{"title":"Vernon 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/vernon","name":"Vernon","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 Vernon","url":"https://www.vernon.ca"},"short_answer":"In the City of Vernon a fence does not need a building permit, but Zoning Bylaw 6000 limits its height. In housing zones a fence can be 1.2 m high at the street setback and up to 2.0 m behind it or along side and rear lot lines. Retaining walls and pool enclosures have their own rules.","aliases":["fence height vernon","fence bylaw vernon bc","how tall can my fence be vernon","retaining wall permit vernon"],"cost":"No building permit fee for a fence. A Retaining Wall Permit application fee is $150 where one is required.","how_long":"Not applicable for a fence.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Planning and Community Services","value":"250-550-3634"},{"type":"email","label":"Planning","value":"planning@vernon.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Community Services Building","value":"3001 32 Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 2L8"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Section 6 - Landscape and Screening, Zoning Bylaw 6000 (PDF)","url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf"},{"title":"Traffic Bylaw 5600 (PDF)","url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/traffic_bylaw_5600.pdf"},{"title":"Retaining Wall Permit Application","url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/retaining-wall-permit-application"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Vernon building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Vernon permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/armstrong","name":"Armstrong","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/fence-rules/"},{"place":"ca/bc/enderby","name":"Enderby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/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 is needed for a fence. Retaining walls are different (see other rules).","short":"No building permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 5900 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.3(a)","quotes":["except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining Walls] of this bylaw, a fence;"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application","title":"Building Permit Application, City of Vernon","section":"Do I Need a Permit?","quotes":["Fencing and other landscaping."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_front":{"label":"Height, front yard","value":"1.2 m maximum, measured from natural grade, in housing, resort, community and commercial mixed-use zones. One pedestrian gate up to 2.0 m high and 1.0 m wide is allowed within the setback abutting a street. All subject to traffic sight lines.","short":"1.2 m","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening (PDF)","section":"s. 6.5.1","quotes":["Subject to traffic sight lines, Fence height measured from Natural Grade shall not exceed:","1.2 m in housing, resort, community, and commercial mixed-use zones.","One gate for pedestrian access may be 2.0 m in height with a maximum width of 1.0"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"height_side_rear":{"label":"Height, side and rear yards","value":"Up to 2.0 m if behind the setback abutting a street, or along a lot line not abutting a street (housing, resort, community and commercial mixed-use zones). Up to 2.4 m where abutting an agricultural or industrial zone.","short":"2.0 m (2.4 m next to agricultural, industrial)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening (PDF)","section":"s. 6.5.1.3-.4","quotes":["The maximum Fence height may increase to 2.0 m if situated behind the Setback","abutting a Street, or along a Lot Line not abutting a Street;","The maximum Fence height may increase to 2.4 m where abutting an agricultural or"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"corner_lots":{"label":"Corner lots and sightlines","value":"Zoning fence limits are 'subject to traffic sight lines'. On a corner parcel, no fence, structure, retaining wall or vegetation is allowed between 0.9 m and 2.75 m above grade inside the sight triangle, which extends 9.0 m from the corner (5.0 m between laneways). A reduction needs an engineer's opinion and the City Engineer's approval.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/traffic_bylaw_5600.pdf","title":"Traffic Bylaw 5600 (PDF)","section":"Schedule B, B.1","quotes":["No owner or occupier of a corner parcel at any intersection shall be permitted to","erect or grow any structure, fence, retaining wall or vegetation where it is within the","vertical area contained within 0.9 and 2.75 metres above the finished grade of the","measured 9.0 m from their"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/traffic_bylaw_5600.pdf","title":"Traffic Bylaw 5600 (PDF)","section":"Schedule B, B.2","quotes":["A Sight Triangle reduction may be considered for new or existing development,"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening (PDF)","section":"s. 6.5.1","quotes":["Subject to traffic sight lines, Fence height measured from Natural Grade shall not exceed:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_rules":{"label":"Other rules","value":"Barbed wire and electric fences are not allowed (exceptions: livestock enclosures in agricultural zones; detention facilities); razor wire is banned everywhere. Retaining walls: 1.2 m maximum (except where required for subdivision approval). Pool or hot tub enclosure: at least 1.22 m high, openings no more than 100 mm, self-closing and self-latching gate.