{"title":"Terrace fence rules: permits and height limits","question":"Do I need a permit to build a fence, and how high can it be?","slug":"fence-rules","place":{"path":"ca/bc/terrace","name":"Terrace","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":"City of Terrace","url":"https://www.terrace.ca"},"short_answer":"In Terrace a fence does not need a building permit, but the Zoning Bylaw limits height. In Agricultural and Residential zones the maximum is 1.2 m in the front yard and 1.85 m in side and rear yards. Pool fences follow a separate bylaw.","aliases":["fence height terrace","how tall can my fence be","fence permit","front yard fence"],"cost":"No building permit fee, since no building permit is required.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-615-4022","note":"5003 Graham Avenue"},{"type":"email","label":"Development Services","value":"developmentservices@terrace.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Fact Sheet DS-11, Building a Fence (PDF)","url":"https://www.terrace.ca/sites/default/files/docs/business-development/planning-document/Fact-Sheets/ds-11-fact-sheet-building-a-fence.pdf"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2069 (PDF)","url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249"},{"title":"Private Swimming Pool Bylaw 1709 (PDF)","url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3935"},{"title":"TerraMap (find your zoning and roads)","url":"https://www.terrace.ca/business-development/maps-zoning/terramap"}],"related":[{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Terrace zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Terrace permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/kitimat","name":"Kitimat","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-hazelton","name":"New Hazelton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-hazelton/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/smithers","name":"Smithers","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/telkwa","name":"Telkwa","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hazelton","name":"Hazelton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hazelton/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-edward","name":"Port Edward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/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 a fence. A development permit may still be needed if the fence is in an OCP development permit area such as an environmentally sensitive area. A retaining wall over 1.2 m high needs a permit.","short":"No building permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024 (PDF), City of Terrace","section":"s. 3.4.3, 15.2","quotes":["a fence, a trellis, an arbour, or other similar landscaping or decorative structures.","No person may construct a retaining wall without a permit."]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/sites/default/files/ESA%20Strategy%20-%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Environmentally Sensitive Areas Strategy (Final), City of Terrace","section":"s. 5.3 Development Classification","quotes":["Activities considered to be development will be required","Fences, patios, docks, wharves, or bridges; and"]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4106","title":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4106","section":"Development Permit Areas, Exemptions","quotes":["A proposed development that solely consists of the construction or placement of fences, gates, landscaping and signage that comply with all applicable DPA"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_front":{"label":"Height, front yard","value":"1.2 m in the front yard in Agricultural and Residential zones. It may be 1.85 m if the front parcel line is next to an arterial road identified in the OCP.","short":"1.2 m (1.85 m next to arterial road)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249","title":"Zoning Consolidated Bylaw No. 2069-2014 (PDF, to Bylaw 2345-2026), City of Terrace","section":"s. 3.6.1, 3.6.2","quotes":["Agricultural and Residential 1.2 m 1.85 m","Where the front parcel line is adjacent to an arterial roadway as identified in","the OCP, the maximum height of a fence in the Agricultural and Residential","zones may be increased to 1.85 m in the front yard"]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/sites/default/files/docs/business-development/planning-document/Fact-Sheets/ds-11-fact-sheet-building-a-fence.pdf","title":"Fact Sheet DS-11 Building a Fence (PDF), City of Terrace","section":"How tall can I build a fence?","quotes":["On residential properties, fences can be a maximum"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_side_rear":{"label":"Height, side and rear yards","value":"1.85 m in side and rear yards in Agricultural and Residential zones.","short":"1.85 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249","title":"Zoning Consolidated Bylaw No. 2069-2014 (PDF, to Bylaw 2345-2026), City of Terrace","section":"s. 3.6.1","quotes":["Agricultural and Residential 1.2 m 1.85 m","Subject to the visual clearance requirements of Section 3.9, fences must comply"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"corner_lots":{"label":"Corner lots and sightlines","value":"In all zones, no fence, wall or structure may be higher than 1.0 m, and no hedge, bush or tree may block vision, in the corner area at a street, lane, roadway or driveway corner, bounded by the parcel lines and a line joining points 6.0 m from where they meet.