Vancouver fence rules: permits and height limits
Do I need a fence permit in Vancouver, and how high can my fence be?
Short answer
In Vancouver, a fence in a required front yard in an R or C-1 district may be up to 1.2 m. The general required-yard limit is 1.9 m. A boundary retaining wall can lower the permitted height. Ask Planning about an over-height proposal.
Key facts
| Permit | For an over-height fence, seek a variation from the Director of Planning. The Director must first notify the property owners they consider necessary.Zoning and Development By-law, section 10, Zoning and Development By-law, sections 10.10.3–10.10.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording10.10.3 A fence or similar structure is permitted in a required yard or on the boundaries of a required yard if it does not exceed 1.9 m in height. 10.10.4 Despite section 10.10.3, a fence or similar structure is permitted in a required front yard or on the boundaries of a required front yard located in the C-1 district or any R district if it does not exceed 1.2 m in height. 10.10.5 Where a fence is erected or placed above a common boundary retaining wall or within 1.0 m of a common boundary retaining wall, the maximum permitted height will be reduced by half of the height of the retaining 10.10.6 The Director of Planning may permit a fence or similar structure that does not comply with sections 10.10.3, 10.10.4, and 10.10.5, however, in the case of a variation of the height limitations of this section 10.10, the Director of Planning must first notify such property owners as the Director of Planning deems necessary. |
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| Height, front yard | In an R district or C-1, the limit is 1.2 m within or on the boundary of a required front yard. Measure at ground level along the fence line.Zoning and Development By-law, section 10, Zoning and Development By-law, sections 10.10.2–10.10.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording10.10.2 Height must be measured from any point on the ground level of the site at the structure or fence line. 10.10.3 A fence or similar structure is permitted in a required yard or on the boundaries of a required yard if it does not exceed 1.9 m in height. 10.10.4 Despite section 10.10.3, a fence or similar structure is permitted in a required front yard or on the boundaries of a required front yard located in the C-1 district or any R district if it does not exceed 1.2 m in height. |
| Height, side and rear yards | The general limit in a required yard or on its boundary is 1.9 m. A fence above or within 1.0 m of a common boundary retaining wall is subject to a reduced limit.Zoning and Development By-law, section 10, Zoning and Development By-law, sections 10.10.2–10.10.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording10.10.2 Height must be measured from any point on the ground level of the site at the structure or fence line. 10.10.3 A fence or similar structure is permitted in a required yard or on the boundaries of a required yard if it does not exceed 1.9 m in height. 10.10.4 Despite section 10.10.3, a fence or similar structure is permitted in a required front yard or on the boundaries of a required front yard located in the C-1 district or any R district if it does not exceed 1.2 m in height. 10.10.5 Where a fence is erected or placed above a common boundary retaining wall or within 1.0 m of a common boundary retaining wall, the maximum permitted height will be reduced by half of the height of the retaining wall.City of Vancouver October 2026 |
| Corner lots and sightlines | Not confirmed. Checked Building a fence or wall; not found there. |
| Other rules | Gates, screens, walls and trellises count as fences. If the fence sits above or within 1.0 m of a common boundary retaining wall, subtract half the wall height from the permitted fence height.Zoning and Development By-law, section 10, Zoning and Development By-law, sections 10.10.1–10.10.2 and 10.10.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording10.10.1 For the purposes of this section 10.10, the term “fence” includes arbors, archways, boundary fences, gates, pergolas, screens, trellises, walls and similar structures. 10.10.2 Height must be measured from any point on the ground level of the site at the structure or fence line. 10.10.5 Where a fence is erected or placed above a common boundary retaining wall or within 1.0 m of a common boundary retaining wall, the maximum permitted height will be reduced by half of the height of the retaining wall.City of Vancouver October 2026 |
| Bylaw | Vancouver Zoning and Development By-law, section 10.10, Fence.Zoning and Development By-law, section 10, Zoning and Development By-law, section 10.10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording10.10 Fence 10.10.1 For the purposes of this section 10.10, the term “fence” includes arbors, archways, boundary fences, gates, pergolas, screens, trellises, walls and similar structures. 10.10.2 Height must be measured from any point on the ground level of the site at the structure or fence line. 10.10.3 A fence or similar structure is permitted in a required yard or on the boundaries of a required yard if it does not exceed 1.9 m in height. 10.10.4 Despite section 10.10.3, a fence or similar structure is permitted in a required front yard or on the boundaries of a required front yard located in the C-1 district or any R district if it does not exceed 1.2 m in height. |
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. Measure at ground level along the proposed fence line. On a slope, mark the height at each point along the run.
Steps
- Check the fence provisions in Building a fence or wall. 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.
- 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
- Gates, screens, walls and trellises count as fences. If the fence sits above or within 1.0 m of a common boundary retaining wall, subtract half the wall height from the permitted fence height.
- For an over-height fence, seek a variation from the Director of Planning. The Director must first notify the property owners they consider necessary.
- 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.
- Read the applicable provisions in Zoning and Development By-law, section 10 (PDF).
The same question in other places
Richmond · Burnaby · North Vancouver · District of North Vancouver · New Westminster · Delta
Sources
- Building a fence or wall (read 2026-11-09)
- Digital Zoning Map (read 2026-11-09)
- Vancouver municipal office contact information (read 2026-11-09)
- Zoning and Development By-law, section 10 (PDF) (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.