Dawson Creek fence rules: permits and height limits
Do I need a permit to build a fence, and how high can it be?
Short answer
Dawson Creek does not require a permit to build a fence, but Zoning Bylaw 4625 sets height limits. On a residential lot, a fence between the front building line and the front property line can be up to 1.2 m (4 ft) high, and elsewhere up to 1.8 m (6 ft).
Key facts
| Permit | No permit is needed to build a fence, but you must follow the Zoning Bylaw (s. 5.12) and call BC 1 Call and DigShaw before starting.Building and Renovating, Building a fence; Building and Renovating, Examples of when you do not need a permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingYou do not need a permit to build a fence. - fencing - flooring - flower beds and boxes |
|---|---|
| Height, front yard | 1.2 m (4 ft) on residential parcels, for a fence between the front building line and the front parcel line.Zoning Bylaw 4625, 2026, s. 5.12.5(a); Building and Renovating, Height of fence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOn any parcel used for residential and comprehensive development purposes: a fence located in the setback between the front building line and the front parcel line shall not exceed 1.2 m in height The maximum height is 1.2m (4ft) |
| Height, side and rear yards | 1.8 m (6 ft) on residential parcels, for a fence between the front building line and the rear parcel line (side and rear yards).Zoning Bylaw 4625, 2026, s. 5.12.5(b); Building and Renovating, Height of fence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga fence located in the setback between the front line and the rear parcel line shall not exceed 1.8 m in height The maximum height is 1.8m (6ft) |
| Corner lots and sightlines | Within the site clearance triangle at intersections shown in the bylaw, nothing (fence, screening, landscaping) may be taller than 1.0 m above street grade. The City page says within 8 m of the pavement edge at a corner, fences, trees and hedges can be no taller than 1 m.Zoning Bylaw 4625, 2026, s. 5.10.1; Building and Renovating, Corner properties · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo landscaping, screening, fencing, building, structure or object may be planted or erected to a height greater than 1.0 m above the established grade of the street any fence, tree, or hedge within 8m (26ft 3in) of the pavement edge cannot be taller than 1m (3ft 3in) above the pavement of the road. Trim branches of trees or shrubs back from the ground level up to a height of 3m (10ft) so they do not hang in this area. |
| Other rules | Fence must be on your own property, not City land, rights-of-way or easements. Height is measured from the ground beside the fence (from the bottom of a retaining wall if built on one). Electrified or dangerous fences are banned. Pool fences must be at least 1.83 m (6 ft) high.Building and Renovating, Height of fence; Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 4190, 2013 (consolidated), s. 3.20; Building Regulation Bylaw 4287 (consolidated), s. 20.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingMeasure the height of your fence from the ground right next to your fence to the highest point of your fence. If you are building on top of a retaining wall, measure from the bottom of the wall to the highest point of your fence. It cannot be on City property, or any city right-of-way or easement areas. No person will erect or maintain any fence within the City that is electrically charged or otherwise dangerous in any way. Every swimming pool shall be enclosed within a fence at least 1.83m (6 ft) from the pool and having a minimum height of 1.83m (6 ft) |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 4625, 2026, s. 5.12 (fences) and s. 5.10 (site clearance at intersections)Zoning Bylaw 4625, 2026, s. 1; Zoning Bylaw 4625, 2026, s. 5.12.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as “ZONING BYLAW NO. 4625, 2026 shall not exceed 1.2 m in height |
How it works
The City says you do not need a permit to build a fence, but you must follow section 5.12 of Zoning Bylaw 4625 and call BC 1 Call and DigShaw before starting to locate utilities.
Steps
- Measure height from the ground beside the fence to its highest point. On a retaining wall, measure from the bottom of the wall.
- Keep to the residential limit: 1.2 m (4 ft) between the front building line and the front parcel line, and 1.8 m (6 ft) between the front building line and the rear parcel line (side and rear yards).
- Keep the fence on your own property. The City says finding your property lines is your responsibility and suggests hiring a BC Land Surveyor.
- Call BC 1 Call and DigShaw before digging.
Good to know
- The fence cannot be on City property, a right-of-way or an easement.
- Corner lots: the bylaw says nothing in the site clearance triangle at an intersection (fence, screening or landscaping) may be over 1.0 m above street grade. The City page gives a simpler rule, within 8 m of the pavement edge, 1 m. The bylaw prevails, so confirm with the City.
- Commercial, public and institutional parcels: 1.8 m. Industrial, aviation and agricultural parcels: 1.8 m in front and 2.4 m behind the front building line.
- Electrified or dangerous fences are banned (Property Maintenance Bylaw 4190, s. 3.20). Pool fences must be at least 1.83 m (6 ft) high.
- The City has no jurisdiction over shared-fence disputes; those are provincial and civil matters.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Pouce Coupe · Taylor · Fort St. John · Chetwynd · Tumbler Ridge · Hudson's Hope
Sources
- Building and Renovating, City of Dawson Creek (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw 4625, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Regulation Bylaw 4287 (consolidated) (read 2026-11-05)
- Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 4190, 2013 (consolidated) (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. How answers are checked.