---
title: "Kitimat fence rules: permits and height limits"
question: "Do I need a permit to build a fence in Kitimat, and how high can it be?"
place: Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/kitimat
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/fence-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/fence-rules.json"
---

# Kitimat fence rules: permits and height limits

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

**Short answer:** In Kitimat you need a $10 fence permit before building any fence. In residential zones a fence in the required front yard may be up to 1.2 m high, and other fences within required yards up to 2 m. Apply on the District's fence permit form.

**Who handles it:** Municipal  
**Cost:** $10 fence permit (Schedule A, Kitimat Municipal Code).  
**How long:** The District does not state a processing time for fence permits. A fence needs an inspection; give at least 24 hours' notice.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Hall, 270 City Centre, Kitimat, BC V8C 2H7 (Office hours are not stated in the documents we read.)
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 250-632-8900
- Email: Community Planning and Development, planning@kitimat.ca

## Key facts

- **Permit:** Yes. A fence permit is required before construction of a fence, a partial fence or a security fence. The fee is $10. Apply on the District's fence permit form with a site plan showing the fence, property lines and buildings.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 13.2.1.1(f)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a fence permit before construction of a fence, a partial fence or security fence;" … "Fence or Security Fence $10.00"
  - Source: [Fence Permit Application 2024](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/fence-permit-application-2024.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Fee: $10.00" … "Please attach a site plan that shows the location of the proposed fence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, front yard:** In residential zones, no fence within a required front yard of 4.5 m may be higher than 1.2 m.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.4.1.15](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No fence located within a required front yard of 4.5 metres shall be higher than 1.2 metres."
  - Source: [Fence Permit Application 2024, Fence regulations sheet](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/fence-permit-application-2024.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(15) No fence located within a required front yard of"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, side and rear yards:** In residential zones, the maximum height of other fences within required yards is 2 m. A fence that is not within a required yard may be up to 3 m. Where a lot abuts an arterial or collector road, a fence up to 2.0 m may be maintained along a side or rear yard.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.4.1.16, 18, 20](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The maximum height of other fences within required yards shall be 2 metres." … "a fence up to 2.0m high may be maintained along a side or rear yard." … "The maximum height of any fence which is not located within a required yard shall be 3 metres."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Corner lots and sightlines:** Where a lot intersects two local roads, a fence up to 1.2 m may be kept along the frontage and the side yard abutting the road, from the front yard to the rear of the dwelling. Nothing may obstruct the line of vision between 1.0 m and 3.0 m above street grade within 25 m of the intersection of the street centre lines; no corner-lot fence may break s. 9.10.5.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.4.1.17, 9.4.1.19](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a fence up to 1.2m high may be maintained along frontage and the side yard" … "No fence which is on a corner lot shall contravene the provisions"
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.10.5.1](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "There shall be no obstruction to the line of vision between 1.0 metres to 3.0 metres above the established grade of streets" … "metres from their intersection"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other rules:** Pool, pond or water feature deeper than 0.5 m in a required yard: fence of 1.8 m or more, approved by the Building Inspector, locking gates. Retaining structures over 1.2 m need a registered professional. No shipping container as fencing on single-family or semi-detached lots. No fence on a boulevard except as the Code allows. Barbed or electrified wire is addressed only for greenbelt farm fences.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.4.1.11](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "must be enclosed on all sides by a fence of 1.8m or more." … "all gates provided with a locking device." … "boulevard or portion thereof except as provided in 9.10.4.10." … "be electrified, include barbed wire or wire mesh other than chain link."
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 13.2.11.2](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A registered professional shall undertake the design and conduct field reviews of the construction of a retaining structure greater than 1.2 metres in height"
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.2.1.21(c)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Shall not be used for fencing or screening on any Lot containing a Single Family or Semi-Detached Dwelling."
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.10.2.2](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall plant, erect, construct or place any tree, shrub, bush, hedge, fence, wall, sign, gravel or other object on any boulevard"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Kitimat Municipal Code, Part 9, Division 4 (Residential Zoning), s. 9.4.1.15 to 9.4.1.20, with Part 9 s. 9.10.5.1 (line of vision) and Part 13 s. 13.2.1.1(f) (fence permit)
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, Part 9 Div 4](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No fence located within a required front yard of 4.5 metres shall be higher than 1.2 metres."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

A fence permit is required before building a fence, a partial fence or a security fence (Part 13 of the [Kitimat Municipal Code](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)). The Code counts a gate, screen, trellis or non-retaining wall as a fence. The fee is $10. The permit form is issued by Community Planning and Development, with a site plan showing the fence, property lines and buildings.

Height limits below are for residential zones (Part 9, Division 4). The District's fence regulations sheet, included in the fence permit application, shows the same limits.

- Within the required 4.5 m front yard: no higher than 1.2 m.
- Other fences within required yards: no higher than 2 m.
- A fence not within a required yard: up to 3 m.
- Where a lot abuts an arterial or collector road, a fence up to 2.0 m may be kept along a side or rear yard.

## Steps

1. Check your zone with Community Planning and Development (planning@kitimat.ca, 250-632-8900).
2. Fill in the fence permit form and draw a site plan.
3. Pay the $10 fee and get the permit before building.
4. Give at least 24 hours' notice to book the inspection.

## Good to know

- Corner lots where two local roads meet: a fence up to 1.2 m may be kept along the frontage and the side yard next to the road, from the front yard to the rear of the dwelling. Nothing may block the line of vision between 1.0 m and 3.0 m above street grade within 25 m of the intersection of the street centrelines. Buildings on a corner site must be set back 4.5 m from property lines that adjoin a street.
- Pools, ponds or water features deeper than 0.5 m in a required yard need a fence of at least 1.8 m, approved by the Building Inspector, with locking gates.
- Retaining structures over 1.2 m need a registered professional.
- No shipping container may be used as fencing on single-family or semi-detached lots.
- No fence on a boulevard except as the Code allows.
- The Code text we read does not say how fence height is measured, and it addresses barbed or electrified wire only for greenbelt farm fences. Ask the District.

## Official forms and pages

- [Fence Permit Application 2024, District of Kitimat (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/fence-permit-application-2024.pdf)
- [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules.md)
- [Terrace](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/fence-rules.md)
- [Port Edward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/fence-rules.md)
- [Prince Rupert](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/fence-rules.md)
- [Telkwa](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/fence-rules.md)
- [Smithers](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/fence-rules.md)
- [Houston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/fence-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fence Permit Application 2024, District of Kitimat (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/fence-permit-application-2024.pdf) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/fence-rules/_