Metal fencing guide
Metal fence permits and bylaws across Metro Vancouver
The two questions that come up before almost every fence project: what height is allowed without a permit, and where exactly does the fence have to sit? Get these wrong and you are looking at a removal order after the fence is installed. The rules vary by municipality, by location on the lot, and by whether the property is on a corner. This guide covers the key points for Metro Vancouver, but because bylaws change and rules differ by zone, always verify with your local building department before finalising the design.
Height limits by municipality
The table below shows typical fence height limits and permit thresholds across Metro Vancouver. These are based on published municipal bylaws as of 2026, confirm current rules with your city before specifying a fence design.
| Municipality | Front yard / rear-side yard limits | Permit trigger | Key notes | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Vancouver | 1.2 m front yard; 2.4 m rear/side yard | Permit required above 2.4 m; heritage district review adds requirements | Visibility triangles on corner lots strictly enforced | vancouver.ca |
| Burnaby | 1.2 m front yard; 1.8 m rear/side without permit | Building permit required for fences over 1.8 m | Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) parcels have separate rules | burnaby.ca |
| North Vancouver (City) | 1.2 m front yard; 2.0 m rear/side | Building permit above 2.0 m | Hillside zones may add screening requirements | cnv.org |
| North Vancouver (District) | 1.2 m front yard; 1.8 to 2.0 m rear/side | Confirm current bylaw, different from City of North Van | Larger lots have different setback rules | dnv.org |
| West Vancouver | 1.2 m front yard; 1.8 m rear/side | Design review may apply in certain areas | Higher standards in some streetscapes | westvancouver.ca |
| Coquitlam | 1.2 m front yard; 1.8 m rear/side | Permit required above 1.8 m | Standard permit process | coquitlam.ca |
| Port Moody | 1.2 m front yard; 1.8 m rear/side | Building permit above 1.8 m | Standard process | portmoody.ca |
| New Westminster | 1.2 m front yard; 2.0 m rear/side | Heritage review for Queens Park area | Some commercial zones have different rules | newwestcity.ca |
| Richmond | 1.2 m front yard; 1.8 to 2.0 m rear/side | Visibility triangle rules strictly enforced near intersections | Flood construction level may affect post depth in some areas | richmond.ca |
| Surrey | 1.2 m front yard; 1.8 m rear/side | Permit required above limits | Corner lot rules important | surrey.ca |
| Langley (Township) | 1.2 m front yard; 1.8 m rear/side | Standard permit process | Larger parcels in rural zones have more flexibility | tol.ca |
| Squamish | 1.2 m front yard; 1.8 to 2.0 m rear/side | Wind exposure documentation may be required on some sites | Confirm current zoning rules | squamish.ca |
The visibility triangle, corner lots and driveways
Every corner lot in Metro Vancouver has a visibility triangle, a zone near the intersection where fence height is restricted to protect sightlines for drivers and cyclists. The size of the triangle varies by municipality (typically 6 to 9 m from the corner along each lot line) and the height limit within it is usually 0.9 m. Even a fence that complies with the general height limits must stay below this threshold inside the triangle.
Driveways also create mini sight triangles, depending on the municipality, the area beside a driveway entrance may also have reduced height limits to maintain driver visibility at the exit. If your fence is near the driveway or on a corner lot, confirm the triangle requirements with the building department before finalising the fence layout.
When a permit is required
Most residential metal fences below the municipal height limit do not require a building permit. Permits are typically triggered when:
- Fence height exceeds the bylaw limit for the yard location (front vs rear vs side)
- Fence is on a commercial or industrial property
- Fence is in a heritage conservation area or design-controlled streetscape
- Fence posts require engineered concrete footings (some municipalities trigger this at certain fence heights)
- Fence is combined with a retaining wall structure
A permit application for a fence typically requires a site plan (fence location, setbacks), elevation drawings (height and profile), and sometimes footing detail drawings. We can produce the fabrication and installation drawings for the permit package.
Property line confirmation
A fence on an uncertain property line is a legal risk. In older Metro Vancouver residential areas, particularly pre-1970 housing stock in Burnaby, New Westminster, and East Van, fences have sometimes drifted over decades and may not reflect the actual survey boundary. If you are not confident about the property line location, a registered BC land surveyor can provide a survey certificate confirming the boundary before posts are set. This is a small cost compared to a fence relocation dispute with a neighbour.
Related guides
- Fence types and design options
- Materials and finishes
- Driveway gate permits, covers gate-specific rules by municipality
FAQs
Do I need a permit to replace an existing metal fence with a new one of the same height?
In most Metro Vancouver municipalities, replacing a fence of the same height and type in the same location is considered maintenance and does not require a building permit. However, if you are changing materials significantly (e.g. from a wood fence to a solid metal panel fence), adding new concrete post footings, or changing the fence height or alignment, a permit may be required. When in doubt, call the local building department, a 5-minute phone call avoids a costly removal order later.
What is a visibility triangle and why does it restrict fence height?
A visibility triangle (sometimes called a sight triangle or corner truncation) is the area at a street corner or driveway intersection that must be kept clear of obstructions above a certain height, typically 0.9 m, so drivers can see pedestrians, cyclists, and oncoming vehicles. Most Metro Vancouver municipalities define the triangle as extending 6 to 9 m from the corner along each lot line. A fence that enters this zone cannot exceed the sight triangle height limit, regardless of the general rear/side yard height allowance. Corner lot properties almost always have visibility triangle constraints, check your specific lot before designing any fence.
What drawings do I need for a fencing permit application?
Most municipalities require a site plan showing the fence location relative to property lines and any setbacks, a fence elevation drawing showing height and profile, and detail drawings for post footings if the posts require concrete bases. For simple residential fences, a scaled sketch can often suffice. For commercial fences, privacy fences near the height limit, or anything in a heritage area, the building department may ask for stamped engineering drawings showing post sizing and footing design. We can produce the fabrication drawings, if engineering is required, we coordinate with a P.Eng.
Can I build a fence right on my property line?
In most Metro Vancouver municipalities, yes, fences can be built on or very near the property line. But this requires that the property line is accurately known. If there is any uncertainty about the property line location, a surveyor should be engaged before the fence posts are set. A fence built even slightly over the property line onto a neighbour's lot is an encroachment and can require relocation at the fence owner's cost. The cost of a survey is far less than a fence relocation dispute.
Are there rules about what a fence can look like in a heritage area?
Yes. Heritage conservation areas in Metro Vancouver, including parts of New Westminster's Queens Park, some Shaughnessy and First Shaughnessy blocks in Vancouver, and various heritage streetscapes, have additional design controls on fencing. The municipality's heritage office or planning department reviews fence designs to ensure they are compatible with the heritage character of the area. Metal fencing is generally acceptable in heritage areas if it is appropriate in scale and character, vertical picket fencing in a heritage-appropriate profile typically passes; solid steel privacy panels typically do not. Confirm with the relevant heritage office before proceeding.
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