Fruitvale fence rules: permits and height limits
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Fruitvale, and how high can it be?
Short answer
In Fruitvale a fence does not need a building permit, but it must meet Zoning Bylaw 846. Fences may be up to 2.0 m high, and must be under 1.3 m where they sit closer to the street than the building setbacks. Ask the Village to confirm before you build.
Key facts
| Permit | No building permit is needed for a fence: Bylaw 698 does not treat fences as "structures", and the RDKB pamphlet lists fencing as non-structural work. Fence height must still meet Zoning Bylaw 846 s. 8.5.Building Permit Information brochure, Pamphlet, 'A building permit is not required'; Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 698, 2003, s. 2, definition of STRUCTURE · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording- fencing (fence height must comply with Municipal and but specifically excludes landscaping, fences, |
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| Height, front yard | Fencing under 2.0 m may be on any part of a lot, but must be under 1.3 m when closer to a street than the building setbacks for the zone.Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated, s. 8.5.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFencing which is less than 2.0 m in height may be sited on any portion of a lot provided less than 1.3 m in height when sited closer to any street than the building |
| Height, side and rear yards | No more than 2.0 m at natural grade in rural residential and residential zones (2.4 m where abutting a commercial or industrial zone). Non-residential zones: 2.4 m.Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated, ss. 8.5.4, 8.5.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingshall exceed 2.0 m in height except where abutting a commercial or industrial zone, the No fence in a non-residential zone shall exceed 2.4 m. |
| Corner lots and sightlines | None set. Zoning Bylaw 846 states no separate corner-lot or sight-line fence rule.Read: Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated |
| Other rules | On a slope, panel fences are measured at the mid-point of each panel. No barbed wire in any zone except livestock enclosures in the Rural Large Parcel zone. Retaining walls on residential lots: 1.5 m maximum from lower grade, separated by at least 1.5 m (higher where the natural grade is lower than the neighbour). A fence on a retaining wall at the property line: combined 2.0 m. Pool fences at least 1.2 m high with a self-closing gate.Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated, ss. 8.5.4, 8.5.7, 8.5.8, 8.5.10, 7.1.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingeach section shall be measured at the mid-point of each panel. No barbed wire fencing shall be allowed in any zone must not exceed a height of 1.5 m measured from grade on the lower side shall not exceed 2.0 m, measured from natural grade at the abutting not less than 1.2 m in height above grade level. |
| Bylaw | Village of Fruitvale Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, s. 8.5 (Fencing and Retaining Walls) and s. 7.1.4 (pool fences)Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated, s. 8.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFencing and Retaining Walls |
How it works
The Village's Zoning Bylaw No. 846, s. 8.5 (Fencing and Retaining Walls), sets fence rules. A building permit is not needed for a fence: Building Bylaw 698 does not treat fences as "structures", and the RDKB building brochure lists fencing as non-structural work. The bylaw does not say this in so many words, so confirm with the Village.
- Front: fencing under 2.0 m may be on any part of a lot, but must be under 1.3 m when closer to a street than the building setbacks for the zone.
- Side and rear: no more than 2.0 m at natural grade in rural residential and residential zones (2.4 m where the lot abuts a commercial or industrial zone). Non-residential zones: 2.4 m.
- Corner lots: the bylaw states no separate corner-lot or sight-line fence rule. Ask the Village.
Steps
- Find your property lines and your zone.
- Check the heights above against where your fence will sit.
- Call the Village Office (250-367-7551) if you are unsure, especially on a corner lot.
Good to know
- On a slope, panel fences are measured at the mid-point of each panel.
- Barbed wire is not allowed in any zone, except for livestock enclosures in the Rural Large Parcel zone.
- Retaining walls on residential lots may be 1.5 m high at most from the lower grade, with at least 1.5 m between walls. A higher wall is allowed where natural grade is lower than the neighbour's. A fence on a retaining wall at the property line may be 2.0 m combined.
- Pool fences must be at least 1.2 m high with a self-closing gate (s. 7.1.4).
- Fines: a bylaw notice is $100 (Bylaw 976); a municipal ticket is $250, or $200 if paid within 30 days (Bylaw 921).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 846, 2013, consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 698, 2003 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Building Permit Information brochure (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 976 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 921 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact, Village of Fruitvale (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. How answers are checked.