{"id":"fence-rules-greater-victoria","title":"Fence rules in the thirteen Greater Victoria municipalities","description":"Residential fence height, measurement method, retaining-wall treatment, corner rule, water setback, permit trigger, prohibited materials, structure classification and maximum penalty for all thirteen Greater Victoria local governments, read from the governing bylaw of each on 29 September 2026. Two municipalities — Metchosin and Colwood — set no residential fence height at all; those cells read \"none set\", which is a finding and not a missing value.","publisher":"Greater Victoria Fencing","url":"https://greatervictoriafencing.com/data/fence-rules-greater-victoria","license":"CC BY 4.0 — reuse with attribution to Greater Victoria Fencing and a link to /fence-height-rules","verified":"2026-09-29","recheck_by":"2027-03-29","sources":["S-10","S-11","S-12","S-13","S-14","S-15","S-16","S-17","S-18","S-19","S-20","S-21","S-22","S-23","S-24","S-25","S-26","S-27","S-28","S-29"],"columns":["municipality","governing_document","where_the_rules_live","street_facing_max_m","street_facing_datum","side_rear_max_m","measured_from","retaining_wall_treatment","corner_rule","corner_triangle","water_setback","permit_required","prohibited_materials","deer_allowance","pool_enclosure","fence_is_a_structure","maximum_penalty"],"rows":[{"municipality":"City of Victoria","governing_document":"Zoning Regulation Bylaw, Schedule S — Fences (Bylaw No. 23-025, adopted July 27, 2023)","where_the_rules_live":"Schedule S of the Zoning Regulation Bylaw","street_facing_max_m":1.22,"street_facing_datum":"the front yard","side_rear_max_m":1.83,"measured_from":"natural grade; on a slope, re-measured at the highest natural grade adjacent to each corner or edge and then at intervals of no more than 2.5 m","retaining_wall_treatment":"measured from natural grade on the HIGH side of the wall — the wall itself does not count against the fence","corner_rule":"1 m","corner_triangle":"a diagonal 6 m from the corner where one street is an arterial, 3 m otherwise","water_setback":"not addressed in the fence rules","permit_required":"None for a residential fence.","prohibited_materials":"barbed wire; razor wire; razor sharp stainless steel strips or similar material; any electrified fence","deer_allowance":"none","pool_enclosure":"not located in the documents read","fence_is_a_structure":"yes","maximum_penalty":"Not published in Schedule S."},{"municipality":"District of Saanich","governing_document":"Zoning Bylaw No. 8200 (consolidated, amendments to Bylaw 10299, 2026)","where_the_rules_live":"Zoning Bylaw s. 6.2, with s. 5.15, 5.16 and 5.19 overriding it","street_facing_max_m":1.5,"street_facing_datum":"between the required principal-building setback line and any lot line abutting a street — so it catches a flanking street too","side_rear_max_m":1.9,"measured_from":"natural grade; where fill has been placed, from the original natural grade directly below the fence","retaining_wall_treatment":"combined height of wall plus fence must not exceed the fence maximum — except that a fence or guard up to 1.07 m (42 in) is allowed on a wall regardless","corner_rule":"1 m","corner_triangle":"9.0 m each way from the intersection — the largest in the region","water_setback":"No fence, wall, screen or combination over 0.6 m within 7.5 m of the ocean's natural boundary (excluding Portage Inlet and the Gorge Waterway); no structure within 7.5 m of a watercourse named in Schedule B of the Watercourse and Drainage Bylaw No. 7501.","permit_required":"None for a residential fence.","prohibited_materials":"none stated","deer_allowance":"Deer fences and deer fence extensions to a combined 2.5 m are permitted on agricultural lots and on any other lot, provided the material is non-opaque except for posts and the fence does not border a street or sit on a street corner.","pool_enclosure":"Separate bylaw: enclosure not less than 1.2 m, ground clearance not more than 10 cm, self-closing self-locking gate latched at the top and inside. It also covers liquid storage tanks deeper than 45 cm, excluding tanks with a cover able to carry a 68 kg person.","fence_is_a_structure":"yes","maximum_penalty":"the fence provisions do not state one."