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Terrace fence rules: permits and height limits

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

Terrace, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

PermitNo 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.Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, s. 3.4.3, 15.2; Environmentally Sensitive Areas Strategy (Final), s. 5.3 Development Classification; https://www.terrace.ca/media/4106, Development Permit Areas, Exemptions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
a fence, a trellis, an arbour, or other similar landscaping or decorative structures.
No person may construct a retaining wall without a permit.
Activities considered to be development will be required
Fences, patios, docks, wharves, or bridges; and
A proposed development that solely consists of the construction or placement of fences, gates, landscaping and signage that comply with all applicable DPA
Height, front yard1.2 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.Zoning Consolidated Bylaw No. 2069-2014 (PDF, to Bylaw 2345-2026), s. 3.6.1, 3.6.2; Fact Sheet DS-11 Building a Fence, How tall can I build a fence? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
On residential properties, fences can be a maximum
Height, side and rear yards1.85 m in side and rear yards in Agricultural and Residential zones.Zoning Consolidated Bylaw No. 2069-2014 (PDF, to Bylaw 2345-2026), s. 3.6.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Agricultural and Residential 1.2 m 1.85 m
Subject to the visual clearance requirements of Section 3.9, fences must comply
Corner lots and sightlinesIn 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.Zoning Consolidated Bylaw No. 2069-2014 (PDF, to Bylaw 2345-2026), s. 3.9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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.
Other rulesHeight 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).Zoning Consolidated Bylaw No. 2069-2014 (PDF, to Bylaw 2345-2026), s. 2 (fence definition), 3.6.3-3.6.5; Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024, s. 2 definitions; Private Swimming Pool Bylaw No. 1709-2000, Bylaw 1709-2000 s. 2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
RETAINING WALL means a structure exceeding 1.2 metres in height that is intended to hold or retain soil or other material.
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
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 2069-2014, s. 3.6 (fences) and s. 3.9 (visual clearance); Private Swimming Pool Bylaw No. 1709-2000 (pool fences)Zoning Consolidated Bylaw No. 2069-2014 (PDF, to Bylaw 2345-2026), Title page, s. 3.6, 3.9; Private Swimming Pool Bylaw No. 1709-2000, Title, s. 2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
City of Terrace Zoning Bylaw No. 2069 - 2014
(and Amendments thereto up to and including Bylaw #2345-2026)
3.6 Fences
A BYLAW OF THE CITY OF TERRACE TO REGULATE THE FENCING OF PRIVATE SWIMMING POOLS.
BYLAW NO. 1709-2000

How it works

Section 3.6 of Zoning Bylaw 2069 sets maximum fence heights, measured from ground level to the top of the fence at any point. The Building Bylaw does not apply to a fence, so no building permit is needed.

Zone Front yard Side and rear yard
Agricultural and Residential 1.2 m 1.85 m
Commercial, Industrial, Public 1.2 m (1.8 m open mesh) 3.0 m (open mesh)

Good to know

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Pool fences: Private Swimming Pool Bylaw 1709-2000 requires at least 1.5 m high with openings no more than 100 mm.
  • A retaining wall over 1.2 m high needs a building permit.
  • 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.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Kitimat · New Hazelton · Smithers · Telkwa · Hazelton · Port Edward

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Consolidated Bylaw No. 2069-2014 (PDF, to Bylaw 2345-2026), City of Terrace (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Building Bylaw No. 2307-2024 (PDF), City of Terrace (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Private Swimming Pool Bylaw No. 1709-2000 (PDF), City of Terrace (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Fact Sheet DS-11 Building a Fence (PDF), City of Terrace (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Environmentally Sensitive Areas Strategy (Final), City of Terrace (read 2026-11-05)
  6. https://www.terrace.ca/media/4106 (read 2026-11-05)

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.