Toronto fence by-law: when you need one and what to submit
The short answer
No permit for an ordinary fence that follows Municipal Code Chapter 447.
Last verified 2026-10-07 · Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 447, Fences (PDF), City of Toronto: Fences and swimming pool enclosures- City fee
- No permit fee for an ordinary project
- Where to apply
- City of Toronto: Express building permit application
- Review time
- Express service aims to review a complete deck, porch or house alteration application in 3 business days.
Front yard: 1.2 m within 2.4 m of the street and 2.0 m further back. Side and rear yards: 2.0 m, or 2.5 m next to a street, walkway, apartment or non-residential land. Any fence within 2.4 m of a driveway must be see-through, like chain-link.
What an application usually includes
Toronto’s checklist has the exact list; apply through City of Toronto: Express building permit application.
- 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
Local quirks
- Starting work before the permit is issued adds 50% of the permit fee.
- A pool enclosure has to keep every door of the house outside the fenced pool area.
- Any fence within 2.4 m of a driveway must be see-through, so drivers can see the sidewalk.
Design your Toronto fence to the Building Code.
The design, drawings and code checks work in Toronto today. Toronto’s own forms aren’t built in yet, so you’ll fill those in on the City’s portal.