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Smithers fence rules: permits and height limits

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

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

Short answer

In Smithers a fence needs no building permit, but it must meet the Zoning Bylaw: 1.2 m maximum in the front yard setback in residential zones, 1.8 m at the sides and rear. A retaining wall over 1.2 m high does need a permit, and pools must be fenced.

Key facts

PermitNo building permit is needed for a fence; it only has to meet the Zoning Bylaw height and setback rules. A retaining wall over 1.2 m high does need a permit, and a swimming pool needs a permit and a fence.Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3(a); Building Permits, Building Permits page · 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;
No person may construct, or structurally repair, a retaining wall more than 1.2m in
Fencing (Zoning Bylaw contains permitted height and setbacks).
Height, front yard1.2 m maximum for a fence, wall or hedge within the front yard setback in all residential zones (also applies to principal residential uses in commercial zones).Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.7 and 2.9, s. 2.9.2(b), (d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
In all Residential zones, fences, walls, or hedges within the front yard setback
may not exceed 1.2 m in height;
Sections 2.9.2 (a) and (b) apply to principal residential uses located in commercial
Height, side and rear yards1.8 m maximum in all residential zones; 2.5 m in commercial, public use and industrial zones. A fence abutting a residentially zoned property may not exceed 2 m.Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.7 and 2.9, s. 2.9.2(a), (c), (e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
In all Residential zones, fences, walls, or hedges may not exceed 1.8 m in height;
In all Commercial, Public Use and Industrial zones, fences, walls, or hedges
Where abutting a Residential zoned property, a fence may not exceed 2 m in
Corner lots and sightlinesNothing may block the line of vision between 1 m and 3 m above street grade inside a triangle formed by points 6 m along each parcel line from the corner. Vegetation in the 6 m by 6 m sight triangle may not exceed 0.6 m high at maturity.Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.7 and 2.9, s. 2.7.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
There shall be no obstruction to the line of vision by landscaping, buildings,
Points along each parcel line 6 metres from their intersection; and
a 6 metre by 6 metre sight triangle is to be maintained with
Other rulesHeight is measured from average grade within 1.0 m of both sides of the fence. No barbed wire or chain link fencing is permitted within public view in the downtown. A pool, spa or hot tub must be fenced at least 1.2 m high with openings no larger than 100 mm and a self-closing, self-latching gate.Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.7 and 2.9, s. 2.9.1, s. 2.9.4; Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 14.2, s. 14.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The height of a fence, wall or hedge shall be determined by measurement from the
No barbed wire or chain link fencing is permitted within view of the public in the
fence constructed without footholds or grips that children may use to climb into the
having a minimum height of 1.2 metres and no openings greater
through a self-closing and self-latching gate designed and constructed or installed
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.9 (Fences) and s. 2.7 (Visibility at Intersections); Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3(a), Part 11 and Part 14.Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.7 and 2.9, Section 2.9; Building Bylaw No. 1924, s. 3.3(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Section 2.9 Fences 2.9.1 The height of a fence, wall or hedge shall be determined by measurement from the
except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining Walls] of this bylaw, a fence;

How it works

The Building Bylaw No. 1924 does not apply to fences, so no building permit is needed. The fence must meet section 2.9 of the Zoning Bylaw No. 1987. Height is measured from the average grade within 1.0 m of both sides of the fence.

Where Maximum height
Front yard setback, residential zones 1.2 m
Side and rear, residential zones 1.8 m
Side and rear, commercial, public use and industrial zones 2.5 m
A fence abutting a residentially zoned property 2 m

Open mesh or chain link fences at cemeteries, playgrounds, parks, playfields, schools, childcare centres and in industrial zones may be up to 3.5 m. No barbed wire or chain link fencing is allowed within public view in the downtown.

Steps

  1. Check your zoning and setbacks (see the zoning-lookup answer).
  2. On a corner lot, keep clear the sight triangle: nothing may block the line of vision between 1 m and 3 m above street grade within 6 m of the corner along each parcel line, and vegetation there may not exceed 0.6 m at maturity.
  3. Build to the heights above. Call Development Services at 250-847-1600 if unsure.

Good to know

  • A retaining wall over 1.2 m high needs a building permit. The Town's web page says a permit is needed when a wall retains more than 1.5 m of fill. The bylaw figure is stricter, so check with the Town.
  • A swimming pool, spa or hot tub must be fenced at least 1.2 m high with openings no larger than 100 mm and a self-closing, self-latching gate. The bylaw lets a hot tub use a locking cover instead.
  • A fence that breaks the zoning rules can get a bylaw notice. The Penalty amount in Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2011 is $300. Check the amount on your notice.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Telkwa · Houston · New Hazelton · Hazelton · Granisle · Terrace

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.7 and 2.9, Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Building Bylaw No. 1924, Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Building Permits, Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2011, Town of Smithers (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.