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Sechelt fence rules: permits and height limits

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

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

Short answer

In Sechelt a fence does not need a building permit, but the Zoning Bylaw limits height: 1.2 m within a front yard setback and 2.0 m elsewhere. Pool fences must be at least 1.5 m high.

Key facts

PermitNo building permit: the Building Bylaw does not apply to fences. The Zoning Bylaw height limits still apply. Retaining structures 1.2 m or higher are not exempt.Building Bylaw No. 409, 2003 (PDF, consolidated February 3, 2022), s. 1.5.2; Building Permits, Scope and Exemptions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
(2) retaining structures less than 1.2 meters (4 ft) in height (3) fences (4) non-structural repairs
(1) retaining structures less than 1.2 meters (4 ft) in height or a series of retaining structures not less than 1 vertical element to 2 horizontal elements with a cumulative height of not more than 1.2 m. (2) fences (3) bridges, except pedestrian and vehicle bridges attached to buildings
Height, front yard1.2 m maximum for a fence within a front yard setback.Sources differ: Zoning Bylaw consolidated May 2025.Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025), s. 2.12.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
2.12.4 Fences located within a front yard Setback shall have a maximum Height of 1.2 m.
Height, side and rear yards2.0 m maximum for a fence located outside a front yard setback.Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025), s. 2.12.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
2.12.5 Fences located outside a front yard Setback shall have a maximum Height of 2.0 m.
Corner lots and sightlinesNot confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
Other rulesHeight is measured from natural or finished grade, whichever is lower, to the top, including lattice or wires. A fence on a retaining wall counts the wall's height if they are under 1.0 m apart. A single retaining wall may not exceed 1.2 m; wall plus fence may not exceed 2.0 m. Pool fences must be at least 1.5 m high.Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025), ss. 2.12.1-2.12.3, 2.13; Pools and Hot Tubs, Fencing and Self Closing Gates; Building Bylaw No. 409, 2003 (PDF, consolidated February 3, 2022), s. 13.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
2.12.1 Fences may be sited within the minimum Setbacks established in a zone.
whichever is lower, to the highest portion of the fence, including lattice or wires on top of the main structure of the fence.
2.13.1 A single retaining wall may not exceed 1.2 m in Height.
cannot exceed 2.0 m in combined Height from lowest natural grade.
Every private swimming pool shall be enclosed within a secure and sturdy fence or other vertical barrier not less than 4' (1.22m) in height
A swimming pool shall be enclosed within a continuous non-climbable fence or other vertical
barrier having a minimum height of 1.5m and have no openings greater than 100mm at their greatest dimension
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022, ss. 2.12 (Fences) and 2.13 (Retaining Walls); Building Bylaw No. 409, 2003, s. 1.5.2Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025), ss. 2.12-2.13; Building Bylaw No. 409, 2003 (PDF, consolidated February 3, 2022), s. 1.5.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
2.11 Height and Setback Exemptions ............................................................................................. 81 2.12 Fences ..................................................................................................................................... 82 2.13 Retaining Walls ....................................................................................................................... 82
2.12.5 Fences located outside a front yard Setback shall have a maximum Height of 2.0 m. 2.13 Retaining Walls 2.13.1 A single retaining wall may not exceed 1.2 m in Height.
DISTRICT OF SECHELT | ZONING BYLAW Schedule A to Bylaw No. 580, 2022 PAGE | i
This bylaw does not apply to:

How it works

The District of Sechelt's Building Bylaw 409 does not apply to fences, so you do not need a building permit. Fence height is controlled by section 2.12 of the Zoning Bylaw 580. Retaining structures 1.2 m or higher are not exempt from a building permit.

Height is measured from natural or finished grade, whichever is lower, to the top of the fence, including lattice or wires.

Steps

  1. Check your property's zone and setbacks (see the zoning-lookup answer).
  2. Keep a fence within the front yard setback to 1.2 m, and a fence outside it to 2.0 m.
  3. If the fence sits on a retaining wall, count the wall's height too (see below).
  4. Call Planning (604-740-8459) if your plan is unusual.

Good to know

  • A fence on a retaining wall counts the wall's height if they are less than 1.0 m apart. A single retaining wall may not exceed 1.2 m, and wall plus fence may not exceed 2.0 m.
  • Pool fences must be at least 1.5 m high under the Building Bylaw, as the District's Pools and Hot Tubs page summarises it. That page also shows a smaller figure, 1.22 m, which looks out of date. Confirm with the Building Department.
  • An FAQ on the District's site gives 1.3 m for a front fence; the Zoning Bylaw says 1.2 m. Confirm with Planning.
  • The Zoning Bylaw has no corner-lot or sightline fence rule that we found, and we found no rule on barbed wire or electric fences. Ask Planning.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Gibsons · Bowen Island · Lantzville · Nanaimo · Lions Bay · West Vancouver

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Building and Renovating | District of Sechelt (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Zoning Bylaw No. 580, 2022 (PDF, consolidated May 2025) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Building Bylaw No. 409, 2003 (PDF, consolidated February 3, 2022) (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Building Permits, District of Sechelt (read 2026-11-06)
  5. Pools and Hot Tubs, District of Sechelt (read 2026-11-06)
  6. Contacts Directory, District of Sechelt (read 2026-11-06)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.