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Kimberley fence rules: permits and height limits

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

Kimberley, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

PermitNo building permit: the Building Bylaw does not apply to a fence (retaining walls are covered separately). Zoning rules on height and location still apply.Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018, s. 3.3(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
a fence, except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining Walls] of this bylaw;
Height, front yard2.15 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.11(9) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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).
Height, side and rear yards2.15 m (7 ft) in all yards (same limit as the front yard), in all zones except Industrial and Public zones.Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.11(9) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The maximum height of a fence in all yards shall be 2.15 metres (7 ft).
Corner lots and sightlinesBylaw 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).Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.09(3)(c); Alpine Resort Zoning Bylaw No. 2016, 1999 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
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.)
Other rulesBarbed, 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.11; Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018, Part 14, ss. 14.2-14.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
having a minimum height of 1.2 metres and no openings greater than 100 mm at their greatest
self-closing and self-latching gate
BylawZoning 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).Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.11; Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018, s. 3.3(a); Alpine Resort Zoning Bylaw No. 2016, 1999 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.14 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
RETAINING WALLS, FENCING, SCREENING AND LANDSCAPING
a fence, except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining Walls] of this bylaw;
The maximum height of a fence in all yards shall be 2.15 metres (7 ft).

How it works

Building Bylaw 2620, 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; the alpine resort area has its own Alpine Resort Zoning Bylaw 2016. 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

The same question in other places

Cranbrook · Canal Flats · Fernie · Creston · Kaslo · Sparwood

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026) (PDF), City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Alpine Resort Zoning Bylaw No. 2016, 1999 (consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026) (PDF), City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Building Bylaw No. 2620, 2018 (PDF), City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Building Permits & Inspections, City of Kimberley (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. How answers are checked.