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White Rock fence rules: permits and height limits

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

White Rock, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

PermitNo 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.Building Bylaw 1928, s. 2.0 Definitions, 'structure' · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
but specifically excludes landscaping, fences,
Height, front yardMaximum 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).Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, section 4.12), s. 4.12.2; Good Neighbour Guide (PDF, Fencing Rules) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
may be sited on any portion of a lot; and
shall not exceed a height of 2.0m (6.56ft).
Max height: 2.0 m (6.56 ft).
Height, side and rear yardsMaximum 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.Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, section 4.12), s. 4.12.2; Good Neighbour Guide (PDF, Fencing Rules) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
shall not exceed a height of 2.0m (6.56ft).
Must be entirely within your property lines.
Corner lots and sightlinesA 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.Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, section 4.12), s. 4.12.1; Good Neighbour Guide (PDF, Fencing Rules) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
Corner lots: Within 4.5 m of corner to max 1.0 m height.
Other rulesFence 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.Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, section 4.12), s. 3 Definitions; Building Bylaw 1928, s. 20.1; Building Bylaw 1928, s. 23.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
of the fence and the natural grade elevation at that point
construction or structural repair of any retaining structure greater than 1.2 meters in
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.
BylawWhite 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)Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, section 4.12), s. 4.12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
4.12 Screening & Fencing
WHITE ROCK ZONING BYLAW, 2024, No. 2506

How it works

The Zoning Bylaw 2506 (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 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

The same question in other places

Surrey · Langley City · Township of Langley · Delta · New Westminster · Burnaby

Fence height limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw 2024, No. 2506 (PDF, section 4.12), City of White Rock (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Building Bylaw 1928 (PDF), City of White Rock (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Good Neighbour Guide (PDF, Fencing Rules), City of White Rock (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw 1929 (PDF, consolidated November 2024), City of White Rock (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.