{"title":"District of North Vancouver fence rules: permits and height limits","question":"Do I need a permit to build a fence, and how high can it be in the District of North Vancouver?","slug":"fence-rules","place":{"path":"ca/bc/north-vancouver-district","name":"District of North Vancouver","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 North Vancouver","url":"https://www.dnv.org"},"short_answer":"In the District of North Vancouver (not the City), a fence the Zoning Bylaw allows needs no building permit. In the older single-family zones the limit is 6 ft, or 8 ft more than 25 ft back from a street-facing lot line. For the newer R1 and R2 zones, check with the District.","aliases":["fence height district of north vancouver","fence bylaw dnv","pool fence north vancouver district","retaining wall permit north vancouver district"],"cost":"No building permit fee for a fence the Zoning Bylaw permits. Retaining walls over 3 ft need a building permit; see building-permit-fees.","how_long":"Not applicable for an ordinary fence.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Building Department","value":"604-990-2480","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed statutory holidays; permit inquiries by appointment"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Department email","value":"building@dnv.org"},{"type":"phone","label":"Planning Department","value":"604-990-2387"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC V7N 4N5"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 3210 (PDF)","url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/bylaw-3210.pdf"},{"title":"Section 525 to Zoning Bylaw 3210, R1 and R2 zones (PDF)","url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/zoning-guide-section-525.pdf"},{"title":"Fence Height Regulations (PDF)","url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/fence-height-regulations.pdf"},{"title":"Construction Bylaw 8271, 2017 (PDF)","url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%208271.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"District of North Vancouver permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"District of North Vancouver zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"District of North Vancouver building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver","name":"North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/west-vancouver","name":"West Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vancouver","name":"Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/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":"No building permit for a fence that the Zoning Bylaw permits (pool enclosures are covered by the Construction Bylaw). Retaining walls over 3 ft need a building permit.","short":"No building permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%208271.pdf","title":"Construction Bylaw 8271, 2017 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.3.2","quotes":["a fence permitted to be constructed under the Zoning Bylaw, except as provided"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/zoning-guide-single-family-residential-1-5.pdf","title":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/zoning-guide-single-family-residential-1-5.pdf","section":"Section A","quotes":["retaining walls greater than 3 ft."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_front":{"label":"Height, front yard","value":"6 ft (1.8 m) maximum in the older single-family (RS) zones; taller (up to 8 ft) only more than 25 ft back from a lot line facing a street. In R1 and R2, Section 525 says its projections section replaces s. 409 and states no fence height. The District's fence sheet still shows 6 ft and 8 ft; confirm with the Building Department.","short":"6 ft (1.8 m) in RS zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/bylaw-3210.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3210 (PDF)","section":"s. 409(4)(a), (b)","quotes":["fences and free-standing walls 6.0 feet or less in height may be constructed on any portion of the lot","Fences and free-standing walls 8.0 feet or less in height may be constructed in any open space 25.0 feet to the rear of a lot line facing a street"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/fence-height-regulations.pdf","title":"Fence Height Regulations (PDF)","section":"Fence Height Regulations","quotes":["Street 6 ft. high max"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/zoning-guide-section-525.pdf","title":"Section 525 to Zoning Bylaw 3210, R1 and R2 zones (PDF)","section":"R1/R2 s. 525-3.10(16)(a)","quotes":["Exemptions from all Setbacks, this section replaces","Section 409 Siting Exceptions."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_side_rear":{"label":"Height, side and rear yards","value":"In the older single-family (RS) zones: 6 ft (1.8 m) maximum, or up to 8 ft more than 25 ft behind a lot line facing a street; over 8 ft must meet the zone's building rules. R1 and R2: Section 525 replaces s. 409 and gives no fence height; confirm with the Building Department.","short":"6 ft (1.8 m) in RS zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/bylaw-3210.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3210 (PDF)","section":"s. 409(4)(b), (c)","quotes":["Fences and free-standing walls 8.0 feet or less in height may be constructed in any open space 25.0 feet to the rear of a lot line facing a street","Fences and free-standing walls over eight feet in height shall conform to the size, shape and siting regulations for building within the zone"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/zoning-guide-section-525.pdf","title":"Section 525 to Zoning Bylaw 3210, R1 and R2 zones (PDF)","section":"R1/R2 s. 525-3.10(16)(a)","quotes":["Exemptions from all Setbacks, this section replaces","Section 409 Siting Exceptions."