},{"municipality":"District of Oak Bay","governing_document":"Screens and Fences Bylaw No. 3536, 1986 (amended by 3546, 3602 and 4282)","where_the_rules_live":"a standalone Screens and Fences Bylaw, not the zoning bylaw","street_facing_max_m":1.38,"street_facing_datum":"within 7.62 m (25 ft) of any property line abutting a street","side_rear_max_m":2,"measured_from":"the top of the fence down to the HIGHEST natural ground within 1 m in any direction — the most builder-friendly rule in the region","retaining_wall_treatment":"the bylaw caps a wall's exposed face at 1.2 m but states no combined wall-plus-fence rule; its fence definition includes \"a wall\", which is unresolved","corner_rule":"1 m","corner_triangle":"a 25 ft square whose corner sits at the intersection of the PAVED ROADS, with one side along the road edge","water_setback":"No fence within 7.62 m of a stream's high water mark or the top of a ravine bank; between 7.62 m and 10 m the Riparian Areas Regulation assessment process applies.","permit_required":"None. The building bylaw excludes fences from \"structure\", though a retaining wall of 1.2 m or more does need one.","prohibited_materials":"none stated","deer_allowance":"none","pool_enclosure":"Not less than 1.2 m; no opening that passes a 100 mm sphere; nothing between 100 mm and 1 m above the ground that would help a child climb; self-closing self-locking gates kept locked when not in use.","fence_is_a_structure":"yes","maximum_penalty":"Up to $2,000 plus costs — the lowest maximum in the region."},{"municipality":"Township of Esquimalt","governing_document":"Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050 (consolidated September 3, 2026; fences amended by Bylaw 3183, 2026)","where_the_rules_live":"Zoning Bylaw Part 4 s. 22, plus a fencing subsection in each zone","street_facing_max_m":1.2,"street_facing_datum":"in front of the front face of the principal building — the house itself, not a setback line","side_rear_max_m":2,"measured_from":"the zone's fencing subsection, read with s. 22","retaining_wall_treatment":"a retaining wall is capped at 1.2 m measured from the LOW side; no general combined wall-plus-fence rule is stated, except along the E&N right of way","corner_rule":"no rule","corner_triangle":"","water_setback":"not addressed in the fence rules","permit_required":"None for a residential fence.","prohibited_materials":"barbed wire or any like material; any electrified fence","deer_allowance":"Deer fences, or a fence with deer fence extensions, to 2.5 m on any residentially zoned parcel of six or fewer dwelling units — see-through woven wire mesh with openings of 5 cm × 10 cm or less, and nothing above 1.2 m that could impale or injure a deer attempting to jump it.","pool_enclosure":"not located in the documents read","fence_is_a_structure":"yes","maximum_penalty":"the fence provisions do not state one."},{"municipality":"City of Langford","governing_document":"Langford Zoning Bylaw No. 300, 1999 (consolidated 2024-04-15), as amended by Bylaw No. 2126","where_the_rules_live":"Zoning Bylaw Article 3.21.03","street_facing_max_m":1.2,"street_facing_datum":"abutting a highway within the required front setback","side_rear_max_m":1.8,"measured_from":"average finished ground level at ANY point along the fence to the part directly above — so a long run down a slope cannot average a tall end against a short one","retaining_wall_treatment":"not addressed","corner_rule":"line-of-sight test","corner_triangle":"6 m each way","water_setback":"A fence in a designated Riparian Development Permit Area needs a Development Permit or an express exemption.","permit_required":"A Development Permit is required for a fence in a required setback inside a designated Interface Fire Hazard or Riparian Development Permit Area.","prohibited_materials":"none stated","deer_allowance":"none","pool_enclosure":"not located in the documents read","fence_is_a_structure":"yes","maximum_penalty":"the fence provisions do not state one."},{"municipality":"City of Colwood","governing_document":"Land Use Bylaw No. 151, 1989 (consolidated)","where_the_rules_live":"the Land Use Bylaw, which sets no general residential fence height","street_facing_max_m":"none set","street_facing_datum":"","side_rear_max_m":"none set","measured_from":"not applicable — the bylaw sets no residential fence height","retaining_wall_treatment":"not addressed for fences; the building bylaw treats a retaining wall over 1.2 m as a structure needing a permit","corner_rule":"line-of-sight test","corner_triangle":"at the intersection of any highway 6 m or more wide with any other highway","water_setback":"not addressed in the fence rules","permit_required":"None for an ordinary fence. A pool fence is the exception: it needs a building permit and a $100 fee.","prohibited_materials":"none stated","deer_allowance":"none","pool_enclosure":"Permit required. Close-boarded lumber, chain link, solid masonry or 9 mm plywood; no foot holds or grips on the outside; no opening greater than 5 cm; gates on a self-latching spring hinge mounted inside at the top; not less than 1.5 m high with ground clearance not more than 10 cm.","fence_is_a_structure":"no","maximum_penalty":"Up to $500 plus costs under the Land Use Bylaw — the lowest in the region. Up to $10,000 under the Building Bylaw."