---
title: "Coquitlam fence rules: permits and height limits"
question: "Do I need a permit to build a fence, and how high can it be?"
place: Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/coquitlam
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Coquitlam
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/fence-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/fence-rules.json"
---

# Coquitlam fence rules: permits and height limits

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Coquitlam, https://www.coquitlam.ca)  
**Cost:** No permit fee for a fence.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building Permits, 604-927-3441
- Phone: Planning and Development, 604-927-3430

## Key facts

- **Permit:** 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.
  - Source: [A Guide to Building a Fence or Landscape Screen, page 1](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/479/Fence-Heights-and-Landscape-Screens-PDF)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Building Projects - Homeowner/Residential, Did You Know](https://www.coquitlam.ca/504/Building-Projects---HomeownerResidential)
  - Official wording: "retaining walls over 1.2 meters in height"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 3598, s. 3 definition of building](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6392829)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, front yard:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 General Regulations, s. 516, s. 516(2)](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170)
  - Official wording: "Fence height for Part 10 1.3 metres 1.8 metres maximum height" … "Fence height for all other 3.1 metres"
  - Source: [A Guide to Building a Fence or Landscape Screen, page 2](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/479/Fence-Heights-and-Landscape-Screens-PDF)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, side and rear yards:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 General Regulations, s. 516, s. 516(2)](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [A Guide to Building a Fence or Landscape Screen, page 2](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/479/Fence-Heights-and-Landscape-Screens-PDF)
  - Official wording: "In general, a fence may not exceed a height of 1.8 m (6 feet) in"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Corner lots and sightlines:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 General Regulations, s. 516, s. 516(1)](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other rules:** 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.
  - Source: [A Guide to Building a Fence or Landscape Screen, pages 2-3](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/479/Fence-Heights-and-Landscape-Screens-PDF)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 General Regulations, s. 516, s. 516(4) and (6)](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170)
  - Official wording: "Retaining wall and fence 3 metres, except where a" … "Prohibited in all zones on" … "permitted in the A-3 zone, all"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Coquitlam Zoning Bylaw No. 3000, 1996, s. 516 (Landscape Screens, Fences and Retaining Walls)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 General Regulations, s. 516](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170)
  - Official wording: "Landscape Screens, Fences and Retaining Walls"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3000, Parts 1 and 2, s. 101](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1166)
  - Official wording: "City of Coquitlam Zoning Bylaw No. 3000, 1996"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The 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).

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Height is measured from the surrounding soil to the top of the fence; on a slope, 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.
- 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.
- Hedges (landscape screens) are not height-regulated except near corners. No fences on City property.
- Pools must be enclosed by a fence at least 1.2 m high under Building Bylaw section 44.1, with a pool permit.
- An overheight fence ticket is a bylaw notice of $150 ($100 if paid within 14 days) or a municipal ticket of $1,000.
- Not sure? Call Building Permits at 604-927-3441 or Planning and Development at 604-927-3430.

## Official forms and pages

- [Fence Heights and Landscape Screens guide (PDF)](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/479/Fence-Heights-and-Landscape-Screens-PDF)
- [Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 (PDF)](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/fence-rules.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/fence-rules.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/fence-rules.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/fence-rules.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/fence-rules.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/fence-rules.md)

## Sources

- [A Guide to Building a Fence or Landscape Screen (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/479/Fence-Heights-and-Landscape-Screens-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 3000, Part 5 General Regulations, s. 516 (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1170) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 3000, Parts 1 and 2 (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/1166) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Projects - Homeowner/Residential, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/504/Building-Projects---HomeownerResidential) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 3598 (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6392829) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749 (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303017) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320 (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303001) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Coquitlam. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/fence-rules/_