---
title: "Vernon fence rules: permits and height limits"
question: "Do I need a permit to build a fence, and how high can it be?"
place: Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/vernon
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Vernon
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/fence-rules/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/fence-rules.json"
---

# Vernon fence rules: permits and height limits

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Vernon, https://www.vernon.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Planning and Community Services, 250-550-3634
- Email: Planning, planning@vernon.ca
- In person: Community Services Building, 3001 32 Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 2L8

## Key facts

- **Permit:** No building permit is needed for a fence. Retaining walls are different (see other rules).
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 5900, s. 3.3(a)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "except as set out in Part 11 [Retaining Walls] of this bylaw, a fence;"
  - Source: [Building Permit Application, Do I Need a Permit?](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application)
  - Official wording: "Fencing and other landscaping."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, front yard:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening, s. 6.5.1](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, side and rear yards:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening, s. 6.5.1.3-.4](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Corner lots and sightlines:** 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.
  - Source: [Traffic Bylaw 5600, Schedule B, B.1](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/traffic_bylaw_5600.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Traffic Bylaw 5600, Schedule B, B.2](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/traffic_bylaw_5600.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A Sight Triangle reduction may be considered for new or existing development,"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening, s. 6.5.1](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Subject to traffic sight lines, Fence height measured from Natural Grade shall not exceed:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other rules:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening, s. 6.5.4](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No barbed wire or electrified Fencing shall be allowed, except:" … "Razor wire Fences shall not be permitted in any zone."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening, s. 6.6.1](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 5900, s. 14.2-14.3](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** 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)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening, s. 6.5-6.6](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Fence height measured from Natural Grade shall not exceed:"
  - Source: [Traffic Bylaw 5600, Schedule B](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/traffic_bylaw_5600.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 5900, Part 14](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A swimming pool, including a spa or hot tub must be enclosed within a fence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

A 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.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- Barbed wire and electric fences are not allowed (exceptions: livestock enclosures in agricultural zones, and detention facilities). Razor wire is banned everywhere.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- Not sure of your lot line or zone? Ask Planning on 250-550-3634 before you build.

## Official forms and pages

- [Section 6 - Landscape and Screening, Zoning Bylaw 6000 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf)
- [Traffic Bylaw 5600 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/traffic_bylaw_5600.pdf)
- [Retaining Wall Permit Application](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/retaining-wall-permit-application)

## Related questions

- [Vernon building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/building-permit.md)
- [Vernon permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/fence-rules.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/fence-rules.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/fence-rules.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/fence-rules.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/fence-rules.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/fence-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw 6000, Section 6 Landscape and Screening (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/planning-building/zoning/bylaw6000/section-6-landscape-and-screening.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw 5900 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/5900_building_bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Traffic Bylaw 5600 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/traffic_bylaw_5600.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Permit Application, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/homes-building/permits-applications/building-permit-application/building-permit-application) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 6048 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%206048.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 6049 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Municipal%20Ticketing%20Information%20Bylaw%206049.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Contact Us, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/government-services/contact-us) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Vernon. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/fence-rules/_