How close to a city sidewalk can I build a fence in Metro Vancouver?

In most Metro Vancouver municipalities, you can build a fence right up to your property line, but your property line is almost never at the edge of the sidewalk — there is typically a boulevard strip between the sidewalk and your property that belongs to the city. Understanding this distinction is critical because building a fence on city property can result in a removal order.

The strip of land between the sidewalk (or curb, where there is no sidewalk) and your actual property line is called the boulevard or road allowance. In the City of Vancouver, this boulevard strip is typically 1.5 to 3 metres wide and is owned by the city as part of the road right-of-way. You maintain the grass on it, you might plant flowers in it, but you do not own it — and you generally cannot build a permanent fence on it. The city retains this strip for utilities, future sidewalk widening, street trees, fire hydrant access, and sight lines.

In the City of Vancouver specifically, front yard fences must comply with the Zoning and Development By-law. The maximum fence height in front yards is 1.2 metres (4 feet), and the fence must be set back behind the property line — not on the boulevard. Corner lots have additional restrictions: fences within the sight triangle (typically 6 metres from the intersection of the property lines at a corner) must not exceed 0.9 metres (3 feet) to maintain visibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. These sight-line rules are strictly enforced because they directly affect public safety.

How to find your actual property line relative to the sidewalk: The most reliable method is a property survey by a licensed BC Land Surveyor. Survey costs in Metro Vancouver range from $500 to $2,000 depending on lot size and complexity. The surveyor will locate or replace iron survey pins at your property corners, and you can measure from those pins to determine exactly where your property begins relative to the sidewalk. Alternatively, your lot's legal plan (available through the BC Land Title Office at ltsa.ca for approximately $15 to $20) shows the lot dimensions, and you can measure from known reference points — but a professional survey is far more accurate and provides legal certainty.

Municipal variations across Metro Vancouver are important to note. Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Coquitlam, and other municipalities each have their own zoning bylaws governing fence placement, height, and setback from streets and sidewalks. While the general principle is consistent — fences must be on private property, not on the boulevard — the specific rules about height, materials, and sight-line triangles vary. Always check with your municipality's planning or building department before starting a front-yard fence project.

Practical tips for fences near sidewalks: Set your fence 15 to 30cm (6 to 12 inches) inside your property line as a safety margin. Survey pins can have a tolerance of a few centimetres, and building right on the line risks encroachment. If you have a narrow front yard on a typical 33-foot Vancouver lot, a 4-foot ornamental aluminum or low cedar picket fence set just inside your property line creates an attractive streetscape while staying firmly on your land. Avoid solid privacy fences in front yards — most municipalities restrict them, and they create sight-line hazards and a fortress-like appearance that neighbours and the city tend to push back on.

If you need clarification on where your property line falls relative to the sidewalk, your municipality's engineering department can usually provide the road right-of-way width for your street, which tells you how much of the boulevard is city property. Combined with your lot's legal dimensions, this gives you a good approximation — though a professional survey is always the definitive answer.

Vancouver Fence Builders can connect you with fence contractors who are experienced with front-yard fence installations and understand the bylaw requirements in your specific municipality.

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