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Golden fence rules: permits and height limits

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

Golden, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Golden you do not need a building permit for a fence, but it must meet the Zoning Bylaw. In a residential front yard the limit is 1.0 m; in other residential yards it is 2.0 m. Over-height fences can get a $100 bylaw notice.

Key facts

PermitNo building permit is needed for a fence: the Building Regulation Bylaw does not apply to fences. Fences must still meet the zoning rules on height and materials.Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012, s. 4.2; Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
this Bylaw does not apply to
exterior siding, landscaping, sidewalks and fences and building under 10m2 floor
Height, front yard1.0 m in the front yard of a residential zone.Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 6.4(2)(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
not exceed .0 m within a Front Yard Area of a residenti al Zone
Height, side and rear yards2.0 m in non-industrial zones (this covers residential side and rear yards); 3.0 m in industrial zones. Not allowed in the front yard of a commercial or industrial lot.Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 6.4(2)(d), (e); 6.4(1)(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
not exceed 2.0 mn a non-industnalZote
not exceed 3.0 m in an industrial Zone.
not be within a Front Yard Area on a commercial or industrial Lot;
Corner lots and sightlinesNo obstruction to visibility in the corner visibility triangle (6.0 m along each street lot line from the corner where two minor streets meet). A fence or landscaping over 1.0 m high counts as an obstruction; fences may not exceed 1.0 m there.Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 6.3 and 6.4(2)(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
a Fence or Landscaping is considered to be an obstruction if over 1.0 m in height.
not exceed 1.0 m within a Corner Visibility Triangle
connecting them 6.0 m, measured along the Street Lot Lines, from their point of
Other rulesHeight is measured from natural or approved grade to the highest part. Fences must match the main building in quality, design and materials; hedges count as fences; no razor wire; no barbed wire in non-industrial zones. A pool at ground level needs a fence at least 1.5 m high with a self-closing, lockable gate (the building bylaw says 1.8 m).Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 6.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
to the highest part of the Fence;
be consistent with the Principat Building tnregard to quality of construction,
not consist of razor wtre;
not consist of barbedwire within a non-indusúialZone
d. if at Natural Grade or Approved Grade be enclosed by a minimum 1.5 m high
have at any opening within the required Fencing a self-closinggate that is lockable
BylawTown of Golden Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 6.4 (Fences) and s. 6.3 (Corner Visibility)Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 6.4; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule O · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Zoning Bylaw No. 1294,2011
6.4 Fences
6.4 (1) Prohibited fence materials $100.00 $80.00 $120.00
6.4 (2) Fence exceeds permitted height $100.00 $80.00 $120.00

How it works

The Town's Building Regulation Bylaw does not apply to fences, so no building permit is needed. Fences must still meet the height and material rules in section 6.4 of the Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011.

Height limits:

  • Front yard of a residential zone: 1.0 m.
  • Non-industrial zones (this covers residential side and rear yards): 2.0 m. The bylaw gives no separate side and rear limits.
  • Industrial zones: 3.0 m.
  • Front yard of a commercial or industrial lot: fences are not allowed.

Height is measured from natural or approved grade to the highest part of the fence.

Steps

  1. Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer).
  2. Keep the fence within the height limit for your yard.
  3. On a corner lot, keep a fence or landscaping clear of the corner visibility triangle (6.0 m along each street lot line from the corner where two minor streets meet). Over 1.0 m high counts as an obstruction there, so fences may not exceed 1.0 m.
  4. Match the main building in quality, design and materials. Hedges count as fences.

Good to know

  • Razor wire is not allowed, and barbed wire is not allowed in non-industrial zones.
  • A pool at ground level needs a fence at least 1.5 m high with a self-closing, lockable gate (the building bylaw says 1.8 m). Confirm with the Building Official; the pool itself needs a building permit.
  • Retaining structures over 1.5 m high need a building permit.
  • The posted zoning bylaw is the original 2011 text and does not include later amendments, so confirm limits with Development Services.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Revelstoke · Radium Hot Springs · Invermere · Nakusp · New Denver · Sicamous

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Building Regulation Bylaw No. 1299, 2012 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Building Permit Application Guideline 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule O (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)

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.