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

# White Rock 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 White Rock a fence does not need a building permit, because the Building Bylaw's definition of "structure" excludes fences. The Zoning Bylaw limits a fence to 2.0 m (6.56 ft) high, and to 1.0 m (3.28 ft) within 4.5 m of an exterior lot corner.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of White Rock, https://www.whiterockcity.ca)  
**Cost:** No building permit is needed for a fence, so there is no permit fee.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Building Department (zoning and permit questions), 604-541-2149
- Phone: Bylaw Enforcement (complaints), 604-541-2146
- Email: Bylaw Enforcement, bylaw@whiterockcity.ca

## Key facts

- **Permit:** No building permit is needed for a fence: the Building Bylaw's definition of structure excludes fences. Fences must still meet Zoning Bylaw s. 4.12 (2.0 m maximum, 1.0 m within 4.5 m of an exterior lot corner). A pool enclosure falls under the pool permit.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 1928, s. 2.0 Definitions, 'structure'](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/266/Building-Bylaw-2012-Number-1928-PDF)
  - Official wording: "but specifically excludes landscaping, fences,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, front yard:** Maximum 2.0 m (6.56 ft). Section 4.12 sets one limit for fences anywhere on a lot and does not set a separate front-yard height. Within 4.5 m of an exterior lot corner the limit is 1.0 m (3.28 ft).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, section 4.12), s. 4.12.2](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "may be sited on any portion of a lot; and" … "shall not exceed a height of 2.0m (6.56ft)."
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Guide (PDF, Fencing Rules)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/12898)
  - Official wording: "Max height: 2.0 m (6.56 ft)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Height, side and rear yards:** Maximum 2.0 m (6.56 ft), and the fence may be on any portion of the lot (subject to the corner rule). Must be entirely within your property lines.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, section 4.12), s. 4.12.2](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "shall not exceed a height of 2.0m (6.56ft)."
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Guide (PDF, Fencing Rules)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/12898)
  - Official wording: "Must be entirely within your property lines."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Corner lots and sightlines:** A fence, wall or similar structure over 1.0 m (3.28 ft) high is not allowed within 4.5 m (14.76 ft) of an exterior lot corner formed by an exterior side lot line and a front or rear lot line meeting at an interior angle of 135 degrees or less.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, section 4.12), s. 4.12.1](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "A fence, wall or similar structure over 1.0m (3.28ft) in height shall not be permitted" … "within 4.5m (14.76ft) of an exterior lot corner"
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Guide (PDF, Fencing Rules)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/12898)
  - Official wording: "Corner lots: Within 4.5 m of corner to max 1.0 m height."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other rules:** Fence height is measured from the natural grade at that point to the fence's highest point. Retaining structures over 1.2 m need a registered professional's design and field reviews. Pool enclosures must be at least 1.0668 m (3.5 ft) high with a self-latching gate.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, section 4.12), s. 3 Definitions](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "of the fence and the natural grade elevation at that point"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 1928, s. 20.1](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/266/Building-Bylaw-2012-Number-1928-PDF)
  - Official wording: "construction or structural repair of any retaining structure greater than 1.2 meters in"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw 1928, s. 23.3](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/266/Building-Bylaw-2012-Number-1928-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Every pool shall be completely enclosed within a fence or other structure that is not" … "less than 1.0668 metres (3.5 feet) in height."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** White Rock Zoning Bylaw, 2024, No. 2506, s. 4.12 Screening & Fencing (retaining structures and pool fences: Building Bylaw, 2012, No. 1928, ss. 20 and 23)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, section 4.12), s. 4.12](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
  - Official wording: "4.12 Screening & Fencing" … "WHITE ROCK ZONING BYLAW, 2024, No. 2506"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Zoning Bylaw 2506](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024) (section 4.12) allows a fence on any part of a lot up to 2.0 m (6.56 ft) high. Height is measured from the natural grade at that point to the fence's highest point. The fence must be entirely within your property lines.

Corner rule: a fence, wall or similar structure over 1.0 m (3.28 ft) high is not allowed within 4.5 m (14.76 ft) of an exterior lot corner. That is a corner formed by an exterior side lot line and a front or rear lot line meeting at an interior angle of 135 degrees or less.

The [Building Bylaw 1928](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/266/Building-Bylaw-2012-Number-1928-PDF) leaves fences out of its definition of "structure", so a fence needs no building permit.

## Steps

1. Confirm where your property lines are. The Good Neighbour Guide suggests considering a professional survey.
2. Keep the fence at or under 2.0 m, and at or under 1.0 m inside the corner area if your lot is on a corner.
3. Ask the Building Department, 604-541-2149, if you want something outside these limits or are unsure about your zone.

## Good to know

- The bylaw sets one height limit for the whole lot. It does not set a separate front-yard height.
- Pool enclosures are covered by the pool permit and must be at least 1.0668 m (3.5 ft) high with a self-latching gate.
- Retaining structures over 1.2 m need a registered professional's design and field reviews.
- Failing to comply with the fencing requirements can bring a ticket under the Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw: $500 for a first offence, $1,000 for a second and $2,000 for a third and later.
- The bylaws and City pages read set no rules on barbed wire, electric fences or hedges. Ask Bylaw Enforcement, 604-541-2146.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw 2506, section 4.12 Screening & Fencing (PDF)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024)
- [Building Bylaw 1928 (PDF)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/266/Building-Bylaw-2012-Number-1928-PDF)

## Related questions

- [White Rock building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/building-permit.md)
- [White Rock permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/deck-shed-garage-permit.md)
- [White Rock zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fence-rules.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/fence-rules.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/fence-rules.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/fence-rules.md)
- [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/fence-rules.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/fence-rules.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/fence-rules.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, section 4.12), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8003/Zoning-Bylaw-2024-No-2506-Adopted-June-27-2024) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw 1928 (PDF), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/266/Building-Bylaw-2012-Number-1928-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Good Neighbour Guide (PDF, Fencing Rules), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/12898) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw 1929 (PDF, consolidated November 2024), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2072/Consolidated---Ticketing-for-Bylaw-Offences-2011-No-1929-PDF) (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 White Rock. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/fence-rules/_