---
title: "Pemberton fence rules: permits and height limits"
question: "Do I need a fence permit in Pemberton, and how high can my fence be?"
place: Pemberton, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/pemberton
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: Village of Pemberton
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pemberton/fence-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pemberton/fence-rules.json"
---

# Pemberton fence rules: permits and height limits

**Question:** Do I need a fence permit in Pemberton, and how high can my fence be?

**Short answer:** Pemberton’s guide lists front fences under 1.2 metres and rear fences under 1.8 metres among projects exempt from a building permit. Ask the Village about side yards, corner lots or a fence at the threshold.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Pemberton, https://www.pemberton.ca)  
**Where:**
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 604-894-6135

## Key facts

- **Permit:** Pemberton’s guide lists front fences under 1.2 metres and rear fences under 1.8 metres among projects exempt from a building permit.
  - Source: [Pemberton Good Neighbour Guide, PDF p. 1](https://www.pemberton.ca/public/download/files/323896)
  - Official wording: "installing fences less than 1.2 metres in height at the front or 1.8 meters in height at the rear;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Height, front yard:** In a residential front yard, the usual maximum is 1.2 m. A fence may reach 2 m if the portion above 1.2 m uses transparent mesh.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018, Zoning Bylaw, section 7.15(a)–(b)](https://www.pemberton.ca/public/download/files/322446)
  - Official wording: "7.15 Fences (Amendment Bylaw No. 862, 2019/Adopted May 7, 2019) (a) Except as otherwise specifically stated in this Bylaw; i. The height of a fence or wall shall be measured to the highest point from, and perpendicular to, a line representing the average natural grade level at its base, including where a fence or wall is constructed above a retaining wall; ii. The maximum height of a fence shall not exceed 1.2 m in a front yard and not more than 1.8 m on all other parts of a lot in a residential zone. (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above; i. the fence height may be increased to 2.0 m in a front yard provided Village of Pemberton Zoning Bylaw 832, 2018 63 transparent mesh is used for the portion of fence that is more than 1.2 m in height;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Height, side and rear yards:** In a residential zone the usual limit outside the front yard is 1.8 m. Other zones have a 2.5 m limit, subject to the bylaw’s exceptions.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018, Zoning Bylaw, section 7.15(a)–(b)](https://www.pemberton.ca/public/download/files/322446)
  - Official wording: "7.15 Fences (Amendment Bylaw No. 862, 2019/Adopted May 7, 2019) (a) Except as otherwise specifically stated in this Bylaw; i. The height of a fence or wall shall be measured to the highest point from, and perpendicular to, a line representing the average natural grade level at its base, including where a fence or wall is constructed above a retaining wall; ii. The maximum height of a fence shall not exceed 1.2 m in a front yard and not more than 1.8 m on all other parts of a lot in a residential zone. (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above; i. the fence height may be increased to 2.0 m in a front yard provided Village of Pemberton Zoning Bylaw 832, 2018 63 transparent mesh is used for the portion of fence that is more than 1.2 m in height; ii. the maximum height of a fence shall not exceed 2.5 m in any other zone;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Corner lots and sightlines:** Not confirmed. Checked Pemberton Good Neighbour Guide, Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018; not found there.
- **Other rules:** Measure to the highest point from the average natural grade at the base, including above a retaining wall. Specified recreational fences using see-through materials have a height exception.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018, Zoning Bylaw, section 7.15](https://www.pemberton.ca/public/download/files/322446)
  - Official wording: "i. The height of a fence or wall shall be measured to the highest point from, and perpendicular to, a line representing the average natural grade level at its base, including where a fence or wall is constructed above a retaining wall;" … "iii. Fences used in association with recreational uses, such as playing fields, golf courses, driving ranges and tennis courts shall not be limited in height, provided such fences are constructed of materials that permit visibility, such as transparent mesh; and iv. Fences may be constructed on any portion of a lot, including within a required setback area, except closed fences and landscape screens shall be less than 2.0 m in height when sited in a required setback area from a lot line adjoining any residential use."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** Village of Pemberton Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018, section 7.15.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018, Zoning Bylaw, section 7.15](https://www.pemberton.ca/public/download/files/322446)
  - Official wording: "ZONING BYLAW VILLAGE OF PEMBERTON BYLAW NO. 832, 2018 CONSOLIDATED VERSION Final Readings July 24, 2018 LAST OFFICE CONSOLIDATION: December 18, 2025" … "7.15 Fences (Amendment Bylaw No. 862, 2019/Adopted May 7, 2019) (a) Except as otherwise specifically stated in this Bylaw; i. The height of a fence or wall shall be measured to the highest point from, and perpendicular to, a line representing the average natural grade level at its base, including where a fence or wall is constructed above a retaining wall; ii. The maximum height of a fence shall not exceed 1.2 m in a front yard and not more than 1.8 m on all other parts of a lot in a residential zone."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## How it works

Sketch the lot before choosing a fence height. Show the street, the front of the building, each length of proposed fence and any intersection or driveway near it. The same fence can cross more than one regulated area. In a residential front yard, the usual maximum is 1.2 m. A fence may reach 2 m if the portion above 1.2 m uses transparent mesh.

## Steps

1. Check the fence provisions in [Pemberton Good Neighbour Guide (PDF)](https://www.pemberton.ca/public/download/files/323896). Find the rule for each segment and the point from which height is measured. Mark where a segment changes from one yard or regulated area to another.
2. For a corner lot, also check visibility requirements. If the site slopes or the fence sits on a retaining wall, describe that to the planning office before ordering panels.

## Good to know

- In a residential zone the usual limit outside the front yard is 1.8 m. Other zones have a 2.5 m limit, subject to the bylaw’s exceptions.
- Measure to the highest point from the average natural grade at the base, including above a retaining wall. Specified recreational fences using see-through materials have a height exception.
- Enter your address on Pemberton’s map or locate the parcel manually.
- Include any gates, screens or changes in material on your sketch. Ask planning to identify the applicable clause if it is unclear where a limit changes.
- For a question about which yard the fence crosses and whether the corner has a sightline requirement, call the Municipal Hall at 604-894-6135. A sketch showing the street, house and proposed fence will help identify which limits you need.
- Read the applicable provisions in [Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018 (PDF)](https://www.pemberton.ca/public/download/files/322446).

## Related questions

- [Pemberton secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pemberton/secondary-suite.md)
- [Pemberton zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pemberton/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules.md)
- [Whistler](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/fence-rules.md)
- [Lillooet](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/fence-rules.md)
- [Lytton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lytton/fence-rules.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/fence-rules.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/fence-rules.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/fence-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Pemberton Good Neighbour Guide (PDF)](https://www.pemberton.ca/public/download/files/323896) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018 (PDF)](https://www.pemberton.ca/public/download/files/322446) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Using the Village geographic information system (PDF)](https://www.pemberton.ca/public/download/files/251768) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Pemberton municipal office contact information](https://www.pemberton.ca/contact) (read 2026-11-09)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Village of Pemberton. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pemberton/fence-rules/_