{"title":"Harrison Hot Springs fence rules: permits and height limits","question":"Do I need a permit to build a fence in Harrison Hot Springs, and how high can it be?","slug":"fence-rules","place":{"path":"ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs","name":"Harrison Hot Springs","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Village of Harrison Hot Springs","url":"https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca"},"short_answer":"In Harrison Hot Springs you do not need a building permit for a fence up to 2.4 m high, except a swimming pool fence. The Village zoning bylaw limits residential fences to 1.2 m in a front yard and 1.8 m elsewhere on the lot.","aliases":["fence height harrison hot springs","fence permit harrison hot springs","fence bylaw harrison hot springs","backyard fence rules harrison hot springs"],"cost":"No permit fee for a fence up to 2.4 m. A pool fence needs a building permit with a $125 fee.","how_long":"Not applicable; no fence permit is needed.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Village Office","value":"495 Hot Springs Road, Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M 1K0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"Village Office","value":"604-796-2171"},{"type":"email","label":"FVRD Building Inspection","value":"building@fvrd.bc.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1115, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 15, 2025), Village of Harrison Hot Springs","url":"https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1115--%28Consolidated-to-December-15%2C-2025%29.pdf"},{"title":"Building Bylaw No. 1188, 2013 (PDF, consolidated), Fraser Valley Regional District","url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Building/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%201188,%202013%20-%20Bulding%20Bylaw.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Harrison Hot Springs permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Harrison Hot Springs zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Harrison Hot Springs building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/kent","name":"Kent","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chilliwack","name":"Chilliwack","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hope","name":"Hope","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/abbotsford","name":"Abbotsford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/maple-ridge","name":"Maple Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/fence-rules/"}],"topic":{"title":"Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules/"},"facts":{"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"No building permit is needed for a fence up to 2.4 m high (8 ft), except a fence required around a swimming pool, which needs one. Zoning height limits still apply.","short":"No building permit up to 2.4 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Building/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%201188,%202013%20-%20Bulding%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1188, 2013 (PDF, consolidated), Fraser Valley Regional District","section":"s. 5.4(r) and 5.2(c)","quotes":["fences up to a maximum of 2.4 metres (8 feet) high measured on any face except","installation or alteration of fencing around a swimming pool as required under"]},{"url":"https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/2018.08.17-HHS-Building-Permits-QA.pdf","title":"Building Permits Q&A, 2018 (PDF), Village of Harrison Hot Springs","section":"Village Building Permits Q&A","quotes":["A retaining wall or fence."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"height_front":{"label":"Height, front yard","value":"1.2 m in a front yard in a Residential zone. It may be 2.0 m if transparent mesh is used for the part above 1.2 m.","short":"1.2 m (2.0 m with transparent mesh above)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1115--%28Consolidated-to-December-15%2C-2025%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1115, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 15, 2025), Village of Harrison Hot Springs","section":"s. 4.4.1(a)(ii) and (b)(i)","quotes":["The maximum height of a fence must not exceed 1.2 m in a front yard and not","the Fence height may be increased to 2.0 m in a front yard provided"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"height_side_rear":{"label":"Height, side and rear yards","value":"1.8 m on all other parts of a lot in a Residential zone. In other zones the maximum is 2.5 m. Closed fences and landscape screens in a required setback next to a residential lot must be under 2.0 m.","short":"1.8 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1115--%28Consolidated-to-December-15%2C-2025%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1115, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 15, 2025), Village of Harrison Hot Springs","section":"s. 4.4.1","quotes":["more than 1.8 m on all other parts of a Lot in a Residential zone","the maximum height of a fence must not exceed 2.5 m in any other zone","except closed fences and landscape","2.0 m in height when sited in a required Setback area"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"corner_lots":{"label":"Corner lots and sightlines","value":"At a street corner, nothing (including a hedge) may be built or allowed to grow higher than 0.3 m above the grade of the highway within the sight triangle formed by extending 6.0 m along the lot lines from the corner.