How close to a neighbour's driveway can I build a fence in Coquitlam?

In Coquitlam, fences near a neighbour's driveway are primarily governed by sight-line (sight triangle) requirements, which restrict fence height — and sometimes placement — near driveways and intersections to maintain safe visibility for drivers and pedestrians.

The City of Coquitlam's zoning bylaw establishes a sight triangle at the intersection of a driveway and a public street (or lane). Within this triangle, fences and other structures must be kept below a certain height — typically 0.9 metres (about 3 feet) — so that drivers exiting the driveway can see oncoming traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians clearly. The exact dimensions of the sight triangle (how far back from the curb and along the property line it extends) can vary depending on the street classification and the angle of the driveway, but a common standard is a triangle measured 3 metres along the driveway and 3 metres along the property line from the point where they meet.

It's important to understand that the sight triangle restriction applies to your neighbour's driveway where it meets the street, not to the driveway itself as a property feature. If your fence runs along the shared property line and that line passes near where your neighbour's driveway meets the road, your fence height in that zone must stay within the sight-line limit — even if you're technically on your own property. A full-height 1.8 metre privacy fence planted right at the corner of a driveway and street could be a bylaw violation and, more importantly, a genuine safety hazard.

Metro Vancouver context matters here. Coquitlam has been actively updating its zoning and development bylaws over the past several years, and the specific sight triangle measurements and height limits in your zone may differ from older published guidelines. The Tri-Cities municipalities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody) each have their own bylaws, and what applies in one doesn't automatically apply in another. Before you dig a single post hole, call the City of Coquitlam's Building and Bylaw Services directly at City Hall or visit their website to confirm the current rules for your specific property and zone.

Practical steps before you build:

First, call BC One Call at 1-800-474-6886 for a free utility locate — this is legally required before any digging in BC. Second, if there's any uncertainty about where your property line actually sits relative to your neighbour's driveway, consider a boundary survey by a licensed BC Land Surveyor. Building even a few inches onto your neighbour's property creates legal liability under the BC Property Law Act, and a survey costing $1,000–$3,000 is far cheaper than a boundary dispute. Third, contact the City of Coquitlam directly to confirm the sight triangle dimensions and height limits for your address — bring your lot plan if you have one.

If your fence will run along the side yard well away from any driveway-street intersection, the standard Coquitlam rear and side yard maximum of 1.83 metres (6 feet) applies for most residential zones. Front yard fences are typically limited to 1.22 metres (4 feet).

Hire a professional for the installation itself. A qualified fence contractor familiar with Coquitlam's requirements will know how to position posts correctly, set them to proper depth in Metro Vancouver's wet soil (minimum 2 feet deep for a 6 ft fence), and ensure the finished fence complies with local sight-line rules. A fence that violates a bylaw or blocks a driveway sight line can be ordered removed at your expense.

Need help finding a fence contractor in Coquitlam? Vancouver Fence Builders can match you with local professionals for free — find them through the Vancouver Construction Network at vancouverconstructionnetwork.com.