},{"municipality":"District of Sooke","governing_document":"Sooke Zoning Bylaw No. 600, 2013 (unofficially consolidated; amendments to Bylaw 910, February 18, 2025)","where_the_rules_live":"Zoning Bylaw s. 3.10","street_facing_max_m":1.2,"street_facing_datum":"front and flanking yard, in the R1–R3 zones (grouped as Small-Scale Multi-Unit Residential since February 2025)","side_rear_max_m":2,"measured_from":"the average natural grade within 1 m of BOTH sides of the fence — where neighbours sit at different levels, Sooke splits the difference","retaining_wall_treatment":"not stated as a combined rule, but a retaining wall is a structure and fence additions count toward total height","corner_rule":"no fence permitted","corner_triangle":"6 m each way from the intersection of the highway right-of-way boundaries","water_setback":"Fences and retaining walls may sit in a required setback, but seawalls are expressly excluded from that allowance.","permit_required":"None for a residential fence.","prohibited_materials":"none stated","deer_allowance":"No deer clause, but the rural zones (RU1–RU5, including Rural Residential and Neighbourhood Rural Residential) are allowed 2.5 m, which gets to the same place.","pool_enclosure":"not located in the documents read","fence_is_a_structure":"yes","maximum_penalty":"the fence provisions do not state one."},{"municipality":"Town of Sidney","governing_document":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2275","where_the_rules_live":"Zoning Bylaw s. 6.1, inside the Landscape Design section","street_facing_max_m":1.2,"street_facing_datum":"front or exterior side yard","side_rear_max_m":1.8,"measured_from":"above grade; where fill has been placed, from the original grade directly below where the fence meets the ground","retaining_wall_treatment":"the combined height of the retaining wall AND the fence must not exceed the fence maximum for that location — the harshest version in the region, with no guard exception","corner_rule":"fences exempt","corner_triangle":"7 m, or 6 m where a lane is involved","water_setback":"No fence or gate over 1.2 m in a natural boundary setback.","permit_required":"None for a residential fence.","prohibited_materials":"none stated","deer_allowance":"none","pool_enclosure":"A range, not a cap: not less than 1.2 m and not more than 1.8 m at any point, ground clearance not more than 10 mm, and an exterior surface free of projections, rails or bracing that would help climbing — which a standard board fence with outside rails fails.","fence_is_a_structure":"no","maximum_penalty":"A ticket or bylaw notice fine, or on summary conviction not less than $500 and not more than $50,000."},{"municipality":"District of Central Saanich","governing_document":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2270, 2026","where_the_rules_live":"Zoning Bylaw s. 4.3.2, with s. 4.3.3 for retaining walls","street_facing_max_m":1.3,"street_facing_datum":"everywhere by default — 1.3 m is the rule and the taller heights are the exceptions","side_rear_max_m":1.9,"measured_from":"the bylaw's height definition, applied between the front yard setback line and the rear lot line","retaining_wall_treatment":"combined height of wall plus fence must not exceed the fence maximum — and unlike Saanich there is no guard exception, so a 1.2 m wall in a residential rear yard leaves 0.7 m of fence","corner_rule":"0.7 m","corner_triangle":"the sight triangle","water_setback":"Fences are EXPRESSLY EXEMPT from the 10 m marine setback — the opposite of every neighbour. A Development Permit still applies inside a Development Permit Area.","permit_required":"None for a residential fence; a Development Permit applies to structures and works inside a Development Permit Area.","prohibited_materials":"barbed wire, in all zones","deer_allowance":"The height rules are disapplied entirely to open mesh, netting or wire erected for crop and garden protection on agricultural, rural OR residential land.","pool_enclosure":"A pool may not sit in the required front or side yard and must be at least 3 m from the side and rear property lines. The enclosure specification is in the building bylaw, which has not been read.","fence_is_a_structure":"yes","maximum_penalty":"the fence provisions do not state one."