{"title":"Comox fence rules: permits and height limits","question":"Do I need a permit to build a fence in Comox, and how high can it be?","slug":"fence-rules","place":{"path":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","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":"Town of Comox","url":"https://www.comox.ca"},"short_answer":"In Comox the Building Bylaw excludes fences from \"structure\", and the Zoning Bylaw's fence rules mention no permit. Limits are 1.2 m in front and exterior side yards in low-density and multi-unit residential zones, and 2.4 m elsewhere. Some Comprehensive Development (CD) zones ban front fences.","aliases":["fence height comox","fence bylaw comox","fence permit comox","pool fence comox"],"cost":"No fence permit is mentioned in the bylaws. A private swimming pool needs a swimming pool permit; see the building-permit-fees answer.","how_long":"Not applicable for an ordinary fence.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Planning Department","value":"250-339-1118"},{"type":"email","label":"Planning Department","value":"planning@comox.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall","value":"1809 Beaufort Avenue, Comox, BC V9M 1R9","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF)","url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf"},{"title":"Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF)","url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/Bylaw%201472%20Consolidated%20-%20Building%20-%20as%20at%20Jan%2015%2C%202025.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Comox zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Comox permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/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/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/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 Zoning Bylaw's fence rules (s. 7.4) do not mention a fence permit. The Building Bylaw's definition of \"structure\" specifically excludes fences, and its building permit duty applies to buildings and structures. A private swimming pool needs a swimming pool permit and a barrier.","short":"No fence permit stated","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/Bylaw%201472%20Consolidated%20-%20Building%20-%20as%20at%20Jan%2015%2C%202025.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF, consolidated to January 15, 2025), Town of Comox","section":"s. 2 definition of Structure; s. 8(2)","quotes":["but specifically excludes landscaping, fences, paving and retaining structures 1.2 meters or less in","a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_front":{"label":"Height, front yard","value":"1.2 m in a front or exterior side yard in the Low-Density and Multi-Unit Residential zones; 2.4 m in all yards in all other zones, unless a CD zone sets its own. In the CD23, CD24, CD25 and CD26 zones no fence is allowed in a front or exterior side yard.","short":"1.2 m (2.4 m in other zones)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","section":"s. 7.4(3), Table 7.4(3); zone regulations","quotes":["Table 7.4(3) Fence Regulations","Residential and 1.2 m (ii) Exterior Side Yard","Despite Section 7.4, no fence shall be permitted within a front or exterior side yard.","(b) All Other Zones (i) All Yards 2.4 m 1,2","(a) be permitted within a front or exterior side yard; and"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_side_rear":{"label":"Height, side and rear yards","value":"2.4 m in side and rear yards in residential zones, and in all yards in other zones. Next to higher ground, up to 3.0 m if no more than 2.0 m above the neighbour's grade. A CD zone's own fence rules override this (CD25: 1.5 m).","short":"2.4 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","section":"s. 7.4(3), Table 7.4(3)","quotes":["(iii) All Other Yards 2.4 m1","is 3.0 metres, provided the fence does not protrude more than 2.0 metres above the finished grade of the neighbouring lot","(b) All Other Zones (i) All Yards 2.4 m 1,2","Where a Comprehensive Development zone prescribes zone-specific fence standards, such","exceed a maximum height of 1.5 metres."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"corner_lots":{"label":"Corner lots and sightlines","value":"On a corner lot, no fence (or building, structure, retaining wall or landscaping) may be higher than 1.0 m within the triangle formed by measuring 6.0 m along each of the two adjoining property boundaries from the corner and joining those points.