---
title: "Kimberley fence rules: permits and height limits"
question: "Do I need a permit to build a fence, and how high can it be?"
place: Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/kimberley
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Kimberley
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/fence-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/fence-rules.json"
---

# Kimberley fence rules: permits and height limits

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

**Short answer:** In Kimberley a fence needs no building permit, because the Building Bylaw does not apply to fences (retaining walls are covered separately). Zoning Bylaw 1850 limits fences to 2.15 m (7 ft) in every yard, in all zones except Industrial and Public zones. Corner-lot sight triangles and pool fences have their own rules.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Kimberley, https://www.kimberley.ca)  
**Cost:** No fee for a fence itself is stated in the bylaws. A building permit for a retaining wall or pool follows the building permit fees.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building Official, 250-427-9655
- Email: Planning Services, planning@kimberley.ca
- Email: Building Official, building.official@kimberley.ca

## Key facts

- **Permit:** No building permit: the Building Bylaw does not apply to a fence (retaining walls are covered separately). Zoning rules on height and location still apply.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018, s. 3.3(a)](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/122885)
  - Official wording: "a fence, except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining Walls] of this bylaw;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, front yard:** 2.15 m (7 ft). The bylaw sets one limit for all yards in all zones except Industrial and Public zones; it has no separate front-yard limit.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.11(9)](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133474)
  - Official wording: "All Zones, except Industrial and Public Zones:" … "The maximum height of a fence in all yards shall be 2.15 metres (7 ft)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, side and rear yards:** 2.15 m (7 ft) in all yards (same limit as the front yard), in all zones except Industrial and Public zones.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.11(9)](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133474)
  - Official wording: "The maximum height of a fence in all yards shall be 2.15 metres (7 ft)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Corner lots and sightlines:** Bylaw 1850 (residential and CD zones): nothing over 1 m high that blocks more than 20% of visibility within the triangle formed by the parcel lines and a line joining points 3 m from where they meet. Alpine Resort Bylaw 2016: nothing over 1 m may obstruct vision within 6 m (3 m in RHA and LA zones).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.09(3)(c)](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133474)
  - Official wording: "no buildings, structures, fences, landscaping or other objects in excess of" … "1m (3.2 ft) in height, and that" … "obstruct visibility by more than" … "from their points of intersection."
  - Source: [Alpine Resort Zoning Bylaw No. 2016, 1999 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.11](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133475)
  - Official wording: "No person shall obstruct vision at an intersection on corner parcels by buildings," … "in the RHA and LA zones : 3.0 metres (9.9 ft.)" … "in all other zones : 6.0 metres (19.6 ft.)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other rules:** Barbed, electrified or razor wire is banned (limited barbed-wire exception in M-1, M-2, P-2 zones). A fence on a retaining wall at or within 1.2 m of a property line is measured from grade on the high side. Retaining wall faces: 2 m maximum. Pool, spa or hot tub fences: at least 1.2 m high, no openings over 100 mm, self-closing self-latching gate.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.11](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133474)
  - Official wording: "Barbed, electrified, or razor wire must not be used as a fencing material in any" … "Zone, except barbed wire may be used" … "the high side of the" … "retaining wall." … "The exposed face of any retaining wall must not exceed height of 2 metres." … "All fencing, retaining walls, screening and landscaping must be maintained in"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018, Part 14, ss. 14.2-14.3](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/122885)
  - Official wording: "having a minimum height of 1.2 metres and no openings greater than 100 mm at their greatest" … "self-closing and self-latching gate"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994, ss. 4.09(3)(c) and 4.11; Alpine Resort Zoning Bylaw No. 2016, 1999, ss. 4.11 and 4.14; Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018, s. 3.3(a) and Part 14 (pool fences).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.11](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133474)
  - Official wording: "RETAINING WALLS, FENCING, SCREENING AND LANDSCAPING"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018, s. 3.3(a)](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/122885)
  - Official wording: "a fence, except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining Walls] of this bylaw;"
  - Source: [Alpine Resort Zoning Bylaw No. 2016, 1999 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.14](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133475)
  - Official wording: "The maximum height of a fence in all yards shall be 2.15 metres (7 ft)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

[Building Bylaw 2620](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/122885), s. 3.3(a), does not apply to a fence, so no building permit is issued for one. Zoning rules on height and location still apply. Most of Kimberley is under [Zoning Bylaw 1850](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133474); the alpine resort area has its own [Alpine Resort Zoning Bylaw 2016](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133475). Check which one covers your lot.

## Steps

1. Confirm your lot lines before building.
2. Keep the fence at or below 2.15 m (7 ft). Zoning Bylaw 1850 sets one limit for all yards, with no separate front-yard limit.
3. On a corner lot, check the sight triangle below.
4. If you want to build over the limit, ask Planning Services about options.

## Good to know

- The 2.15 m limit does not apply in Industrial and Public zones, which have their own limits. Open mesh and chain link fences around cemeteries, sports fields, parks and similar are exempt from the maximum heights.
- Barbed, electrified or razor wire is banned, with a limited barbed-wire exception in M-1, M-2 and P-2 zones.
- Sight triangle, Bylaw 1850 (residential and CD zones): nothing over 1 m high may block more than 20% of visibility within the triangle formed by the parcel lines and a line joining points 3 m from where they meet. In the Alpine Resort area, nothing over 1 m may obstruct vision within 6 m (3 m in RHA and LA zones).
- A fence on a retaining wall at or within 1.2 m of a property line is measured from grade on the high side. A retaining wall face may be 2 m at most.
- Retaining walls: the Building Bylaw says in one place that walls under 1.5 m are exempt, and in another that 1.2 m or higher needs a permit. Confirm with the Building Official.
- Pool, spa or hot tub fences (Building Bylaw Part 14): at least 1.2 m high, no openings over 100 mm, and a self-closing, self-latching gate.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated, PDF)](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133474)
- [Alpine Resort Zoning Bylaw No. 2016, 1999 (consolidated, PDF)](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133475)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018 (PDF)](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/122885)

## Related questions

- [Kimberley permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Kimberley zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Kimberley building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules.md)
- [Cranbrook](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/fence-rules.md)
- [Canal Flats](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/canal-flats/fence-rules.md)
- [Fernie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/fence-rules.md)
- [Creston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/fence-rules.md)
- [Kaslo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/fence-rules.md)
- [Sparwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sparwood/fence-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026) (PDF), City of Kimberley](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133474) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Alpine Resort Zoning Bylaw No. 2016, 1999 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026) (PDF), City of Kimberley](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/133475) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018 (PDF), City of Kimberley](https://kimberley.civicweb.net/document/122885) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permits & Inspections, City of Kimberley](https://www.kimberley.ca/development/building/permits-inspections) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Kimberley. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/fence-rules/_