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Sayward fence rules: permits and height limits

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

Sayward, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In the Village of Sayward you do not need a building permit for a fence under 2 m (6.6 ft). In residential zones the Zoning Bylaw limits fences to 1.2 m (3.9 ft) along the front lot line and 2.0 m (6.6 ft) at the sides and rear.

Key facts

PermitA building permit is not needed for fences under 2 m (6.6 ft) high: the Building Bylaw does not apply to them. No separate fence permit is mentioned.Building Bylaw No. 334, 2005 (PDF, consolidated), s. 5.2.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
fences and retaining structures less than 2 metres (6.6 feet) in height.
Height, front yard1.2 m (3.9 ft) along the front lot line, in residential zones.Zoning Bylaw No. 309, 2000 (PDF, consolidated), s. 308(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
except along the front lot line where the height shall not exceed 1.2 metres (3.9 feet).
Height, side and rear yards2.0 m (6.6 ft) in residential zones.Zoning Bylaw No. 309, 2000 (PDF, consolidated), s. 308(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
In residential zones, fences shall not exceed 2.0 metres (6.6 feet)
Corner lots and sightlinesZoning s. 404: no tree, shrub, plant, fence or other structure wider than 0.6 m (2.0 ft) in the sight triangle at an intersection. Public Nuisance Bylaw s. 7.7 uses 0.46 m (1.5 ft) and a triangle 2.4 m from the corner.Sources differ: The two bylaws give different dimensions; Zoning s. 101(7) says the more restrictive regulation applies.Zoning Bylaw No. 309, 2000 (PDF, consolidated), s. 404; Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 502, s. 7.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
with horizontal dimension exceeding 0.6m (2.0ft) within the sight triangle
with horizontal dimension exceeding 0.46 metres (1.5 feet) within the triangular area
Other rulesPool areas must be enclosed by a fence at least 1.4 m (4.6 ft) high (Building Bylaw s. 23.1.3). Fences next to a street must be kept in repair (Bylaw 502 s. 7.6). No fence on a boulevard without the Village's written permission (s. 7.5(b)).Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 502, ss. 7.5(b), 7.6; Building Bylaw No. 334, 2005 (PDF, consolidated), s. 23.1.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
erect any sign, fence, wall or other structure on any Boulevard, except
shall not allow that fence to fall into a state of disrepair
enclose an exterior pool area within a fence:
not less than 1.4 metres (4.6 feet) in height;
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 309, 2000, s. 308Zoning Bylaw No. 309, 2000 (PDF, consolidated), s. 308 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
In residential zones, fences shall not exceed 2.0 metres (6.6 feet)

How it works

Fence heights are in section 308 of the Village of Sayward's Zoning Bylaw No. 309. In residential zones a fence may be up to 1.2 m (3.9 ft) high along the front lot line and 2.0 m (6.6 ft) high at the sides and rear. Section 308 sets no fence rules for commercial, industrial or other zones. Ask the Village Office about those.

The Building Bylaw No. 334 does not apply to fences under 2 m (6.6 ft) high, so no building permit is needed. No separate fence permit is mentioned.

Good to know

  • Pool areas must be enclosed by a fence at least 1.4 m (4.6 ft) high (Building Bylaw s. 23.1.3).
  • On a corner lot, Zoning s. 404 bars any tree, shrub, plant, fence or other structure wider than 0.6 m (2.0 ft) in the sight triangle at an intersection. The Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 502 s. 7.7 uses 0.46 m (1.5 ft) and a triangle 2.4 m from the corner. The two bylaws differ, so confirm with the Village Office; the Zoning Bylaw says the more restrictive rule applies.
  • Fences next to a street must be kept in repair (Bylaw 502 s. 7.6).
  • No fence is allowed on a boulevard without the Village's written permission (s. 7.5(b)).
  • The sources state no rule on materials such as barbed wire. Ask the Village Office at 250-282-5512.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Campbell River · Gold River · Tahsis · Port McNeill · Courtenay · Cumberland

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 309, 2000 (PDF, consolidated) (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Building Bylaw No. 334, 2005 (PDF, consolidated) (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Public Nuisance Bylaw No. 502 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Staff Directory, Village of Sayward (read 2026-11-08)

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.