{"title":"Coquitlam 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/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","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 Coquitlam","url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca"},"short_answer":"No. The City of Coquitlam does not require a permit to build a fence. In residential zones a fence can be 1.3 m high in front of the front face of the building and 1.8 m behind it, and 1 m within 6 m of an exterior lot corner. Other zones allow 3.1 m.","aliases":["fence height coquitlam","fence bylaw coquitlam","how tall can my fence be coquitlam","fence permit coquitlam"],"cost":"No permit fee for a fence.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Building Permits","value":"604-927-3441"},{"type":"phone","label":"Planning and Development","value":"604-927-3430"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Fence Heights and Landscape Screens guide (PDF)","url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/479/Fence-Heights-and-Landscape-Screens-PDF"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 (PDF)","url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170"}],"related":[{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Coquitlam permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Coquitlam zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Coquitlam building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/anmore","name":"Anmore","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/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 City permit is needed to build a fence (the Building Bylaw does not treat fences as buildings). A wall built instead of a fence may need a building permit. Retaining walls count as buildings when their combined average height is 1.2 m or more.","short":"No City permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/479/Fence-Heights-and-Landscape-Screens-PDF","title":"A Guide to Building a Fence or Landscape Screen (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"page 1","quotes":["It is not mandatory to have a fence, nor is a permit","from the City required to build one.","some walls may require a building permit."]},{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/504/Building-Projects---HomeownerResidential","title":"Building Projects - Homeowner/Residential, City of Coquitlam","section":"Did You Know","quotes":["retaining walls over 1.2 meters in height"]},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6392829","title":"Building Bylaw No. 3598 (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 3 definition of building","quotes":["a retaining wall or combination of retaining walls separated by a horizontal distance of less than twice the height of the soil retention of the lower wall, whose combined average height is not less than 1.2 metres, but does not include a pool, plumbing system, landscaping, fences, paving or temporary building"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_front":{"label":"Height, front yard","value":"In low-density residential zones (Part 10), Part 12 and Part 22 zones, RMH, C-1, C-5 and P-4: 1.3 m in front of the front face of the building. In all other zones: 3.1 m.","short":"1.3 m in front of building face","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 General Regulations, s. 516 (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 516(2)","quotes":["Fence height for Part 10 1.3 metres 1.8 metres maximum height","Fence height for all other 3.1 metres"]},{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/479/Fence-Heights-and-Landscape-Screens-PDF","title":"A Guide to Building a Fence or Landscape Screen (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"page 2","quotes":["except where the fence is located forward of the front face","1.3 metres (4.3 feet) This does not apply to exterior side"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_side_rear":{"label":"Height, side and rear yards","value":"In those residential zones, 1.8 m maximum behind (to the rear of) the front face of the building, on interior and exterior lots. In all other zones, 3.1 m.","short":"1.8 m behind front face of building","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 General Regulations, s. 516 (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 516(2)","quotes":["Fence height for Part 10 1.3 metres 1.8 metres maximum height","to the rear of the front face","Fence height for all other 3.1 metres"]},{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/479/Fence-Heights-and-Landscape-Screens-PDF","title":"A Guide to Building a Fence or Landscape Screen (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"page 2","quotes":["In general, a fence may not exceed a height of 1.8 m (6 feet) in"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"corner_lots":{"label":"Corner lots and sightlines","value":"Within 6 m of an exterior lot corner, a landscape screen, retaining wall or fence may be 1 m maximum, and vegetation must be trimmed so there is no obstruction between 1 m and 2 m above pavement. None are allowed within a 3 m by 3 m area next to a lane or street intersection.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 General Regulations, s. 516 (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 516(1)","quotes":["Landscape screen, retaining 1 metre maximum Trees and other vegetation","there is no visual obstruction","No landscape screens, fences, or retaining walls are permitted within a 3 metre by 3 metre area adjacent a"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_rules":{"label":"Other rules","value":"Height is measured from the grade of the surrounding soil to the top of the fence (on slopes, from the high side of each panel). Barbed wire, razor wire and similar are prohibited, except barbed wire above 1.8 m in A-3, M and P-3 zones. Retaining wall plus fence: 3 m maximum. No fences on City property.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/479/Fence-Heights-and-Landscape-Screens-PDF","title":"A Guide to Building a Fence or Landscape Screen (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"pages 2-3","quotes":["The maximum height of a fence is measured from the grade","Barbed wire, razor wire, broken glass or any material that is","Placing a fence or wall on City property is strictly"]},{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 General Regulations, s. 516 (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 516(4) and (6)","quotes":["Retaining wall and fence 3 metres, except where a","Prohibited in all zones on","permitted in the A-3 zone, all"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"City of Coquitlam Zoning Bylaw No. 3000, 1996, s. 516 (Landscape Screens, Fences and Retaining Walls)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 General Regulations, s. 516 (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 516","quotes":["Landscape Screens, Fences and Retaining Walls"]},{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1166","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3000, Parts 1 and 2 (PDF), City of Coquitlam","section":"s. 101","quotes":["City of Coquitlam Zoning Bylaw No. 3000, 1996"]}],"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 Coquitlam does not require a permit for a fence; the Building Bylaw does not treat fences as buildings. A wall built instead of a fence may need a building permit, and a retaining wall counts as a building when its combined average height is 1.2 m or more. Fence height is set by section 516 of [Zoning Bylaw 3000](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Maximum height in low-density residential zones (Part 10), Part 12 and Part 22 zones, RMH, C-1, C-5 and P-4: 1.3 m in front of the front face of the building, 1.8 m behind it. In all other zones: 3.1 m.\n- The City guide says the 1.3 m limit does not apply to exterior side yards facing a street, while the bylaw table gives 1.8 m behind the front face. Confirm with Planning if your fence faces a street.\n- Within 6 m of an exterior lot corner, a fence, landscape screen or retaining wall can be 1 m at most, and vegetation must be trimmed so nothing blocks the view between 1 m and 2 m above pavement. Nothing is allowed in the 3 m by 3 m area next to a lane or street intersection.\n- Height is measured from the surrounding soil to the top of the fence; on a slope, from the high side of each panel.\n- Barbed wire, razor wire and similar are prohibited, except barbed wire above 1.8 m in A-3, M and P-3 zones.\n- A retaining wall plus fence can be 3 m at most. Where a retaining wall over 1.2 m is allowed, the fence on top is limited to 1.8 m. In all R zones retaining walls must be 0.6 m back from the front and exterior side lot lines.\n- Hedges (landscape screens) are not height-regulated except near corners. No fences on City property.\n- Pools must be enclosed by a fence at least 1.2 m high under Building Bylaw section 44.1, with a pool permit.\n- An overheight fence ticket is a bylaw notice of $150 ($100 if paid within 14 days) or a municipal ticket of $1,000.\n- Not sure? Call Building Permits at 604-927-3441 or Planning and Development at 604-927-3430.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/479/Fence-Heights-and-Landscape-Screens-PDF","title":"A Guide to Building a Fence or Landscape Screen (PDF), City of Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 General Regulations, s. 516 (PDF), City of Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1166","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3000, Parts 1 and 2 (PDF), City of Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.coquitlam.ca/504/Building-Projects---HomeownerResidential","title":"Building Projects - Homeowner/Residential, City of Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6392829","title":"Building Bylaw No. 3598 (PDF), City of Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303017","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749 (PDF), City of Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303001","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320 (PDF), City of Coquitlam","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/coquitlam/fence-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/fence-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/fence-rules.json"}}