Penticton fence rules: permits and height limits
Do I need a permit to build a fence, and how high can it be?
Short answer
A fence in the City of Penticton does not need a building permit, but the Zoning Bylaw sets height and material rules. The general limit is 1.2 m, and 1.8 m behind the front yard setback. Retaining walls over 1.2 m and swimming pool fences do need a permit.
Key facts
| Permit | No building permit is needed for a fence, except that a retaining wall needs one (Part 21) and a swimming pool fence is part of the pool permit. Zoning height and material rules still apply.Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024), s. 6.3(a); Building Permits, Which Projects don't Require a Permit?; Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024), s. 21.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingexcept as set out in Part 21 of this bylaw, a fence Fences, other than for swimming pools (note Zoning regulations for height and material restrictions) a person must not construct, or structurally repair, a retaining wall without a valid building permit. |
|---|---|
| Height, front yard | 1.2 m is the general fence limit; the bylaw allows 1.8 m behind the front yard setback, and 2.4 m next to a controlled access highway or in an agricultural or industrial zone.Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), sections 4.3 and 5.4, s. 5.4.1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe following height limitations shall apply to fences, decorative (non-retaining) 1.2 m; 1.8 m if situated behind the front yard setback; 2.4 m if in an agricultural or industrial zone. |
| Height, side and rear yards | 1.8 m in the interior, exterior and rear yard setbacks. 2.4 m next to a controlled access highway, or in an agricultural or industrial zone.Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), sections 4.3 and 5.4, s. 5.4.1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording1.8 m if situated within the interior, exterior, and rear yard setback; 2.4 m if situated adjacent to a controlled access highway; and 2.4 m if in an agricultural or industrial zone. |
| Corner lots and sightlines | Within the corner visibility triangle no fence, hedge, planting, tree, sign or structure may exceed 1.2 m. The triangle may be reduced to the area created by the building's actual setback. A driveway gate over 1.2 m high must be 6.0 m from the back of curb or sidewalk.Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), sections 4.3 and 5.4, s. 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.2.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo hedge, planting, tree, fence, triangle to a height greater than 1.2 m. the corner visbility triangle may be reduced to the Where a driveway gate exceeds 1.2 m in height, the minimum required distance from the driveway gate to the back of the curb or sidewalk shall be 6.0 m. |
| Other rules | Barbed wire and electric fencing are prohibited except in the A, M1, M2 and M3 zones; razor wire is prohibited everywhere. A fence on a retaining wall is measured separately. Retaining walls in required yards: 1.2 m max (2.4 m outside required yards). Pool fences: at least 1.22 m, no openings over 100 mm, self-closing gate.Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), sections 4.3 and 5.4, s. 5.4.1.2, 5.4.1.3, 5.4.2, 5.4.3; Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024), s. 20.4, 20.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBarbed wire and electric fencing is prohibited in all zones except for A, M1 M2 and Razor wire is prohibited in all zones. Retaining walls that are located within any required yards must not exceed a height of 1.2 m above approved grade. a height of 2.4 m above approved grade. the height of the fence and the height of the retaining wall shall be measured separately having a minimum height of 1.22m and no openings greater than 100mm at their greatest dimension. a self-closing and self-latching gate |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22, s. 5.4 (Fences and Retaining Walls) and s. 4.3 (Corner Visibility); pool fences in Building Bylaw No. 2021-21, Part 20.Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), sections 4.3 and 5.4, s. 5.4, s. 4.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingZoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 Fences and Retaining Walls |
How it works
The Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (section 5.4) sets fence rules in the City of Penticton. The Building Bylaw says no building permit is needed for a fence, except that a retaining wall needs one (Part 21) and a swimming pool fence is part of the pool permit (Part 20). Zoning height and material rules still apply.
Good to know
- Height: 1.2 m is the general limit. The bylaw allows 1.8 m behind the front yard setback and in the interior, exterior and rear yard setbacks, and 2.4 m next to a controlled access highway or in an agricultural or industrial zone.
- Corner lots: inside the corner visibility triangle, no fence, hedge, planting, tree, sign or structure may exceed 1.2 m. A driveway gate over 1.2 m high must be 6.0 m from the back of the curb or sidewalk.
- Barbed wire and electric fencing are prohibited except in the A, M1, M2 and M3 zones. Razor wire is prohibited everywhere.
- Retaining walls in required yards may be 1.2 m at most (2.4 m outside required yards). A fence on a retaining wall is measured separately.
- Pool fences must be at least 1.22 m high, with no openings over 100 mm and a self-closing gate.
- Fence offences can be ticketed: height is a $75 bylaw notice or a $150 municipal ticket; material is $100 or $200.
- Call the Building Department before building near creeks, lakes or steep slopes.
What you'll need
- Your property survey or lot lines, if a neighbour disputes where the fence goes
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Summerland · Peachland · Oliver · Keremeos · West Kelowna · Kelowna
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), sections 4.3 and 5.4 (PDF) (read 2026-10-29)
- Building Bylaw No. 2021-21 (consolidated March 21, 2024) (PDF), City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)
- Building Permits, City of Penticton (read 2026-10-29)
- Landscaping, Pools and Water Features, City of Penticton (read 2026-10-29)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2014-07 (consolidated October 2026), Appendix 4 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2012-5037 (consolidated June 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw No. 2012-5021 (consolidated June 2026) (PDF) (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. How answers are checked.