{"title":"Spallumcheen fence rules: permits and height limits","question":"Do I need a permit to build a fence in Spallumcheen, and how high can it be?","slug":"fence-rules","place":{"path":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Township of Spallumcheen","url":"https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca"},"short_answer":"In the Township of Spallumcheen a fence does not need a building permit. Under the Zoning Bylaw, fences up to 1.2 m (3.9 ft) may go anywhere on a lot, and fences up to 2 m (6.56 ft) are allowed behind the required front yard in most zones. A fence on a road allowance or boulevard needs a written permit.","aliases":["fence height spallumcheen","fence bylaw spallumcheen","pool fence spallumcheen","fence permit spallumcheen"],"cost":"No building permit fee for a fence.","how_long":"Not applicable for a fence on your own lot.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Planning and Development Services","value":"250-546-3013"},{"type":"email","label":"Planning and Development Services","value":"planner@spallumcheentwp.bc.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Office","value":"4144 Spallumcheen Way, Spallumcheen, BC V4Y 0N1","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008 (PDF)","url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/"},{"title":"Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020 (PDF)","url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/"},{"title":"Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw No. 2036, 2020 (PDF)","url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/47028/"},{"title":"Highway and Traffic Regulation Bylaw No. 2085, 2022 (PDF)","url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/43322/"}],"related":[{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Spallumcheen permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/deck-shed-garage-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Spallumcheen zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Spallumcheen building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/building-permit/"},{"slug":"unsightly-property","title":"Spallumcheen unsightly property rules and how to report","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/unsightly-property/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/armstrong","name":"Armstrong","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/enderby","name":"Enderby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/fence-rules/"}],"topic":{"title":"Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules/"},"facts":{"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"No building permit: the Building Bylaw does not apply to fences. A fence may not be built on a road allowance or boulevard without a written permit from the Manager of Operations.","short":"No building permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020, s. 105.2 and 702.3 (PDF, consolidated)","section":"s. 105.2(e)","quotes":["d. retaining structures 1.2 metres in height or less; e. fences; f. non-structural repairs or alterations to a building or structure or the repair or"]},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/43322/","title":"Highway and Traffic Regulation Bylaw No. 2085, 2022, s. 11.2 (PDF)","section":"s. 11.2(a)","quotes":["Except as authorized in writing by the Manager of Operations, in the form of a permit,","maintained in, upon, or over any highway or lane, any structure, sign, building"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_front":{"label":"Height, front yard","value":"1.2 m (3.9 ft). Fences and hedges up to 1.2 m may be anywhere on a lot; taller fences or walls (2 m) are allowed only to the rear of the required front yard.","short":"1.2 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 1801.1 (PDF, consolidated)","section":"s. 1801.1.f.i-ii (Schedule I)","quotes":["In all zones, fences and hedges not greater than 1.2 metres (3.937 feet) in height may be located anywhere on a lot.","In all zones, except Commercial and Industrial zones, fences or walls not greater than 2 metres (6.562 feet) in height may be located on any lot to the rear of a required front yard."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_side_rear":{"label":"Height, side and rear yards","value":"2 m (6.56 ft) for fences or walls to the rear of the required front yard, in all zones except commercial and industrial (2.5 m). Where a rear lot line meets a neighbour's side lot line, the rear fence can be no taller than the side-line limit.","short":"2 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 1801.1 (PDF, consolidated)","section":"s. 1801.1.f.ii-iv (Schedule I)","quotes":["In all zones, except Commercial and Industrial zones, fences or walls not greater than 2 metres (6.562 feet) in height may be located on any lot to the rear of a required front yard.","In Residential zones, where the rear lot line abuts the side lot line of an adjoining lot, the height of fences, walls, or hedges, on such rear lot line shall be not greater than the height permitted on the side lot line of an adjoining lot."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"corner_lots":{"label":"Corner lots and sightlines","value":"No fence, wall or hedge over 1 m (3.3 ft) high, or any lower height that is a traffic hazard, within the triangle at a corner lot formed by the corner and points 6 m along the front and exterior side lot lines (where those lines meet at 135 degrees or less).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/47028/","title":"Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw No. 2036, 2020 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.1(b), (d)","quotes":["Maintain the height and width of any shrubs or non-standard landscaping below a","maximum height of 0.5m from the boulevard level","Not allow the landscaping to interfere with intersection sightlines."]},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 1801.1 (PDF, consolidated)","section":"s. 1801.1.b (Schedule I); definition of LANDSCAPE SCREEN","quotes":["A landscape screen over 1 metre (3.281 feet) in height or any lesser height which constitutes a traffic hazard shall not be permitted within the area described by three (3) lines interconnecting an exterior lot corner,","LANDSCAPE SCREEN means a hedge of compact plant material, fence, or wall, when such hedge, fence, or wall is continuous except for access driveways and walkways."