 2009, s. 14.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, title page](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024"
  - Source: [Traffic and Highway Regulation Bylaw No. 1549, 2009, s. 14](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/530/)
  - Official wording: "TREES. HEDGES. AND FENCES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Building Bylaw](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/203/) does not apply to fences, so no building permit is needed for a fence. Fences must still meet the [Zoning Bylaw](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/) (s. 311.1), which sets these limits for residential lots:

- **Front and exterior lot lines:** 1.2 m. Fencing that is at least 40% transparent (lattice, wrought iron, black chain-link) may be up to 2 m, but nothing may block the clear line of sight at an intersection of a lane, road or controlled-access highway.
- **Rear and interior lot lines:** 2 m.
- **Retaining walls:** 2 m maximum. A retaining wall over 1.2 m high needs a building permit.

Height is measured from the base of the fence to its upper surface. A grading plan may be required on steep slopes. Posts may be up to 10 cm above the fence panel.

## Steps

1. Find your property lines and your zone.
2. Check the limits above. Commercial and industrial lots have separate limits.
3. Call Planning on 250-545-5304 if the property is within 30 m of a watercourse or in a development permit area, since clearing or alteration may need a development permit.
4. Call the Building Department on 250-550-1510 for a retaining wall over 1.2 m or a pool enclosure.

## Good to know

- On a corner lot, a hedge used as a fence may not exceed 1.2 m, measured from 7.5 m from the intersection, and landscaping must not block visibility within 7.5 m of an intersection. The Traffic and Highway Regulation Bylaw also bars anything over 1 m high within a 6 m sighting triangle. The two bylaws give different figures and both apply, so use the stricter one.
- In the Kalavista neighbourhood the transparency figure is 33%, and height is measured from the centre line of the fronting road on lots with a slope of 5% or less.
- Landscape screens must use fire-resistant materials. Pools must be fenced as the Building Bylaw requires.
- No rule on electric fencing was found in the Zoning Bylaw. Ask Planning.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)

## Related questions

- [Coldstream permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Coldstream zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Coldstream building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/building-permit.md)
- [Coldstream bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/fence-rules.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/fence-rules.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/fence-rules.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/fence-rules.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/fence-rules.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/fence-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, District of Coldstream](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, District of Coldstream](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/203/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Traffic and Highway Regulation Bylaw No. 1549, 2009, District of Coldstream](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/530/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Contact Directory, District of Coldstream](https://www.coldstream.ca/municipal-hall/contact-directory) (read 2026-11-06)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Coldstream. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/fence-rules/_