{"title":"Mackenzie fence rules: permits and height limits","question":"Do I need a permit to build a fence, and how high can it be?","slug":"fence-rules","place":{"path":"ca/bc/mackenzie","name":"Mackenzie","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Mackenzie","url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca"},"short_answer":"In Mackenzie a fence can be 1.2 m high in a front yard and 1.8 m along side and rear lines in residential zones. Neither the Zoning Bylaw nor the Building Bylaw mentions a fence permit, so confirm with the District before you build.","aliases":["fence height mackenzie","fence permit district of mackenzie","backyard fence rules mackenzie bc","fence bylaw mackenzie"],"cost":"The bylaws do not state a fence permit fee.","how_long":"Not applicable; no fence permit is mentioned in the bylaws.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"District Main Office (Corporate Services)","value":"250-997-3221"},{"type":"in_person","label":"District Main Office","value":"1 Mackenzie Boulevard, Mackenzie, BC V0J 2C0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF)","url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Mackenzie building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/building-permit/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Mackenzie permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Mackenzie zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/chetwynd","name":"Chetwynd","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hudsons-hope","name":"Hudson's Hope","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/tumbler-ridge","name":"Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fort-st-james","name":"Fort St James","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vanderhoof","name":"Vanderhoof","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/prince-george","name":"Prince George","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/fence-rules/"}],"topic":{"title":"Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules/"},"facts":{"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"The Zoning Bylaw sets fence heights but says nothing about a fence permit. The Building Bylaw defines 'structure' as excluding a fence, so its building permit rule does not cover fences.","short":"No fence permit stated","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"s. 3.1 \"structure\"","quotes":["but excludes a fence"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"height_front":{"label":"Height, front yard","value":"1.2 m in a front yard, in all zones.","short":"1.2 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Section 4, 'Fences' item 5","quotes":["Fences in a front yard in all zones shall not exceed a height of 1.2 metres."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"height_side_rear":{"label":"Height, side and rear yards","value":"1.8 m along interior and rear parcel lines in R-zones (where not next to a highway), and 1.8 m on the exterior parcel line of a residential parcel. In P, M or C zones: 2.4 m in any side or rear yard.","short":"1.8 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Section 4, 'Fences' items 4, 6 and 8","quotes":["Fences along interior and rear parcel lines (where not adjacent to a highway) in R-zones shall not exceed a height of 1.8 metres.","Fences on the exterior parcel line of a residential parcel may not exceed 1.8 metres.","shall have a maximum height of 2.4 metres on any side or rear yard"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"corner_lots":{"label":"Corner lots and sightlines","value":"On a corner parcel, within the space 6.0 m back from the corner of the curb lines, no landscaping, screening, building or structure may be higher than 0.5 m above the street grade. Fences may be built in a required setback except in the sight triangle.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Section 4, 'Vision Clearance at Intersections'","quotes":["no landscaping screening, building or structure will be planted or erected to a height greater than 0.5 metres above the established grade of the street"]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Section 4, 'Fences' item 2","quotes":["with exception to that portion of a parcel that is within the sight triangle"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"other_rules":{"label":"Other rules","value":"Height is measured from average finished ground at the fence base to its top, including any retaining wall or berm under it. Barbed wire only on fences in M or A zones. Highway-side fences must be permeable. Materials must suit the zone. Uncovered pools must be fenced.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Section 4, 'Fences' items 1 to 3 and 7","quotes":["from the average finished ground","Barbed wire may only be used on the top of fences located on parcels in the M-zones or A-zones.","Fences adjacent to a highway shall be constructed with a permeable style.","the height of the fence shall include the height of the supporting structure","Located within a fenced yard or surrounded by a fence","Fence and wall materials shall be consistent with the character of the zone in which they are to be located.","Where the fence or wall is adjacent to the property line, the height shall be measured with reference to the grade of the abutting property."]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Section 4, 'Fences' item 2","quotes":["with the exception of the required setback to a watercourse"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, Section 4 (General Regulations), 'Fences'.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","section":"Section 4","quotes":["Fences in a front yard in all zones"]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/government-town-hall/bylaws-and-regulations/","title":"Bylaws and Regulations, District of Mackenzie","section":"Frequently requested bylaws","quotes":["Bylaw No. 1368, Amended by 1517, 1518"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe \"Fences\" rules in the District of Mackenzie's [Zoning Bylaw No. 1368](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf) set fence heights but say nothing about a fence permit. The Building Bylaw defines \"structure\" so that it excludes a fence, so its building permit rule does not cover fences. Confirm with the District before you build.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer).\n2. Check the height limits below.\n3. Call the District at 250-997-3221 if you are unsure about permits or your lot lines.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Front yard: 1.2 m, in all zones.\n- Interior and rear lines in residential (R) zones, where not next to a highway: 1.8 m. The exterior parcel line of a residential parcel: 1.8 m.\n- In P, M or C zones: 2.4 m in any side or rear yard. Open mesh and chain link fences for a P-zone, cemetery, public works, utility, public playground, park or school may be up to 3.0 m.\n- Corner parcels: within 6.0 m back from the corner of the curb lines, nothing (landscaping, screening, building or structure) may be higher than 0.5 m above the street grade. Fences may be built in a required setback except in this sight triangle.\n- Height is measured from the average finished ground at the fence base to its top, including any retaining wall or berm under it.\n- Barbed wire is allowed only on fences in M or A zones. Fences next to a highway must be permeable. Materials must suit the zone. Uncovered pools must be fenced.","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Bylaw-No.-1368-Zoning-Industrial-and-Townsite-Maps.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1066-1185-1320-Building-Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1066, 2000 (PDF), District of Mackenzie","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/government-town-hall/bylaws-and-regulations/","title":"Bylaws and Regulations, District of Mackenzie","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/fence-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/fence-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/fence-rules.json"}}