---
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?"
place: Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-coquitlam
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Port Coquitlam
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/fence-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/fence-rules.json"
---

# Port Coquitlam 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 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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Port Coquitlam, https://www.portcoquitlam.ca)  
**Cost:** No fee stated for fences. A retaining structure 1.5 m or higher is not excluded from the permit requirement.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building, 604-927-5444
- Email: Building, building@portcoquitlam.ca

## Key facts

- **Permit:** 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.
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 8.1.1 and s. 2.1 (Structure)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, front yard:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3630, Section III, s. 8.3 and 8.4](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, side and rear yards:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3630, Section III, s. 8.3 and 8.5](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Corner lots and sightlines:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3630, Section III, s. 8.6](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other rules:** 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).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3630, Section I (Height; Finished grade; Fence)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 21.3 and 21.4](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** 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)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3630, Title page](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf)
  - Official wording: "ZONING BYLAW, 2008 Bylaw No. 3630"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3630, Section III, s. 8](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf)
  - Official wording: "8. SCREENING, LANDSCAPING, OUTDOOR STORAGE AND FENCES"
  - Source: [Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710, s. 21](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The 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.

The [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.

## Height limits

- Front setback area: up to 1.2 m. Fences and walls to 1.2 m may go on any part of the lot.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.

## Good to know

- 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.
- Retaining structures of 1.5 m or more are not excluded from the building bylaw, so ask the Building Division at 604-927-5444.
- The bylaws read do not set rules on fence materials.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf)
- [Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Port Coquitlam permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Port Coquitlam building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/fence-rules.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/fence-rules.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/fence-rules.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/fence-rules.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/fence-rules.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/fence-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw 3630 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/3630%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw%202008.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building and Plumbing Bylaw 3710 (PDF)](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/3710%20-%20Building%20%26%20Plumbing%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building contact, City of Port Coquitlam](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/contact-us/building) (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 City of Port Coquitlam. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/fence-rules/_