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"corner_lots":{"label":"Corner lots and sightlines","value":"Hedges and bushes used as fencing are not height-regulated, but must not create a visual impairment for traffic or traffic signs. The District's corner-lot diagram applies the 6 ft limit within 25 ft of the street side as well.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/fence-height-regulations.pdf","title":"Fence Height Regulations (PDF)","section":"Fence Height Regulations","quotes":["Heights of hedges or bushes that are used as","care must be taken that a visual impairment is not created for traffic or traffic signs","from street side of property line"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_rules":{"label":"Other rules","value":"Place fences on or within the property line. A fence on a retaining wall counts toward total height. Hedges are not regulated. Pool, spa or hot tub fence: at least 1.2 m high, openings no more than 100 mm, self-closing and self-latching gate. Retaining walls in setbacks (RS zones): 3 ft at the outer face, rising at 35 degrees to 8 ft.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/fence-height-regulations.pdf","title":"Fence Height Regulations (PDF)","section":"Fence Height Regulations","quotes":["Placement of same must","be on, or within, the property lines.","the total height must remain within the","prescribed regulation as well"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/bylaw-3210.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3210 (PDF)","section":"s. 409(3)","quotes":["Retaining walls may be constructed within the required setback area of a lot when the wall or walls do not extend above a line commencing 3.0 feet"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%208271.pdf","title":"Construction Bylaw 8271, 2017 (PDF)","section":"Part 8, s. 8.2, 8.3","quotes":["having a minimum height of 1.2 meters and no openings greater than 100","Access through a fence enclosing a pool, spa or hot tub must be only through a self-"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw 3210, s. 409(4) (RS zones; replaced for R1/R2 by Section 525). Over-height fence: bylaw notice $100 ($75 within 14 days, $150 late); municipal ticket also $100 (s. 1207).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/bylaw-3210.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3210 (PDF)","section":"s. 409(4) and Part 1","quotes":["District of North Vancouver Zoning Bylaw, 1965","Fences and free-standing walls:","Pursuant to sections 264(1)(c) and 265(1)(a) of the Community Charter, the table below"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Zoning Bylaw 3210","quotes":["409(4) Over-height Fence 100 75 150"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nA fence that the Zoning Bylaw permits is not covered by the [Construction Bylaw](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%208271.pdf>), so it needs no building permit. Pool enclosures are covered by that bylaw. Retaining walls over 3 ft need a building permit.\n\nHeight limits are in [Zoning Bylaw 3210](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/bylaw-3210.pdf>), s. 409(4). This is the District of North Vancouver, not the City of North Vancouver.\n\n- **Older single-family (RS) zones:** 6 ft (1.8 m) maximum. A fence may be taller, up to 8 ft, only more than 25 ft back from a lot line facing a street. Over 8 ft must meet the zone's building rules.\n- **R1 and R2 zones:** [Section 525](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/zoning-guide-section-525.pdf>) says its table of permitted projections replaces s. 409 and does not state a fence height. The District's [Fence Height Regulations](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/fence-height-regulations.pdf>) sheet still shows 6 ft and 8 ft, but check with the Building Department before you build.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find out your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer).\n2. Call the Building Department (604-990-2480) or email building@dnv.org to confirm the height rule for your zone, especially R1 or R2.\n3. Place the fence on or within your property line.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- A fence on a retaining wall counts toward total height. Retaining walls in setbacks (RS zones) are 3 ft at the outer face, rising at 35 degrees to 8 ft.\n- Hedges and bushes used as fencing are not height-regulated, but must not create a visual impairment for traffic or traffic signs. The District's corner-lot diagram applies the 6 ft limit within 25 ft of the street side as well.\n- Fences up to 12 ft are allowed in industrial zones, or with open wire mesh where needed for a recreational use.\n- Pool, spa or hot tub fence: at least 1.2 m high, openings no more than 100 mm, with a self-closing, self-latching gate.\n- An over-height fence is a $100 bylaw notice ($75 within 14 days, $150 late), under the [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.pdf>). A municipal ticket is also $100.","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/bylaw-3210.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3210 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/zoning-guide-section-525.pdf","title":"Section 525 to Zoning Bylaw 3210, R1 and R2 zones (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/fence-height-regulations.pdf","title":"Fence Height Regulations (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%208271.pdf","title":"Construction Bylaw 8271, 2017 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/zoning-guide-single-family-residential-1-5.pdf","title":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/zoning-guide-single-family-residential-1-5.pdf","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/north-vancouver-district/fence-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/fence-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/fence-rules.json"}}