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Lantzville fence rules: permits and height limits

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

Lantzville, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Lantzville you do not need a building permit for a fence, but zoning rules still apply. Maximum fence height is set zone by zone: most zones allow 1.8 m or 2 m. Check your zone in the Zoning Bylaw, or ask Planning.

Key facts

PermitNo building permit is needed for a fence. Zoning rules and any development permit area rules still apply.Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 2.4(a), s. 2.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
fences, trellises, arbours, pergolas, or other similar landscape structures, retaining walls, swimming pools, playground structures, and pre-manufactured plastic coverall structures and sheds
an exemption from the requirement to obtain a building permit from the Municipality does not relieve any person from the requirement to comply with all provisions of the Building Code, the Zoning Bylaw and any other applicable bylaws
Height, front yardSet zone by zone. Most zones allow 1.8 m or 2 m for a fence anywhere on the parcel. Exceptions: Foothills zone front yard 1.2 m; Village Commercial zone lists a front-yard fence maximum of 0 m.Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), Foothills zone (FH) s. 6; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), Residential 1 zone (R1) s. 4; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), Estate zone (EST) s. 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Fence - Front 1.2 m
Fence (within front yard) 0m 0m
Carriage House without Garage Below 6m Secondary Structure 6m Fence 1.8 m Parcel Coverage 5. The maximum parcel coverage is 35%.
2 storeys 9 m and 2 storeys (north side of Lantzville Road) Fence 2m 2m Fence (within front yard) 0m 0m Parcel Coverage
Height, side and rear yardsSame zone-by-zone maximum: 1.8 m in most residential zones, 2 m in Estate, Rural and some others. Foothills zone side and rear yards: 1.8 m.Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), Foothills zone (FH) s. 6; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), Rural zone (RU) s. 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Fence – Side and Rear 1.8m
Any Structure 9m Fence 2m Schedule 'A' to District of Lantzville Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 18
Corner lots and sightlinesAt an intersection of two highways, nothing (building, structure or vegetation) may block the line of vision in the area bounded by the corner and a line 6 m back along each parcel line.Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.10 Intersection Visibility · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
there must not be any visual obstruction, either by buildings, structures or vegetation, to the line of vision in an area bounded by the centreline of intersecting parcel lines and a line adjoining each of the parcel lines 6 m from their point of intersection
Other rulesHeight is measured from the lower of natural or finished grade to the top, including lattice or wires. No barbed, razor or electric wire except in Agriculture and Light Industry zones or farm animal enclosures. Retaining walls: 1.2 m maximum unless supporting a house foundation or approved by development permit. Pools need a fence at least 1.2 m high with a self-closing gate.Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.4 Fences; Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.5 Retaining Walls · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Fence height is determined by measuring vertically from either natural grade or finished grade, whichever is lower, to the highest portion of the fence, including lattice or wires on top of the main structure of the fence.
a fence must not include barbed wire, razor wire, electric wire, ultra-barrier
Swimming pools must be fully enclosed by a perimeter fence at least 1.2 m in height
Except as required to support the foundation of a house, as determined by a Professional Engineer and approved by the Building Official, or as approved through a Development Permit issued by the Municipality, the maximum height of a single retaining wall is 1.2 m.
the maximum height of a single retaining wall is 1.2 m
BylawDistrict of Lantzville Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020, s. 2.4 (Fences), s. 2.5, s. 2.10 and each zone's height table; Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020, s. 2.4(a)Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), s. 2.4; Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 2.4(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
ZONING BYLAW NO. 180, 2020
fences, trellises, arbours, pergolas

How it works

A fence does not need a building permit under the District's Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020. Fence height and siting are set in the Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020. Fences may be built within the minimum setbacks. If your property is in a development permit area, check whether a development permit applies.

Height limits are set zone by zone. Most zones allow 1.8 m (R1 to R6, R8 and several special-area zones) or 2 m (Estate, Rural, Light Industry, Golf Course, Village Commercial) for a fence anywhere on the parcel. In the Foothills zone the front-yard limit is 1.2 m and side and rear yards are 1.8 m. The Village Commercial table lists a front-yard fence maximum of 0 m.

Steps

  1. Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer).
  2. Read that zone's table in the Zoning Bylaw for the fence height.
  3. Measure height from the lower of natural or finished grade to the top, including lattice or wires.

Good to know

  • No barbed, razor or electric wire except in Agriculture and Light Industry zones or farm animal enclosures.
  • Retaining walls: 1.2 m maximum unless the wall supports a house foundation or is approved by development permit.
  • Pools need a fence at least 1.2 m high with a self-closing gate.
  • At a corner where two highways meet, nothing may block the line of vision within 6 m back along each parcel line from the corner. The Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 200, 2021 also requires hedges and trees to be trimmed so sight lines stay clear.
  • Planning Department: planning@lantzville.ca, 250-933-8093.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Nanaimo · Parksville · Qualicum Beach · Sechelt · Ladysmith · Gibsons

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 180, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw No. 433, 2026), District of Lantzville (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Building Bylaw No. 182, 2020 (PDF, consolidated), District of Lantzville (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 200, 2021 (PDF), District of Lantzville (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Contact Information, District of Lantzville (read 2026-11-08)

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.