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Enderby fence rules: permits and height limits

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

Enderby, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In the City of Enderby a fence does not need a building permit. The Zoning Bylaw allows fences up to 1.2 m high anywhere on a lot, and up to 2 m (2.5 m in Industrial zones) to the rear of the required front yard. Near a street corner, nothing over 1 m high is allowed in a set triangle.

Key facts

PermitA fence does not need a building permit; the Building Bylaw does not apply to fences. Retaining structures over 1.2 m high do need one.Building Bylaw No. 1582, 2015 (consolidated), s. 105.2(d), (e); Building Bylaw No. 1582, 2015 (consolidated), s. 702.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
d. retaining structures 1.2 metres in height or less; e. fences; f. non-structural repairs or alterations
an application for a permit for a retaining structure greater than 1.2 metres
Height, front yardFences or walls not over 1.2 m high may be placed anywhere on a lot, including the front yard. Taller fences are allowed only to the rear of the required front yard.Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated), s. 309.2.a(i), (ii) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
In all zones, fences or walls not greater than 1.2 m (3.937 feet) in height may be located anywhere on a lot.
may be located on any lot to the rear of a required front yard
Height, side and rear yardsUp to 2 m (2.5 m in Industrial zones) on any lot to the rear of the required front yard. Where a residential rear lot line meets the side line of a neighbour's lot, no higher than the side-line limit at that point.Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated), s. 309.2.a(ii)-(iv) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
In all zones, except Industrial zones, fences or walls not greater than 2 m (6.562 feet) in height may be located on any lot to the rear of a required front yard.
In Industrial zones, fences or walls not greater than 2.5 m (8.202 feet) in height may be located on any lot to the rear of a required front yard.
the height of fences or walls on such rear lot line shall be not greater than the height permitted on the side line of an adjoining lot at the point of abutment
Corner lots and sightlinesNo fence or wall over 1 m high (or any lower height that is a traffic hazard) in the triangle formed by the corner and points 6 m along the front and exterior side lot lines. Along a lane near parking or display access points: 0.7 m to 1.1 m high for at least 6 m.Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated), s. 309.2.d, s. 309.2.a(v) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Fences and walls of over 1 m (3.281 feet) in height or any lesser height which constitutes a traffic hazard shall not be permitted within the area described by three (3) lines
a point on the front lot line 6 m (19.68 feet) from the exterior lot corner and a point on the exterior lot line 6 m (19.68 feet) from the exterior lot corner
Fences or walls along a lane shall be not less than 0.7 m (2.297 feet) and not more than 1.1 m (3.609 feet) in height
Other rulesHeight is measured from average grade. Residential retaining walls: 1.2 m max from lower grade. A fence on a retaining wall at or within 1 m of a property line: 2.0 m combined. Pool fences: at least 1.2 m high, openings 100 mm or less, self-closing gate (Building Bylaw s. 702.3).Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated), s. 309.2.c, e, f, g, h; Building Bylaw No. 1582, 2015 (consolidated), s. 702.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The height of fences and walls shall be determined by measurement from the ground level at the average grade level.
must not exceed a height of 1.2 m (3.94 feet) measured from grade on the lower side
The combined height of a fence on top of a retaining wall at the property line or within 1 m of a property line shall not exceed 2.0 m (6.56 feet), measured from natural grade at the property line.
where the natural grade of the subject property is lower than the abutting property
No metal fencing shall allow the ends of fence pickets or finials to extend above a horizontal surface, such as a rail
an enclosed fence not less than 1.2 metres in height with no openings greater than 100mm and so designed that members, attachments or openings will not facilitate climbing;
a self-closing gate so designed and installed as to cause the gate to return to a locked position automatically; and
BylawCity of Enderby Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014, s. 309.2 (Fences and Retaining Walls); fences are exempt from City of Enderby Building Bylaw No. 1582, 2015 (s. 105.2).Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated), s. 1; Building Bylaw No. 1582, 2015 (consolidated), s. 105.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
This Bylaw may be cited as “The Corporation of the City of Enderby Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014”.
e. fences; f. non-structural repairs or alterations

How it works

The City's Building Bylaw 1582 does not apply to fences, so a fence needs no building permit. Retaining structures over 1.2 m high do need one. Fence height and placement are set by section 309.2 of the Zoning Bylaw 1550, and height is measured from average grade.

Fences or walls up to 1.2 m high may go anywhere on a lot, including the front yard. Taller fences are allowed only to the rear of the required front yard, which depends on your zone (for example 6 m in R.1). To the rear of it, the limit is 2 m, or 2.5 m in Industrial zones.

Steps

  1. Find your property lines and your zone's required front yard depth.
  2. Keep any fence in the front yard to 1.2 m or lower.
  3. Behind the required front yard, keep the fence to 2 m (2.5 m in Industrial zones).
  4. On a corner lot, keep anything over 1 m high (or lower, if it is a traffic hazard) out of the triangle formed by the corner and points 6 m along the front and exterior side lot lines.
  5. Call the Planner at 250-838-7230 if your lot is unusual.

Good to know

  • Where a residential rear lot line meets the side line of a neighbour's lot, the fence can be no higher than the side-line limit at that point.
  • Open mesh or chain link fences around cemeteries, playgrounds, parks, playfields and schools, and in Commercial and Industrial zones, may go to 3.5 m.
  • Along a lane near parking or display access points, fences must be 0.7 m to 1.1 m high for at least 6 m.
  • Residential retaining walls are limited to 1.2 m measured from the lower grade. A fence on a retaining wall at or within 1 m of a property line may be 2.0 m combined.
  • Pool fences must be at least 1.2 m high, with openings of 100 mm or less and a self-closing gate (Building Bylaw s. 702.3).
  • The bylaws we read say nothing about barbed wire or electric fences. Ask the Planner.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Armstrong · Spallumcheen · Sicamous · Lumby · Vernon · Coldstream

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated) (PDF), City of Enderby (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Building Bylaw No. 1582, 2015 (consolidated) (PDF), City of Enderby (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Development, Planning, and Building, City of Enderby (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.