{"title":"Port Coquitlam 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/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","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":"City of Port Coquitlam","url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca"},"short_answer":"In Port Coquitlam the Zoning Bylaw limits fences to 1.2 m in the front setback area and 2.5 m behind it, and 1 m near corners. Fences are not listed as needing a building permit, but the City does not say so outright; confirm with the Building Division.","aliases":["fence height port coquitlam","fence bylaw poco","backyard fence rules","front yard fence height"],"cost":"No fee stated for fences. A retaining structure 1.5 m or higher is not excluded from the permit requirement.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Building","value":"604-927-5444"},{"type":"email","label":"Building","value":"building@portcoquitlam.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf"},{"title":"Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)","url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Port Coquitlam permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Port Coquitlam building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/anmore","name":"Anmore","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/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":"Not stated for fences specifically. The Building and Plumbing Bylaw requires a permit for a building, retaining wall, swimming pool or other structure, and defines 'structure' to exclude fences, landscaping, paving and retaining structures under 1.5 m high.","short":"Not stated for fences","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)","section":"s. 8.1.1 and s. 2.1 (Structure)","quotes":["relocating, reconstructing, repairing, or altering a building, retaining wall, swimming pool or other structure;","but specifically excludes landscaping, fences, paving and retaining structures less than 1.5 meters in height."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_front":{"label":"Height, front yard","value":"1.2 m. Fences and walls up to 1.2 m high may be sited on any part of the lot, including the front setback area. A decorative feature such as a fence arbor is allowed in the front setback area up to 2.5 m high, 2 m wide and 1 m deep.","short":"1.2 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","section":"Section III, s. 8.3 and 8.4","quotes":["fences and walls not exceeding a height of 1.2m may be sited on any portion of a lot","a decorative fence feature such as a fence arbor is permitted in the front setback area, and limited to a maximum height of 2.5m, maximum width of 2m, and maximum depth of 1m."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_side_rear":{"label":"Height, side and rear yards","value":"2.5 m, on the part of the lot to the rear of the front setback area. In the A (agricultural) zone, a fence for an agricultural use to the rear of the front setback area has no height limit.","short":"2.5 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","section":"Section III, s. 8.3 and 8.5","quotes":["fences and walls up to a height of 2.5m may be sited on that portion of a lot that is to the rear of the front setback area.","In the A zone, a fence for an agricultural use to the rear of the front setback area is not subject to a height limit."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"corner_lots":{"label":"Corner lots and sightlines","value":"Any part of a fence, wall, landscape screen or other landscaping within a triangle measured 5 m each way from where a street or lane meets another street or lane must not exceed 1 m high. Parking spaces and outdoor storage are also not allowed in that triangle.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","section":"Section III, s. 8.6","quotes":["That portion of a fence, wall, landscape screen or any other landscaping that is located within a triangular area measured 5m each way from the point of intersection of a street or lane","with any other street or lane must not exceed a height of 1m."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_rules":{"label":"Other rules","value":"Height is measured from finished grade; for a fence, where the posts meet the ground. A 'fence' is a vertical structure for enclosure or screening no more than 8 cm thick. A pool or pond deeper than 0.75 m must be fenced at least 1.8 m high (1.2 m if it existed on August 9, 1977), with self-latching gates, except ponds exempted by s. 21.6 (such as on City land).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","section":"Section I (Height; Finished grade; Fence)","quotes":["Height means the vertical distance from the finished grade adjacent to a building, structure, fence or wall to:","and, in the case of a fence, means the elevation of the point at which the posts intersect with the ground.","Fence means a vertical structure used for enclosure or screening where the thickness is equal to or less than 8cm excluding top and bottom rails and posts."]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)","section":"s. 21.3 and 21.4","quotes":["of a depth at any point in excess of 0.75 metres shall be surrounded by a fence or","a height of 1.8 metres if the pool structure was not in existence on August 9th, 1977.","a height of 1.2 metres if the pool structure was in existence on August 9th 1977, or","All gates to a pool or ponds shall be self-latching","Section 21.3 of this Bylaw does not apply to any pond or pool:","constructed on land owned or controlled by the City, the Province"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw, 2008, No. 3630, Section III, s. 8 (fences, 8.3 to 8.6); Building and Plumbing Bylaw, 2009, No. 3710, s. 21 (pool fences)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","section":"Title page","quotes":["ZONING BYLAW, 2008 Bylaw No. 3630"]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","section":"Section III, s. 8","quotes":["8. SCREENING, LANDSCAPING, OUTDOOR STORAGE AND FENCES"]},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)","section":"s. 21","quotes":["conditions and drainage. 21. Swimming Pools 21.1 Every application for a permit for a swimming pool shall be accompanied with a","CITY OF PORT COQUITLAM BYLAW NO. 3710 A Bylaw relating to Building and Plumbing"]}],"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\nThe City of Port Coquitlam regulates fence height in Section III, s. 8 of [Zoning Bylaw 3630](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf). Height is measured from finished grade; for a fence, where the posts meet the ground. A \"fence\" is a vertical structure for enclosure or screening no more than 8 cm thick.\n\nThe [Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf) defines \"structure\" to exclude fences, landscaping, paving and retaining structures under 1.5 m high. Neither it nor the City's pages say outright that a fence needs no permit, so confirm with the Building Division.\n\n## Height limits\n\n- Front setback area: up to 1.2 m. Fences and walls to 1.2 m may go on any part of the lot.\n- Behind the front setback area: up to 2.5 m. In the A (agricultural) zone, a fence for an agricultural use there has no height limit.\n- Within a triangle 5 m each way from where a street or lane meets another: no higher than 1 m. Parking and outdoor storage are also barred there.\n- A decorative feature such as a fence arbour is allowed in the front setback area up to 2.5 m high, 2 m wide and 1 m deep.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- A pool or pond deeper than 0.75 m must be fenced at least 1.8 m high (1.2 m if it existed on August 9, 1977), with self-latching gates. Some ponds, such as on City land, are exempt.\n- Retaining structures of 1.5 m or more are not excluded from the building bylaw, so ask the Building Division at 604-927-5444.\n- The bylaws read do not set rules on fence materials.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/contact-us/building","title":"Building contact, City of Port Coquitlam","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","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/port-coquitlam/fence-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/fence-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/fence-rules.json"}}