What's the process for getting a fence building permit in the City of Vancouver?

Most standard residential fences in the City of Vancouver do not require a building permit, provided they comply with the height limits in the Zoning and Development By-law — 1.2 metres (4 feet) in front yards and 1.8 metres (6 feet) in rear and side yards. However, there are several situations where a permit is required, and understanding the process through the City of Vancouver's Development, Buildings & Licensing department will save you time and potential enforcement headaches.

You DO need a building permit for a fence in Vancouver when: the fence exceeds the maximum height allowed by zoning (over 1.2m in front yards or over 1.8m in rear/side yards); the fence is combined with a retaining wall and the total structure height exceeds the applicable maximum; the fence includes an electrically operated gate with hardwired motor (requires both a building permit and an electrical permit — the electrical work must be inspected by Technical Safety BC); the fence is a required pool enclosure (must meet BC Building Code requirements for height, gate hardware, and climb-resistance); or the project is on public or strata common property.

The permit application process through the City of Vancouver's Development, Buildings & Licensing department works as follows:

Step 1 — Pre-application enquiry. Before submitting a formal application, you can contact the City's Development and Building Services Centre at 515 West 10th Avenue to discuss your project. Staff can confirm whether a permit is required for your specific situation, identify any zoning issues, and explain what drawings and documentation you'll need. You can also call 3-1-1 for general bylaw questions. This step is free and highly recommended — it can save you from submitting an incomplete application.

Step 2 — Prepare your application. If a permit is required, you'll need to submit a site plan (survey certificate or plot plan showing your property boundaries, existing structures, and the proposed fence location with dimensions and setbacks), fence drawings showing height, materials, and construction details, and the completed building permit application form. For electrically operated gates, you'll also need electrical plans. The City of Vancouver accepts applications through its online services portal or in person at the Development and Building Services Centre.

Step 3 — Submit and pay fees. Building permit fees in the City of Vancouver are based on the estimated construction value of the project. For a fence, the minimum permit fee is approximately $152 (as of 2025-2026, subject to change). More complex projects with higher construction values will have proportionally higher fees. The City's fee schedule is published on vancouver.ca under "Building permit fees."

Step 4 — Review and approval. The City reviews your application for compliance with the Zoning and Development By-law, the Vancouver Building By-law (which incorporates the BC Building Code), and any applicable development permit conditions or heritage guidelines. Simple fence permits are typically processed within 2 to 4 weeks. More complex applications — especially those requiring a development permit variance for height or location — can take 8 to 16 weeks or longer.

Step 5 — Inspection. Once your permit is approved and the fence is built, you'll need to request an inspection. The City inspector verifies that the fence was built according to the approved plans and meets code requirements. For pool fences, inspection is particularly thorough — gate hardware, height, climb-resistance, and gap spacing are all checked.

Development permits are a separate process from building permits and may be required in certain zones or situations. If your fence project is part of a larger development, or if you need a variance from standard zoning regulations (for example, you want a 7-foot fence in a zone that allows 6 feet), a development permit application is required. Development permits involve a more extensive review and may include notification of neighbours. This process takes significantly longer — typically 3 to 6 months — and costs more.

Even when no permit is required, your fence must still comply with the Zoning and Development By-law. If a bylaw enforcement officer or a neighbour complaint reveals that your fence exceeds height limits or violates setback requirements, the City can issue a notice requiring you to bring the fence into compliance — which may mean cutting it down or removing it entirely.

Before any fence installation — permitted or not — call BC One Call (1-800-474-6886) for a free utility locate. This is legally required before digging in BC and identifies buried gas lines, electrical cables, water mains, and telecommunications infrastructure on your property. Allow 5 to 7 business days for the locate to be completed before digging post holes.

The permit process is straightforward for most fence projects. If you need help navigating it, or if you want to connect with contractors who handle the permit process as part of their service, Vancouver Fence Builders can match you with experienced fence professionals across the City of Vancouver and Metro Vancouver.

---

Find a Fencing Contractor

Vancouver Fence Builders connects you with experienced contractors through the https://vancouverconstructionnetwork.com:

• Tonic Siding ✓
• Black Birch Contracting ✓
• Canyon Property Projects ✓