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening (PDF)","section":"s. 6.5.4","quotes":["No barbed wire or electrified Fencing shall be allowed, except:","Razor wire Fences shall not be permitted in any zone."]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening (PDF)","section":"s. 6.6.1","quotes":["Retaining Wall height, measured from Natural Grade on the lower side of the wall, shall","not exceed 1.2 m, except for Retaining Walls required as a condition of subdivision"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 5900 (PDF)","section":"s. 14.2-14.3","quotes":["having a minimum height of 1.22 metres and no openings","Access through a fence enclosing a swimming pool, spa or hot tub must be"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 6000, s. 6.5 (Fencing) and 6.6 (Retaining Walls); Traffic Bylaw No. 5600, Schedule B (Sight Triangle Requirements); Building Bylaw No. 5900, Part 14 (Pools)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening (PDF)","section":"s. 6.5-6.6","quotes":["Fence height measured from Natural Grade shall not exceed:"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/traffic_bylaw_5600.pdf","title":"Traffic Bylaw 5600 (PDF)","section":"Schedule B","quotes":["SCHEDULE B SIGHT TRIANGLE REQUIREMENTS B.1. No owner or occupier of a corner parcel at any intersection shall be permitted to","CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE","AMENDMENTS TO BYLAW 5600 BYLAW ADOPTION AMENDMENTS"]},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 5900 (PDF)","section":"Part 14","quotes":["A swimming pool, including a spa or hot tub must be enclosed within a fence"]}],"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\nA fence does not need a building permit ([Building Bylaw 5900](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf) s. 3.3). Height and materials are set by [Zoning Bylaw 6000](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf) sections 6.5 (fencing) and 6.6 (retaining walls). Heights are measured from natural grade and are subject to traffic sight lines.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Housing, resort, community and commercial mixed-use zones: 1.2 m maximum. One pedestrian gate up to 2.0 m high and 1.0 m wide is allowed within the setback abutting a street.\n- In those zones a fence can be up to 2.0 m if it is behind the setback abutting a street, or along a lot line that does not abut a street. It can be up to 2.4 m where it abuts an agricultural or industrial zone. Industrial and servicing zones allow 2.4 m.\n- Corner lots: no fence, structure, retaining wall or vegetation is allowed between 0.9 m and 2.75 m above grade inside the sight triangle, which extends 9.0 m from the corner (5.0 m between laneways). A reduction needs an engineer's opinion and the City Engineer's approval ([Traffic Bylaw 5600](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/traffic_bylaw_5600.pdf), Schedule B).\n- Barbed wire and electric fences are not allowed (exceptions: livestock enclosures in agricultural zones, and detention facilities). Razor wire is banned everywhere.\n- Retaining walls: 1.2 m maximum, except where required for subdivision approval. Where a fence and retaining wall are combined, the total at the lot line may not exceed 2.0 m. The City's page says a retaining wall permit is needed for walls 1.2 m or higher.\n- Pool or hot tub enclosure: at least 1.22 m high, openings no more than 100 mm, and a self-closing, self-latching gate. A pool enclosure needs a pool building permit.\n- An over-height fence in a housing zone can bring a bylaw notice of $250 ($225 if paid within 14 days) or a municipal ticket of $500 ($450 early).\n- Not sure of your lot line or zone? Ask Planning on 250-550-3634 before you build.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw 5900 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/traffic_bylaw_5600.pdf","title":"Traffic Bylaw 5600 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application","title":"Building Permit Application, City of Vernon","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%206048.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 6048 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Municipal%20Ticketing%20Information%20Bylaw%206049.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 6049 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.vernon.ca/government-services/contact-us","title":"Contact Us, City of Vernon","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/vernon/fence-rules/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/fence-rules.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/fence-rules.json"}}