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","section":"s. 5.5(1)","quotes":["On any corner lot, no building, structure, fence, retaining wall, landscaping, screening, or other such","to exceed a maximum height of 1.0 metre within the triangular space formed by measuring 6.0 metres along the edge of the two"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_rules":{"label":"Other rules","value":"Fence height is measured from the highest point of the fence to finished grade; if a fence is within 1.0 m of the top of a retaining wall, the wall's height is included. Except in the DND Lands zone, no fence may be made of or contain barbed wire, razor wire, electrified wire, sheet metal or plywood. A retaining wall in a required setback may not exceed 2.4 m. A private swimming pool must have a non-climbable barrier at least 1.5 m high with openings no wider than 10 cm and a self-closing, lock-closed gate.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","section":"s. 7.4(2), (4); s. 7.5(2)","quotes":["The height of a fence shall be determined by measuring the vertical distance between the highest","no fence shall be comprised of or contain barbed wire, razor wire, electrified wire, sheet metal, or plywood","No retaining wall located within a required setback, including a tiered retaining wall, shall"]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/Bylaw%201472%20Consolidated%20-%20Building%20-%20as%20at%20Jan%2015%2C%202025.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF, consolidated to January 15, 2025), Town of Comox","section":"s. 27(1)-(3)","quotes":["barrier not less than 1.5 meters in height and no openings greater than 10","be equipped with a self closing device"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056, s. 7.4 (Fences), s. 5.5 (Visual Clearance at Intersections) and s. 7.5 (Retaining Walls); Building Bylaw No. 1472, s. 27 (Private Swimming Pools and Fencing).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","section":"s. 7.4","quotes":["7.4 Fences","no fence shall exceed the maximum fence height"]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/Bylaw%201472%20Consolidated%20-%20Building%20-%20as%20at%20Jan%2015%2C%202025.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF, consolidated to January 15, 2025), Town of Comox","section":"s. 27","quotes":["27. Private Swimming Pools and Fencing"]}],"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 Town of Comox [Zoning Bylaw No. 2056](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf) section 7.4 sets fence heights and does not mention a fence permit. The [Building Bylaw](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/Bylaw%201472%20Consolidated%20-%20Building%20-%20as%20at%20Jan%2015%2C%202025.pdf) defines \"structure\" so that it excludes fences, so its building permit duty does not cover an ordinary fence. No Town page on fence permits was found, so check with Planning before you build. A private swimming pool does need a swimming pool permit and a barrier.\n\nMaximum heights:\n\n- **Front and exterior side yards:** 1.2 m in the Low-Density and Multi-Unit Residential zones; 2.4 m in all yards in all other zones.\n- **Side and rear yards:** 2.4 m. Next to higher ground you may go up to 3.0 m if the fence is no more than 2.0 m above the neighbour's grade.\n- **CD zones** may set their own rules. In CD23, CD24, CD25 and CD26 no fence is allowed in a front or exterior side yard, and CD25 limits fences to 1.5 m.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer).\n2. Call Planning (250-339-1118) to confirm the fence rules for your zone, especially in a CD zone.\n3. Measure from the highest point of the fence to finished grade. If the fence is within 1.0 m of the top of a retaining wall, count the wall's height too.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- On a corner lot, nothing may be higher than 1.0 m (fence, building, structure, retaining wall or landscaping) inside the triangle made by measuring 6.0 m along each property boundary from the corner and joining those points.\n- Except in the DND Lands zone, a fence may not be made of or contain barbed wire, razor wire, electrified wire, sheet metal or plywood.\n- A retaining wall in a required setback may not exceed 2.4 m.\n- A private swimming pool needs a non-climbable barrier at least 1.5 m high, with openings no wider than 10 cm and a self-closing, lock-closed gate.\n- An overheight fence bylaw notice is $200 if paid within 14 days and $250 after. Blocking visual clearance at a corner is the same.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/Bylaw%201472%20Consolidated%20-%20Building%20-%20as%20at%20Jan%2015%2C%202025.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF, consolidated to January 15, 2025), Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-08/Bylaw%202004%20Consolidated%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20as%20at%20June%2010%2C%202026.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2004 (PDF, consolidated to June 10, 2026), Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/planning","title":"Planning, Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/comox/fence-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/fence-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/fence-rules.json"}}