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Quesnel fence rules: permits and height limits

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

Quesnel, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Quesnel, the Zoning Bylaw limits fences to 1.2 m in a required front yard and 2.0 m behind it (2.4 m in M and C zones). The Building Bylaw requires a permit for swimming pool fences; it does not list other fences, so ask the Building Department.

Key facts

PermitThe Building Bylaw requires a building permit for swimming pool fences. It does not list other fences among projects needing a permit.Building Bylaw 1550, 2003, consolidated September 2011, s. 11.1(o) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Construction of swimming pool f ences;
Height, front yard1.2 m (4 ft) in any required front yard, except in M and C zones (which have a 2.4 m limit on any part of the lot) and except for required screening.City of Quesnel Zoning Bylaw 1980, 2025 (sections 4.10, 4.11, 4.12), s. 4.11.1(a), (b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
fences and walls shall not exceed a height greater than 1.2 m (4 ft) in any required front yard
in the M and C zones, fences, walls, solid screens or hedges shall not exceed a height greater than 2.4 m (8 ft) on any part of the lot.
Height, side and rear yards2.0 m (6 ft 7 in) on any part of a lot behind the required front yard, except in M and C zones (2.4 m) and for required screening.City of Quesnel Zoning Bylaw 1980, 2025 (sections 4.10, 4.11, 4.12), s. 4.11.1(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
a height greater than 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in) on any part of a lot to the rear of a required front yard
Corner lots and sightlinesNo obstruction to the line of vision between 1 m and 3 m (3 to 10 ft) above street or lane grade within the triangular visibility area shown on Figure 4.3. Fence heights are subject to this.City of Quesnel Zoning Bylaw 1980, 2025 (sections 4.10, 4.11, 4.12), ss. 4.10.1, 4.11.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
there shall be no obstruction to the line of vision between 1 m and 3 m (3-10 ft) above the established grade of streets or lanes
Subject to the visual clearance provisions of Section 4.10 of this Bylaw
Other rulesNo barbed wire in rural residential, residential or institutional zones (except livestock enclosures in RR-1, A-1, CR-1). No electric fencing there except inside other fencing for urban agriculture. Fences must be kept in good repair. Residential retaining walls: 1.2 m maximum, with exceptions.City of Quesnel Zoning Bylaw 1980, 2025 (sections 4.10, 4.11, 4.12), ss. 4.11.3 to 4.11.6, 4.12.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Fencing must be kept in good repair.
No barbed wire fencing shall be allowed in any rural residential, residential or institutional zones
No electric fencing shall be allowed in any rural residential, residential, or institutional zones
must not exceed a height of 1.2 m (4 ft) measured from grade on the lower side
BylawCity of Quesnel Zoning Bylaw No. 1980, s. 4.11 (Fencing) and s. 4.12 (Retaining Walls).City of Quesnel Zoning Bylaw 1980, 2025 (sections 4.10, 4.11, 4.12), s. 4.11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
4.11 Fencing
Zoning Bylaw No. 1980

How it works

The City of Quesnel's Zoning Bylaw 1980 sets fence heights in section 4.11. The Building Bylaw requires a building permit for swimming pool fences. It does not list other fences, but its list is not complete, so ask the Building Department whether your fence needs a permit.

Steps

  1. Find your lot lines and your zone.
  2. Keep the fence within the height limits below.
  3. For a pool fence or a retaining wall over 1.2 m, ask the Building Department about a permit.
  4. Check the Zoning Bylaw's rules for your zone, or call Development Services (250-992-2111).

Good to know

  • Front yard: 1.2 m (4 ft) maximum in any required front yard, except in M and C zones and except for required screening.
  • Behind the required front yard: 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in), except in M and C zones and for required screening. M and C zones allow 2.4 m on any part of the lot.
  • Open mesh or chain link fences on cemeteries, public playgrounds, public recreation areas, school areas and public utility or works areas may be up to 3.0 m.
  • Corner lots: nothing may block the line of vision between 1 m and 3 m above street or lane grade within the visibility triangle shown on Figure 4.3 of the bylaw.
  • No barbed wire in rural residential, residential or institutional zones, except livestock enclosures in RR-1, A-1 and CR-1. No electric fencing there except inside other fencing for urban agriculture.
  • A fence on a retaining wall may not exceed 2.0 m combined, measured from natural grade at the abutting higher property. Residential retaining walls are limited to 1.2 m, with exceptions.
  • Fences must be kept in good repair.
  • The Building Bylaw copy posted is a 2011 consolidation and may be out of date.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Williams Lake · Prince George · Vanderhoof · 100 Mile House · Fraser Lake · Fort St James

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. City of Quesnel Zoning Bylaw 1980, 2025 (sections 4.10, 4.11, 4.12) (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Building Bylaw 1550, 2003, consolidated September 2011 (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.