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Saanich fence rules: permits and height limits

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

Saanich, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Saanich an ordinary fence needs no building permit, but the Zoning Bylaw limits height to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) toward the street and 1.9 m (6.2 ft) in other yards. Pool fences need a written permit from Inspection Services, and retaining walls are regulated separately.

Key facts

PermitNo building permit for an ordinary fence: the Building Bylaw does not apply to fences except retaining walls (usually needed from 1.20 m high). A swimming pool or liquid storage tank fence needs a written permit from Inspection Services under Bylaw 6016. Zoning height limits still apply.Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, s. 3.3(a) and 7.3(d); Swimming Pool and Liquid Storage Tank Fence Bylaw, 1988, No. 6016, Bylaw 6016 s. 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining Walls] of this bylaw, a fence
for retaining structures less than 1.20 metres in height
No person shall erect, add to or replace, except for maintenance purposes, any fence or
The fence and gate shall be not less than 1.2 m (4’) in height above the ground at
Height, front yard1.5 m (4.9 ft) for a fence between the principal building's minimum setback and a lot line abutting a street.Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200, s. 6.2(f)(i) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
any lot line abutting a street, shall exceed a height of 1.5m (4.9 ft)
Unless expressly provided for elsewhere in this section
Height, side and rear yards1.9 m (6.2 ft) for a fence in any other yard. Deer fences up to 2.5 m (8 ft) are allowed on agricultural lots, and on other lots if not bordering a street or on a street corner.Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200, s. 6.2(f)(ii) and (g) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
no fence in any other yard shall exceed a height of 1.9 m (6.2 ft)
deer fences and deer fence extensions not exceeding a
On lots zoned for Agricultural use
Corner lots and sightlinesIn single- and two-family zones, no fence over 1 m (3.3 ft) high within the corner area bounded by the street lot lines and a line joining points 9.0 m (29.53 ft) from where they meet. On arterial highways, Ministry consent is needed for structures over 60 cm wide and 90 cm high within 6 m of the intersection.Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200, s. 6.3(b); Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200, s. 5.15(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
no person shall construct, install, suffer or maintain a fence which exceeds a height of 1 m (3.3 ft) in the area bounded by the intersecting lot lines at a street corner
9.0 m (29.53 ft) from their point of intersection
permit landscaping or any structure to exceed 60 cm (1.96 ft) in width and 90 cm (2.95 ft)
Other rulesHeight is measured from natural grade. A fence on a retaining wall counts toward one combined limit, except a guard or fence up to 1.07 m (42 in) may sit on a retaining wall. Within 7.5 m of the ocean, a fence or wall may not exceed 0.6 m. No rule on barbed or electric wire found.Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200, s. 6.2(a), (c), (e), (h) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The height of a fence or retaining wall shall mean the vertical distance between natural
the combined height of the retaining
a fence or guard not exceeding a height of 1.07 m (42 in) may be
fences and retaining walls may be constructed
No building, structure, retaining wall, screen, or fence or combination thereof in excess of
0.6 m (1.96 ft) in height shall be constructed or located on a lot within 7.5 m (24.6 ft) of
BylawZoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200, ss. 6.2 and 6.3 (height). Pool and tank fences: Swimming Pool and Liquid Storage Tank Fence Bylaw, 1988, No. 6016. Retaining walls: Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529, Part 11.Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029, Schedule 5; Swimming Pool and Liquid Storage Tank Fence Bylaw, 1988, No. 6016, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
ZONING BYLAW, 2003, NO. 8200
Constructing fence in excess of 1.5 metres (4.9
SWIMMING POOL AND LIQUID STORAGE TANK FENCE BY-LAW, 1988, NO. 6016

How it works

The Building Bylaw does not apply to fences, except retaining walls, so an ordinary fence needs no building permit. Height limits come from the Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200, s. 6.2:

  • 1.5 m (4.9 ft) for a fence between the main building's minimum setback and a lot line that abuts a street.
  • 1.9 m (6.2 ft) in any other yard.
  • Deer fences up to 2.5 m (8 ft) are allowed on agricultural lots, and on other lots if not bordering a street or on a street corner.

Height is measured from natural grade.

Steps

  1. Check your zone and lot lines (see the zoning-lookup answer).
  2. Keep the fence within the height limits above.
  3. If the fence is for a swimming pool or liquid storage tank, get a written permit from Inspection Services under Bylaw 6016.
  4. If you build a retaining wall, ask Inspection Services whether a permit is needed. One is usually needed from 1.20 m high.

Good to know

  • Corner lots: in single- and two-family zones, no fence over 1 m (3.3 ft) high within the corner area bounded by the street lot lines and a line joining points 9.0 m (29.53 ft) from where they meet. On arterial highways, Ministry consent is needed for structures over 60 cm wide and 90 cm high within 6 m of the intersection.
  • A fence on a retaining wall counts toward one combined limit, except a guard or fence up to 1.07 m (42 in) may sit on a retaining wall.
  • Within 7.5 m of the ocean, a fence or wall may not exceed 0.6 m.
  • The Zoning Bylaw sections read set no rule on barbed wire or electric fencing. Ask Bylaw Enforcement or Inspection Services.
  • A bylaw notice for a fence over the limit is $150 ($100 if paid early); a municipal ticket is $150 ($200 after 30 days).

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Oak Bay · Esquimalt · Victoria · View Royal · Central Saanich · Colwood

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Building Bylaw, 2019, No. 9529 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Swimming Pool and Liquid Storage Tank Fence Bylaw, 1988, No. 6016 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  5. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  6. Residential Permits, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)

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.