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

# North Saanich 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 North Saanich a fence under 2 m high needs no building permit; a fence 2 m or higher does. Zoning limits apply either way: in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 single family zones, fences may be 1.2 m high in the front yard and 1.9 m elsewhere.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of North Saanich, https://www.northsaanich.ca)  
**Cost:** A fence under 2 m needs no permit. A permit for a fence 2 m or higher is charged under the building permit fees; see the building-permit-fees answer.  
**How long:** Not applicable for a fence under 2 m. For a permit, see the building-permit answer.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building department, 250-655-5470
- In person: Municipal Hall, 1620 Mills Road, North Saanich, BC V8L 5S9

## Key facts

- **Permit:** No building permit for a fence under 2 m (6.56 ft.) high; a fence 2 m or higher needs one. A retaining wall 1 m or higher also needs a permit and a registered professional's design.
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 (PDF, consolidated March 18, 2019), s. 1.3 'structure'](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1150-Building-Plumbing-Bylaw-CONSOLIDATED-March-18-2019.pdf)
  - Official wording: "fences under 2 meter (6.56 ft.) in height; and"
  - Source: [Do I need a Building Permit? (PDF, April 2020), Do I need a Building Permit? brochure (April 2020)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/When-building-permit-needed.pdf)
  - Official wording: "construct fences 2 metres (6.56’) in height or" … "construct retaining walls 1 metre ( 3.28’) in"
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 (PDF, consolidated March 18, 2019), s. 5.19](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1150-Building-Plumbing-Bylaw-CONSOLIDATED-March-18-2019.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A registered professional shall undertake the design and conduct field"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, front yard:** 1.2 m (4 ft.) in the front yard in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 single family zones. Rural Agricultural zones list no fence height limit.
  - Source: [Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (PDF, consolidated February 2023), s. 502.1.4(e)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(i) Front Yard – 1.2 metres (4 ft.)"
  - Source: [Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (PDF, consolidated February 2023), s. 502.3.4(e)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(i) Front Yard 1.2 metres (4 ft.)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, side and rear yards:** 1.9 m (6.23 ft.) in all other areas (side and rear yards) in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones.
  - Source: [Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (PDF, consolidated February 2023), s. 502.1.4(e)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(ii) All other areas – 1.9 metres (6.23 ft.)."
  - Source: [Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (PDF, consolidated February 2023), s. 502.3.4(e)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(ii) All other areas 1.9 metres (6.23 ft.)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Corner lots and sightlines:** On a corner lot, nothing over 0.5 m (1.64 ft.) above road grade (including a fence, retaining wall, landscaping or screening) may be within the triangle 6.0 m (19.68 ft.) each way from the corner where two roads meet.
  - Source: [Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (PDF, consolidated February 2023), s. 110.4](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "on a corner lot, no building or" … "structure, fence, retaining wall, landscaping or screening, or any visual obstruction above" … "the height of 0.5 m (1.64 ft.) of the established grade of a highway or road may be within" … "the triangular area measured 6.0 m (19.68 ft.) each way along the lot lines"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other rules:** A fence is a vertical structure that forms a boundary or screen. A pool over 1 m deep and 15 m² needs a sturdy fence at least 1.22 m high with a self-closing, self-latching gate. How height is measured and barbed wire are not addressed.
  - Source: [Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (PDF, consolidated February 2023), s. 102 'fence'](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "“fence” means a vertical structure used to form a boundary to enclose or screen a lot or an" … "area, but does not include a retaining wall;"
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 (PDF, consolidated March 18, 2019), s. 9.2.1, 9.3](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1150-Building-Plumbing-Bylaw-CONSOLIDATED-March-18-2019.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall be enclosed within a sturdy fence not less than 1.22 m in height" … "be continuous except for points of access which shall be equipped with"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (s. 110.4 and the 'Maximum Fence Height' line in each zone's accessory buildings table, e.g. s. 502.1.4(e)); Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 (permit, pools)
  - Source: [Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (PDF, consolidated February 2023), Cover and title](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "DISTRICT OF NORTH SAANICH ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT BYLAW NO. 1255"
  - Source: [Permits, Applying for a Building Permit](https://www.northsaanich.ca/lands-planning/building-or-renovating/permits)
  - Official wording: "Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

In the District of North Saanich, a fence under 2 m (6.56 ft) high does not need a building permit, and a fence 2 m or higher does ([Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1150-Building-Plumbing-Bylaw-CONSOLIDATED-March-18-2019.pdf)). A retaining wall 1 m or higher also needs a permit and a registered professional's design.

Zoning height limits apply whether or not a permit is needed. In the R-1, R-2 and R-3 single family zones, [Zoning Bylaw No. 1255](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf) allows 1.2 m (4 ft) in the front yard and 1.9 m (6.23 ft) in all other areas. The Rural Agricultural zones list no fence height limit.

## Steps

1. Check your zone on the District's online map (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. Keep the fence within the zone's height limit and clear of the corner sight triangle (below).
3. If the fence is 2 m or higher, apply for a building permit at Municipal Hall (see the building-permit answer).
4. If unsure, call the building department at 250-655-5470.

## Good to know

- On a corner lot, nothing over 0.5 m (1.64 ft) above road grade, including a fence, retaining wall, landscaping or screening, may be within 6.0 m (19.68 ft) of the corner where two roads meet (s. 110.4).
- A pool over 1 m deep and 15 m² needs a sturdy fence at least 1.22 m high with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
- "Exceed Fence Height" is a $130 municipal ticket ($100 if paid within 30 days) under Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1544, as of its 2022 version. Amounts may have changed.
- The bylaws do not say how fence height is measured or address barbed wire. Ask the building department.
- The zoning copy is the February 2023 consolidation, and later amendments exist. Confirm current limits with the District.

## Official forms and pages

- [Do I need a Building Permit? (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/When-building-permit-needed.pdf)
- [Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255, consolidated 2023 (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)
- [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1150-Building-Plumbing-Bylaw-CONSOLIDATED-March-18-2019.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/fence-rules.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/fence-rules.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/fence-rules.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/fence-rules.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/fence-rules.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/fence-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Do I need a Building Permit? (PDF, April 2020)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/When-building-permit-needed.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 (PDF, consolidated March 18, 2019)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1150-Building-Plumbing-Bylaw-CONSOLIDATED-March-18-2019.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning and Development Bylaw No. 1255 (PDF, consolidated February 2023)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1544 (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Municipal-Ticket-Information-Bylaw-No.-1544.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning, District of North Saanich](https://www.northsaanich.ca/lands-planning/zoning) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Permits, District of North Saanich](https://www.northsaanich.ca/lands-planning/building-or-renovating/permits) (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 District of North Saanich. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/fence-rules/_