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1115--%28Consolidated-to-December-15%2C-2025%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1115, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 15, 2025), Village of Harrison Hot Springs","section":"s. 3.8(a)","quotes":["exceeding a height greater than 0.3 m above the established grade","lines formed by extending 6.0 m in an area bounded by the intersecting Lot lines at a"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"other_rules":{"label":"Other rules","value":"Height is measured to the highest point from average finished grade at the base, including a fence on a retaining wall. Barbed wire, razor wire, electric current and hazardous materials are banned, except for farm uses. A single residential retaining wall is limited to 1.2 m, and walls must be 0.6 m apart. A pool over 13.9 m² and 0.46 m deep needs a fence at least 1.1 m high with a self-closing, spring-locked gate.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1115--%28Consolidated-to-December-15%2C-2025%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1115, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 15, 2025), Village of Harrison Hot Springs","section":"s. 4.4.1(a)(i), (c), (d)","quotes":["The height of a Fence or wall must be measured to the highest point from, and","The use of barbed wire, razor wire, electric current, or any hazardous material for","not exceed a height of 1.2 m measured from the Average Finished Grade level at"]},{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Building/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%201188,%202013%20-%20Bulding%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1188, 2013 (PDF, consolidated), Fraser Valley Regional District","section":"s. 19.2","quotes":["Swimming pools shall be enclosed within a fence. The fence shall be not less than 1.1 metres","having a surface area greater than 13.9 m2 (150 sq. ft.) and a","depth greater than 0.46 metres (18 inches)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Village of Harrison Hot Springs Zoning Bylaw No. 1115, 2017, s. 4.4.1 and s. 3.8; FVRD Building Bylaw No. 1188, 2013, s. 5.4(r) and 19.2.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1115--%28Consolidated-to-December-15%2C-2025%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1115, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 15, 2025), Village of Harrison Hot Springs","section":"s. 4.4","quotes":["Fences, Screening and Retaining Walls"]},{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Building/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%201188,%202013%20-%20Bulding%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1188, 2013 (PDF, consolidated), Fraser Valley Regional District","section":"title page","quotes":["BUILDING BYLAW NO. 1188, 2013"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Zoning Bylaw No. 1115, 2017](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1115--%28Consolidated-to-December-15%2C-2025%29.pdf) sets fence heights in Harrison Hot Springs. The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) [Building Bylaw No. 1188](https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Building/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%201188,%202013%20-%20Bulding%20Bylaw.pdf) says no building permit is needed for a fence up to 2.4 m (8 ft) high, except a fence required around a swimming pool. Zoning height limits still apply.\n\n## Height limits (Residential zones)\n\n- Front yard: 1.2 m. It may be 2.0 m if transparent mesh is used for the part above 1.2 m.\n- All other parts of the lot: 1.8 m.\n- Other zones: 2.5 m maximum.\n- Closed fences and landscape screens in a required setback next to a residential lot must be under 2.0 m.\n- Corner lots: nothing, including a hedge, may be built or grow higher than 0.3 m above the street grade within the sight triangle formed by extending 6.0 m along the lot lines from the corner.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone and lot lines with the Village Office (604-796-2171).\n2. Build within the height limits. Height is measured to the highest point from average finished grade at the base, including a fence on a retaining wall.\n3. For a pool fence, apply for a building permit through the FVRD.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Barbed wire, razor wire, electric current and hazardous materials are banned in fences, except for farm uses.\n- A single residential retaining wall is limited to 1.2 m, and walls must be 0.6 m apart.\n- A pool over 13.9 m² and 0.46 m deep needs a fence at least 1.1 m high with a self-closing, spring-locked gate.\n- A fence over the height limit can be ticketed at $200 ($190 if paid early, $210 if late) under the Village's [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw](https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Bylaw-855---Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-%28Consolidated-%29-April-2026.pdf).","sources":[{"url":"https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-03/Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1115--%28Consolidated-to-December-15%2C-2025%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1115, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 15, 2025), Village of Harrison Hot Springs","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.fvrd.ca/assets/Government/Documents/Bylaws/Building/CONSOLIDATED%20Bylaw%201188,%202013%20-%20Bulding%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1188, 2013 (PDF, consolidated), Fraser Valley Regional District","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/2018.08.17-HHS-Building-Permits-QA.pdf","title":"Building Permits Q&A, 2018 (PDF), Village of Harrison Hot Springs","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.harrisonhotsprings.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Bylaw-855---Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-%28Consolidated-%29-April-2026.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 855 (PDF, consolidated April 2026), Village of Harrison Hot Springs","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/fence-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/fence-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/fence-rules.json"}}