---
title: "Port Edward fence rules: permits and height limits"
question: "Do I need a permit to build a fence, and how high can it be?"
place: Port Edward, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-edward
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Port Edward
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/fence-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/fence-rules.json"
---

# Port Edward fence rules: permits and height limits

**Question:** Do I need a permit to build a fence, and how high can it be?

**Short answer:** Port Edward's bylaws do not mention a fence permit. Under the Zoning Bylaw, fences up to 1.2 m high can go anywhere on a lot, and taller fences (up to 2 m in most zones) are allowed only behind the required yards. A swimming pool must be fenced.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Port Edward, https://www.portedward.ca)  
**Cost:** No fence permit fee is stated.  
**How long:** Not applicable; no fence permit is mentioned.  
**Where:**
- Phone: District of Port Edward office, 250-628-3667 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Permit:** No fence permit is mentioned. The Building Bylaw's definition of "structure" excludes fences, and it requires permits for buildings and structures. A pool must be enclosed by a fence (see other rules).
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 3 (definition of Structure)](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "specifically excludes landscaping, fences, paving and retaining"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 9.1.1](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Height, front yard:** Fences and walls up to 1.2 m high may be located anywhere on a lot. Taller fences are only allowed to the rear of a required yard, so the front yard limit is 1.2 m (except for required screening).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Part 7, Screening Requirements](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "In all Zones, except for required screening, Fences and walls not greater" … "than 1.2 metres high may be located anywhere on a Lot." … "than 2 metres high may be located on any Lot to the rear of a required yard."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Height, side and rear yards:** Up to 2 m on any lot "to the rear of a required yard" (all zones except C3 and M). In C3 and M zones, up to 2.5 m to the rear of the required front yard.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Part 7, Screening Requirements](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "than 2 metres high may be located on any Lot to the rear of a required yard." … "metres high may be located on any Lot to the rear of the required Front Yard."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Corner lots and sightlines:** None set. Port Edward's bylaws do not state a corner-lot sight-line rule.
- **Other rules:** Height is measured from the average grade within 1 m of both sides. The part of a retaining wall above the ground it supports counts as a fence. Open mesh or chain link fences in industrial zones and at cemeteries, courts, playgrounds, parks, playing fields and schools may be up to 4 m. A swimming pool must be fenced at least 1.2 m high with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Part 7, Screening Requirements](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The height of a Fence or wall shall be determined by measurement from the" … "That portion of a retaining wall which projects above the surface of the ground" … "shall not exceed a height of 4 metres."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 28.2.1, 28.2.2](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A swimming pool shall be enclosed with a fence not less than 1.2 m in height" … "Any gate in the fence shall be self closing and self latching"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 713, 2020, Part 7 (Screening Requirements); Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 28 (pools)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Title page](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw" … "Bylaw No. 713, 2020"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 28](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "which it is proposed by that person to locate the building. 28. POOLS 28.1 An application for a permit for the construction of a pool shall be accompanied by a Plan" … "DISTRICT OF PORT EDWARD Building Bylaw No. 716 Table of Contents"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The District of Port Edward's [Building Bylaw No. 716](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf) requires permits for buildings and structures, but defines "structure" so that it excludes fences. Neither it nor the [Zoning Bylaw No. 713](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf) sets a fence permit. Ask the District office to confirm before you build.

Height limits are in the Zoning Bylaw (Part 7, Screening Requirements). Fences and walls up to 1.2 m high may be located anywhere on a lot. Taller fences are allowed only to the rear of a required yard: up to 2 m in all zones except C3 and M, and up to 2.5 m to the rear of the required front yard in C3 and M zones. In practice the front-yard limit is 1.2 m, except for required screening.

## Good to know

- Height is measured from the average grade within 1 m of both sides.
- The part of a retaining wall above the ground it supports counts as a fence. Retaining structures over 1.2 m need a registered professional.
- Open mesh or chain link fences in industrial zones, and at cemeteries, courts, playgrounds, parks, playing fields and schools, may be up to 4 m.
- A swimming pool (over 61 cm deep with a surface area over 14 m2) must be fenced at least 1.2 m high with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
- The bylaws do not state a separate side-yard height, a corner-lot sight-line rule, or any rule on barbed wire or electric fences. Ask the District office at 250-628-3667.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 713 (PDF)](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf)
- [Building Bylaw No. 716 (PDF)](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Port Edward permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [Port Edward zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Port Edward building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules.md)
- [Prince Rupert](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/fence-rules.md)
- [Kitimat](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/fence-rules.md)
- [Terrace](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/fence-rules.md)
- [Masset](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/masset/fence-rules.md)
- [Port Clements](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-clements/fence-rules.md)
- [Daajing Giids](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/daajing-giids/fence-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 713 (PDF), District of Port Edward](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws_business_development/713_Zoning_Consolidated_Bylaw_2023-2.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Bylaw No. 716 (PDF), District of Port Edward](https://www.portedward.ca/uploads/_bylaws/716BuildingBylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [District of Port Edward home page](https://www.portedward.ca/) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Port Edward. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/fence-rules/_