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Kent fence rules: permits and height limits

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

Kent, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In the District of Kent a fence can be up to 1.8 m high in the front setback and 2.4 m elsewhere on the lot. The Homeowner Guide says an ordinary fence needs no building permit, but a pool fence does. Near corners, nothing may exceed 1 m in the sight triangle.

Key facts

PermitThe Homeowner Guide lists fences among work that needs no building permit, but height must follow the zoning bylaw and intersection sightline rules. A swimming pool fence needs a permit ($150 per the fee schedule), and retaining walls over 1 m need a building permit.Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(b); Homeowner Guide, February 2025, s. 2(a); Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated), Sch. B item 15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Fences (fence height must comply with intersection sightline requirements and the
Construct retaining walls greater than 1 metre (3.28 feet) in height.
Construct retaining walls greater than 1 metre (3.28 feet) in height.
For a permit to erect fencing around a swimming pool in accordance
Height, front yard1.8 m on any part of a lot within the required front lot line setback (subject to the 1 m vision-clearance rule at corners).Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.10.1.1(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
one point eight (1.8) metres on any portion of a lot within a required
front lot line setback;
Height, side and rear yards2.4 m on any part of a lot outside the required front setback. Exception: in the RS1 zone with a detached accessory dwelling unit accessed from a lane, fences within the rear lot line setback are limited to 1.8 m.Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.10.1.1(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Two point four (2.4) metres on any portion of a lot outside the required
shall not exceed a height greater than one point eight (1.8) metres.
Corner lots and sightlinesAt a street corner, no fence, wall or structure (other than a principal building) may exceed 1.0 m (3 ft) within the triangle formed by the lot lines and a line joining points 18 m (60 ft) from their intersection; at a lane corner the distance is 6 m (20 ft). Hedges and shrubs may not obstruct vision there either.Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
erected to a greater height than one (1.0) metre (3.0 feet) and no hedge, bush, shrub, tree or
eighteen (18) metres (60 feet) from their points of intersection.
six (6.0) metres (20 feet) from their point of intersection.
Other rulesOpen mesh or chain link fences around a cemetery, public playground, park, playfield, school or utility yard may be up to 3 m. A fence on an engineer-approved retaining wall is limited to 1.8 m. Pool fences must be at least 1.1 m high, with no opening over 10 cm and a self-closing, self-latching gate.Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.10.1.2-3; Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation), s. 18.01 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
fences shall not exceed a height of three (3) metres
Fences placed on a retaining wall approved by the District Engineer during
subdivision or development shall not exceed one point eight (1.8) metres in
The fence shall be not less
than 1.1 metres (3 feet 6 inches) in height, with no openings greater than 10 cm
Access through the fence enclosing the
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001, ss. 7.10 and 7.11 (consolidated October 6, 2025); pool fences: Building Bylaw No. 1116, s. 18.01Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), cover; Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001
CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY
7.9 Building Height ............................................................................... 41 7.10 Fences ........................................................................................... 41 7.11 Vision Clearance at Intersections .................................................. 42
Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 February 2002

How it works

The District's Zoning Bylaw No. 1219 (sections 7.10 and 7.11) sets fence heights. A fence may be 1.8 m high on any part of a lot within the required front setback, and 2.4 m on any part outside it. In the RS1 zone, where there is a detached accessory dwelling unit reached from a lane, fences within the rear setback are limited to 1.8 m. The front limit does not apply in the industrial zones (Light, Heavy, Special and Enclosed Storage).

The Homeowner Guide lists fences among work that needs no building permit, but the height must follow zoning and the intersection sightline rules. Because that comes from the Guide and not the bylaw, confirm with Planning before you build.

Steps

  1. Find your property lines first.
  2. Check your zone and the height limits with Planning at 604-796-2235 or planning@kentbc.ca.
  3. If you are building a swimming pool fence or a retaining wall over 1 m, ask the Building Department about a building permit.

Good to know

  • At a street corner, no fence, wall or structure other than a principal building may exceed 1.0 m (3 ft) within the triangle formed by the lot lines and a line joining points 18 m (60 ft) from where they meet. At a lane corner the distance is 6 m (20 ft). Hedges and shrubs may not block vision there either.
  • Open mesh or chain link fences around a cemetery, public playground, park, playfield, school or utility yard may be up to 3 m. A fence on an engineer-approved retaining wall is limited to 1.8 m.
  • Pool fences must be at least 1.1 m high, with no opening over 10 cm and a self-closing, self-latching gate. A pool fence needs a permit ($150 in the fee schedule).
  • The bylaws and Guide do not say how fence height is measured or set rules for barbed wire or electric fences. Ask Planning.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Harrison Hot Springs · Chilliwack · Hope · Abbotsford · Mission · Maple Ridge

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025) (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Homeowner Guide, February 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated) (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Building Bylaw No. 1116, 1997 (PDF, 2009 consolidation) (read 2026-11-06)

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.