},{"municipality":"District of North Saanich","governing_document":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1255, with Building and Plumbing Bylaw No. 1150 (consolidated March 18, 2019)","where_the_rules_live":"the Zoning Bylaw, zone by zone — only four of twenty-nine say anything","street_facing_max_m":1.2,"street_facing_datum":"front yard, in R-1, R-2, R-3 and CD-1 only","side_rear_max_m":1.9,"measured_from":"the zone's own Maximum Fence Height line (CD-1 is 1.8 m rather than 1.9 m)","retaining_wall_treatment":"\"fence\" expressly excludes a retaining wall","corner_rule":"0.5 m","corner_triangle":"6.0 m each way from the exterior corner intersection of two highways","water_setback":"No building or structure other than staircases, walkways and retaining walls within 15 m of the natural boundary of the marine shoreline, except in the Marine zones.","permit_required":"A fence 2 m or taller IS a structure under both bylaws, and therefore needs a building permit.","prohibited_materials":"none stated","deer_allowance":"none","pool_enclosure":"Applies to pools deeper than 1 m with a surface area over 15 m²: fence not less than 1.22 m, openings not over 100 mm, nothing between 100 mm and 900 mm that helps climbing, and a spring lock not less than 1070 mm above grade openable only from the pool side.","fence_is_a_structure":"only at 2 m or more","maximum_penalty":"Up to $10,000 or six months' imprisonment under the Building Bylaw; each day a separate offence."},{"municipality":"Town of View Royal","governing_document":"Zoning Bylaw No. 900 (with amendments including 944, 1000 and 1034)","where_the_rules_live":"Zoning Bylaw s. 4.8, with s. 3.6 for corners and s. 3.8.2 for water","street_facing_max_m":1.2,"street_facing_datum":"front yard or flanking yard","side_rear_max_m":2,"measured_from":"finished grade — and where the fence sits on a retaining wall, finished grade is the elevation at the BASE of the wall","retaining_wall_treatment":"measured from the base of the wall, so the wall counts; a Code-required guard may go above only in clear glass or largely open form; and two fences or walls less than 1 m apart are measured as one, from the base of the lower to the top of the higher","corner_rule":"1.2 m","corner_triangle":"6 m each way from the street corner","water_setback":"No fence, retaining wall or other structure within 15 m of the natural boundary of the sea, or 30 m of any lake, pond, marsh or stream. \"Fence\" is named expressly.","permit_required":"None for a residential fence.","prohibited_materials":"barbed wire in any zone, except agricultural livestock enclosures, correctional facilities and cannabis production","deer_allowance":"none","pool_enclosure":"not located in the documents read","fence_is_a_structure":"yes","maximum_penalty":"the fence provisions do not state one."},{"municipality":"District of Metchosin","governing_document":"Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2021)","where_the_rules_live":"the Land Use Bylaw, which contains no fence height rule","street_facing_max_m":"none set","street_facing_datum":"","side_rear_max_m":"none set","measured_from":"not applicable — the bylaw sets no residential fence height","retaining_wall_treatment":"not addressed; the bylaw does not use the phrase \"retaining wall\" at all","corner_rule":"0.9 m","corner_triangle":"any sight triangle","water_setback":"Not in the Land Use Bylaw, but the BC Riparian Areas Regulation applies to lots with a stream or wetland.","permit_required":"None. Fences are expressly excluded from \"structure\" and do not appear on the District's building-permit list. A swimming pool does need a permit.","prohibited_materials":"none stated","deer_allowance":"none","pool_enclosure":"A pool needs a building permit; enclosure obligations arrive through that permit and the BC Building Code rather than through a fence rule.","fence_is_a_structure":"no","maximum_penalty":"$100 to $5,000 per offence; each day a separate offence."},{"municipality":"District of Highlands","governing_document":"Zoning Bylaw No. 100, 1998 (consolidated June 15, 2026)","where_the_rules_live":"Zoning Bylaw s. 3.2(2), with s. 3.3 overriding it","street_facing_max_m":2.5,"street_facing_datum":"within 10 m of ANY lot line — Highlands does not use front, side or rear at all","side_rear_max_m":5,"measured_from":"the natural ground level of the land BEFORE the fence was built or the land was altered — so berming up and building on top buys nothing","retaining_wall_treatment":"not addressed","corner_rule":"no rule","corner_triangle":"","water_setback":"Prohibited within 30 m of the sea, of nine named lakes, of any other lake, pond or wetland, and of five named creeks or any other watercourse. The clause overrides everything else in the bylaw.","permit_required":"None for a residential fence.","prohibited_materials":"none stated","deer_allowance":"none","pool_enclosure":"A true minimum: the enclosure must be no less than 1.5 m above grade, with a self-closing gate whose self-latching device locks at least 1.0 m above grade, and the base of the fence not more than 100 mm above the ground.","fence_is_a_structure":"yes","maximum_penalty":"Up to $50,000 plus costs of prosecution and six months' imprisonment; each day a separate offence."}]}