How tall can a fence be in Ontario?
The short answer
An ordinary fence usually needs no building permit, but every city has a fence by-law: low in the front yard (around 0.9 m), taller in the back (often 2 to 2.44 m), and lower again near corners and driveways so drivers can see. Pool enclosures are a separate permit.
Last verified 2026-10-06What the Building Code checks
- Heights are set per yard, and corner lots get stricter limits on the street side.
- Sight triangles at corners and driveways keep fences low or out entirely.
- A fence that can't meet the by-law needs a variance before you build.
- Pool fences follow the pool enclosure by-law, not the fence by-law.
Fences by city
The local rule and fee, linked to each City’s own source.
| City | Rule | Fee | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchener | No permit for a fence that follows Chapter 630. | No permit fee | 2026-10-06 |
| Waterloo | Most fences need no permit if they follow Fence By-law 2013-017. | No permit fee | 2026-10-06 |
| Toronto | No permit for an ordinary fence that follows Municipal Code Chapter 447. | No permit fee | 2026-10-07 |
| Ottawa | No permit for an ordinary fence that follows Fence By-law 2003-462. | No permit fee | 2026-10-07 |
| Mississauga | No permit in most cases, if the fence follows Fence By-law 0397-1978. | No permit fee | 2026-10-07 |
| Brampton | No permit for an ordinary fence that follows the zoning by-laws. | No permit fee | 2026-10-07 |
| Hamilton | No permit unless the fence encloses a pool. | No permit fee | 2026-10-07 |
| London | No permit for an ordinary fence that follows Fence By-law PS-6. | No permit fee | 2026-10-07 |
| Oakville | No permit for an ordinary fence that follows Fence By-law 2002-034. | No permit fee | 2026-10-06 |
| Cambridge | No permit for an ordinary fence that follows Fence By-law 92-05. | No permit fee | 2026-10-07 |
| Guelph | No permit unless there's a pool or hot tub on the property. | No permit fee | 2026-10-07 |
What you’ll submit
- Usually nothing: an ordinary fence that follows the by-law needs no permit
- For a variance: a site plan, the fence height and design, and notice to neighbours
- For a masonry fence or a pool enclosure: the City’s own permit
Common questions
From the guide: Fence height rules in Kitchener and Waterloo
How high can a backyard fence be in Kitchener?
2.44 m (8 ft) in a rear or interior side yard.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Waterloo?
Not if it follows the Fence By-law. A pool enclosure always needs a pool enclosure permit.
How tall does a pool fence need to be in Ontario's Waterloo Region cities?
At least 1.52 m (5 ft) in both Kitchener and Waterloo.
Start with what you have.
A sentence, a photo or an old survey is enough. Try the real thing free, no account.