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Sicamous fence rules: permits and height limits

Do I need a fence permit in Sicamous, and how high can my fence be?

Sicamous, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-09

Short answer

In Sicamous residential and rural zones, the standard fence limit is 1.2 metres in the front yard or within 6 metres of a driveway or road right-of-way. Elsewhere on the parcel the usual limit is 2 metres. Agricultural boundaries have separate provisions.

Key facts

PermitThe building bylaw exempts fences generally. It covers fences surrounding public swimming pools or hot tubs.Building Regulations Bylaw No. 1056, 2025, PDF p. 3 / PDF p. 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
j) The construction, installation, relocation or alteration of public swimming pools and hot tubs, together with all ancillary equipment, services and attachments normally employed in the use of a public swimming pool or hot tub, and to the construction of fences surrounding such public swimming pools or hot tubs;District of Sicamous Building Regulations Bylaw No. 1056, 2025
105. This Bylaw does not apply to:
d) Fences, except as required by Sentence 104(j);
Height, front yardIn Sicamous residential and rural zones, the standard fence limit is 1.2 metres in the front yard or within 6 metres of a driveway or road right-of-way.Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, PDF p. 44 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
.1 Fences a. Within Residential and Rural zones, fences may be: (i) 1.2 m high for a Front Yard or within 6 m of an existing driveway or road right-of-way; and (ii) 2 m in Height anywhere else on a Parcel; except (iii) no Fence constructed at Natural Grade in a Residential Zone shall exceed 2 m in Height, except where Abutting an Agriculturally Zoned Parcel where the maximum Height is 2.4 m; and
Height, side and rear yardsGenerally 2 metres away from the front yard and driveway or road clearance area, subject to exceptions.Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, PDF p. 44 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
a. Within Residential and Rural zones, fences may be: (i) 1.2 m high for a Front Yard or within 6 m of an existing driveway or road right-of-way; and (ii) 2 m in Height anywhere else on a Parcel; except (iii) no Fence constructed at Natural Grade in a Residential Zone shall exceed 2 m in Height, except where Abutting an Agriculturally Zoned Parcel where the maximum Height is 2.4 m; and
Corner lots and sightlinesNot confirmed. Checked Bylaw No. 1000, 2022; not found there.
Other rulesA residential fence abutting agriculturally zoned land can reach 2.4 m. Vacant parcels have a 1.2 m limit between the principal building setback and a highway lot line.Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, PDF p. 44 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
(iii) no Fence constructed at Natural Grade in a Residential Zone shall exceed 2 m in Height, except where Abutting an Agriculturally Zoned Parcel where the maximum Height is 2.4 m; and (iv) vacant Parcels shall not have Fences exceeding 1.2 m in Height between the minimum Setback distance required for a Principal Building and any Parcel Line abutting a Highway.
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, section 3.9.Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, PDF p. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
District of Sicamous Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024 Effective Date – September 11, 2024

How it works

Sketch the lot before choosing a fence height. Show the street, the front of the building, each length of proposed fence and any intersection or driveway near it. The same fence can cross more than one regulated area. Generally 2 metres away from the front yard and driveway or road clearance area, subject to exceptions.

Steps

  1. Check the fence provisions in Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024 (PDF). Find the rule for each segment and the point from which height is measured. Mark where a segment changes from one yard or regulated area to another.
  2. For a corner lot, also check visibility requirements. If the site slopes or the fence sits on a retaining wall, describe that to the planning office before ordering panels.

Good to know

  • A residential fence abutting agriculturally zoned land can reach 2.4 m. Vacant parcels have a 1.2 m limit between the principal building setback and a highway lot line.
  • The building bylaw exempts fences generally. It covers fences surrounding public swimming pools or hot tubs.
  • Open the Sicamous Map Hub and choose the Property Information app.
  • Include any gates, screens or changes in material on your sketch. Ask planning to identify the applicable clause if it is unclear where a limit changes.
  • For a question about which yard the fence crosses and whether the corner has a sightline requirement, call the planning office at 250-836-2477. A sketch showing the street, house and proposed fence will help identify which limits you need.
  • Read the applicable provisions in Building Regulations Bylaw No. 1056, 2025 (PDF).

The same question in other places

Enderby · Armstrong · Spallumcheen · Revelstoke · Sun Peaks · Lumby

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
  2. Building Regulations Bylaw No. 1056, 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
  3. District of Sicamous Mapping (read 2026-11-09)
  4. Sicamous municipal office contact information (read 2026-11-09)
  5. Development Services: District of Sicamous (read 2026-11-09)

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.