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_rules":{"label":"Other rules","value":"Pool fences: at least 1.2 m high, openings no more than 100 mm, self-closing gate. Height is measured from finished grade. New perimeter fence: existing fences must be removed from Township rights of way; no hedges on the boulevard; broken or leaning fences are an offence. No barbed wire or electric fence rule found.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/47028/","title":"Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw No. 2036, 2020 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.1(f), 4.3","quotes":["When installing new perimeter fence(s), existing fence(s) must be removed from","Hedges, rocks or gravel are not permitted to be placed by the property owner on the"]},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/1769/","title":"Untidy and Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 1710 (PDF)","section":"s. 3(a)","quotes":["a) dilapidated, broken or leaning fences;"]},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020, s. 105.2 and 702.3 (PDF, consolidated)","section":"s. 702.3 (Swimming Pool); Zoning s. 1801.1.c for measurement","quotes":["an enclosed fence not less than 1.2 metres in height with no openings greater than 100mm and so designed that members, attachments or openings will not facilitate climbing;","a self-closing gate so designed and installed as to cause the gate to return to a locked position automatically; and"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 1801.1 (Schedule I: fence heights and corner sightlines); Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020 (s. 105.2(e) fences exempt; s. 702.3 pool fences); Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw No. 2036, 2020 (s. 3.1); Highway and Traffic Regulation Bylaw No. 2085, 2022 (s. 11.2).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020, s. 105.2 and 702.3 (PDF, consolidated)","section":"s. 105.2(e)","quotes":["d. retaining structures 1.2 metres in height or less; e. fences; f. non-structural repairs or alterations to a building or structure or the repair or","TOWNSHIP OF SPALLUMCHEEN BUILDING BYLAW NO. 2009, 2020 CONSOLIDATED WITH AMENDMENTS FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY"]},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/47028/","title":"Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw No. 2036, 2020 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.1(f)","quotes":["When installing new perimeter fence(s), existing fence(s) must be removed from"]},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 1801.1 (PDF, consolidated)","section":"s. 1801.1.f (Schedule I, Division Eighteen)","quotes":["Subject to the vision clearance provisions, the following height limitations shall apply to a landscape screen:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Building Bylaw](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/) does not apply to fences, so a fence on your own lot needs no building permit. Heights are set by the landscape-screen rule in the [Zoning Bylaw](https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/) (s. 1801.1), which covers fences, walls and hedges:\n\n- **Anywhere on a lot, including the front:** up to 1.2 m (3.9 ft).\n- **Behind the required front yard:** up to 2 m (6.56 ft) in all zones except commercial and industrial.\n- **Where a rear lot line meets a neighbour's side lot line** in residential zones, the rear fence can be no taller than the side-line limit.\n- **Corner lots:** a fence, wall or hedge over 1 m (3.3 ft), or any lower height that is a traffic hazard, is not allowed in the triangle at the corner formed by points 6 m along the front and exterior side lot lines (where those lines meet at 135 degrees or less).\n\nA fence may not be built on a road allowance or boulevard without a written permit from the Manager of Operations.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your property lines and the zone your lot is in.\n2. Check the heights above. For commercial or industrial zones, or if unsure, call Planning at 250-546-3013.\n3. If any part of the fence would sit on a road allowance or boulevard, get a written permit from the Manager of Operations through the Township office first.\n4. For a pool, check the pool fence rules below before building.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Pool fences must be at least 1.2 m high with no openings greater than 100 mm and a self-closing gate that returns to a locked position (Building Bylaw s. 702.3). Height is measured from finished grade.\n- When you install a new perimeter fence, any existing fence must be removed from Township rights of way. Hedges are not allowed on the boulevard (Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw).\n- Under the Untidy and Unsightly Premises Bylaw, dilapidated, broken or leaning fences are an offence.\n- Retaining structures 1.2 m or less are exempt from the Building Bylaw.\n- No rule on barbed wire or electric fences was found in the bylaws read. Ask Planning.","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34972/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1700, 2008, s. 1801.1 (PDF, consolidated)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/34973/","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2009, 2020, s. 105.2 and 702.3 (PDF, consolidated)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/47028/","title":"Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw No. 2036, 2020 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/43322/","title":"Highway and Traffic Regulation Bylaw No. 2085, 2022, s. 11.2 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/1769/","title":"Untidy and Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 1710 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/services/contact-us.htm","title":"Contact Us, Township of Spallumcheen","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/fence-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/fence-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/fence-rules.json"}}