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249","title":"Zoning Consolidated Bylaw No. 2069-2014 (PDF, to Bylaw 2345-2026), City of Terrace","section":"s. 3.9","quotes":["In all zones, no fence, wall or structure is to be erected to a height greater than 1.0 m and","6.0 m from their point of intersection as illustrated in Figure 11."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_rules":{"label":"Other rules","value":"Height is measured from ground level to the top of the fence at any point. Barbed wire only on farm land for livestock, or above 1.85 m in industrial and public zones; electrified wire only on farm land for livestock; razor wire banned. Pool fence: at least 1.5 m high, openings no more than 100 mm (Bylaw 1709-2000).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249","title":"Zoning Consolidated Bylaw No. 2069-2014 (PDF, to Bylaw 2345-2026), City of Terrace","section":"s. 2 (fence definition), 3.6.3-3.6.5","quotes":["fence height is the vertical distance between the ground level and the top of","No fence is to be constructed using barbed wire except:","No fence is to be constructed using electrified wire except in an Agricultural zone","No fence in any zone is to be constructed using razor wire, ribbon wire, ultra-barrier"]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024 (PDF), City of Terrace","section":"s. 2 definitions","quotes":["RETAINING WALL means a structure exceeding 1.2 metres in height that is intended to hold or retain soil or other material."]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3935","title":"Private Swimming Pool Bylaw No. 1709-2000 (PDF), City of Terrace","section":"Bylaw 1709-2000 s. 2.1","quotes":["Every private swimming pool shall be enclosed within a fence not less than 1.5 m in height with no openings greater than 100 mm"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2069-2014, s. 3.6 (fences) and s. 3.9 (visual clearance); Private Swimming Pool Bylaw No. 1709-2000 (pool fences)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249","title":"Zoning Consolidated Bylaw No. 2069-2014 (PDF, to Bylaw 2345-2026), City of Terrace","section":"Title page, s. 3.6, 3.9","quotes":["City of Terrace Zoning Bylaw No. 2069 - 2014","(and Amendments thereto up to and including Bylaw #2345-2026)","3.6 Fences"]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3935","title":"Private Swimming Pool Bylaw No. 1709-2000 (PDF), City of Terrace","section":"Title, s. 2.1","quotes":["A BYLAW OF THE CITY OF TERRACE TO REGULATE THE FENCING OF PRIVATE SWIMMING POOLS.","BYLAW NO. 1709-2000"]}],"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\nSection 3.6 of [Zoning Bylaw 2069](https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249) sets maximum fence heights, measured from ground level to the top of the fence at any point. The [Building Bylaw](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959) does not apply to a fence, so no building permit is needed.\n\n| Zone | Front yard | Side and rear yard |\n|---|---|---|\n| Agricultural and Residential | 1.2 m | 1.85 m |\n| Commercial, Industrial, Public | 1.2 m (1.8 m open mesh) | 3.0 m (open mesh) |\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Where the front parcel line is next to an arterial road identified in the Official Community Plan, a front-yard fence in a residential or agricultural zone may be 1.85 m.\n- In every zone, nothing (fence, wall, hedge, bush or tree) may block vision in the corner area at a street, lane or driveway corner. Fences and walls there may not exceed 1.0 m. The area is bounded by the parcel lines and a line joining points 6.0 m from where they meet.\n- Barbed wire is allowed only on farm land for livestock, or above 1.85 m in industrial and public zones. Electrified wire is allowed only on farm land for livestock. Razor wire is banned.\n- Pool fences: [Private Swimming Pool Bylaw 1709-2000](https://www.terrace.ca/media/3935) requires at least 1.5 m high with openings no more than 100 mm.\n- A retaining wall over 1.2 m high needs a building permit.\n- If your lot is in an Official Community Plan development permit area, such as an environmentally sensitive area, a development permit may still be needed. Check TerraMap or call Development Services.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249","title":"Zoning Consolidated Bylaw No. 2069-2014 (PDF, to Bylaw 2345-2026), City of Terrace","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3959","title":"Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024 (PDF), City of Terrace","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3935","title":"Private Swimming Pool Bylaw No. 1709-2000 (PDF), City of Terrace","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/sites/default/files/docs/business-development/planning-document/Fact-Sheets/ds-11-fact-sheet-building-a-fence.pdf","title":"Fact Sheet DS-11 Building a Fence (PDF), City of Terrace","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/sites/default/files/ESA%20Strategy%20-%20FINAL.pdf","title":"Environmentally Sensitive Areas Strategy (Final), City of Terrace","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4106","title":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4106","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","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/terrace/fence-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/fence-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/fence-rules.json"}}