Port Edward fence rules: permits and height limits

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

Port Edward, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

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.

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).Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 3 (definition of Structure); Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 9.1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording specifically excludes landscaping, fences, paving and retaining a building permit before constructing, repairing or altering a building or structure;
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).Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Part 7, Screening Requirements · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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.
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.Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Part 7, Screening Requirements · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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.
Corner lots and sightlines	None set. Port Edward's bylaws do not state a corner-lot sight-line rule.Read: Zoning Bylaw No. 713
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.Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Part 7, Screening Requirements; Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 28.2.1, 28.2.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 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. 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
Bylaw	Zoning Bylaw No. 713, 2020, Part 7 (Screening Requirements); Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 28 (pools)Zoning Bylaw No. 713, Title page; Building Bylaw No. 716, s. 28 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Zoning Bylaw Bylaw No. 713, 2020 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

How it works

The District of Port Edward's Building Bylaw No. 716 requires permits for buildings and structures, but defines "structure" so that it excludes fences. Neither it nor the Zoning Bylaw No. 713 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

The same question in other places

Prince Rupert · Kitimat · Terrace · Masset · Port Clements · Daajing Giids

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Zoning Bylaw No. 713 (PDF), District of Port Edward (read 2026-11-08)
Building Bylaw No. 716 (PDF), District of Port Edward (read 2026-11-08)
District of Port Edward home page (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. How answers are checked.