You need to know the bylaws and regulations for building a fence in Vernon BC or the surrounding North Okanagan areas!
When it comes to building a fence in Vernon BC (on either a residential or a commercial property) or in the surrounding North Okanagan, it is important to know the rules and regulations set out by your local bylaws. Landscaping and screening bylaws differ from town to town in the North Okanagan areas, as well as in rural vs urban areas, so it’s important to figure out your local fencing regulations BEFORE you build your fence.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the common questions we get from our fence clients and we’ll help you find the specific bylaws for landscaping and screening in your area—without having to search it out—so you can make an informed decision about what type of fence you want to build and any restrictions for building it before you jump in with both feet.
At a glance:
Types of Fences available in the North Okanagan
Corrugated Metal on Wood
Common Questions about Landscaping & Screening (Fencing) Regulations in Vernon BC & the North Okanagan
Whatever city or municipality your property falls under, understanding regulations and bylaws around fencing can help you avoid any potential fines or issues down the line and avoid the extra costs of having to remove or adjust a fence after the fact.
The answers to these common questions we get about building a fence in Vernon, Coldstream, Armstrong, and Lake Country will hopefully help!
How close to the property line can I build my fence?
This is, of course, a very common question we get about fences from our clients in Vernon and the rest of the North Okanagan and the answer is, it varies for each district and municipality. However, generally speaking, if you keep your fence within your own property markers (and on your side of power lines and other utilities that run the length of your property) and make sure your fence is not obstructing the line of sight for any vehicles or pedestrians, you should be good to go.
However, to be on the safe side, definitely call your local Bylaws office and ask! We suggest calling because trying to find information in your city’s bylaws about fencing setbacks in the North Okanagan can be a bit of a grey area. Some of the bylaws clearly state setbacks for fence lines, but others don’t mention them at all. So if you call, they will put you right through to the bylaws officers who should have the answer handy.
City of Vernon Bylaw office: 250-550-3505
District of Coldstream Bylaw office: 250-545-5304
[NOTE: For this District, the setbacks are clearly outlined in the Bylaws under Schedule F: Screening & Landscaping]
City of Armstrong Bylaw office: 250-546-3023
Lake Country Bylaw office: 250-766-6673
[NOTE: For Lake Country fence setbacks, section 8.5.13 of their zoning bylaws states that “fences are not subject to required setbacks and may be built to the front, side, and rear lot lines.”]
How tall can my fence be?
Again, a really common question that we get, and fence height varies a little bit for each area in the North Okanagan AND the area the fence is situated on your property. You can do a quick check below for Vernon, Coldstream, Armstrong and Lake Country! Or, you can always give Blue Rhino Fence a call, too, and we can tell you as we regularly build fences in those regions.
Vernon BC Fence Height (Residential):
Max 2.0m (6.5 ft) except in areas subject to traffic sight lines, which varies according to where the sight line is situated (see link below, section 6.5.1)
Vernon BC Fence Height (Commercial/Agricultural):
Max 2.4m (7–8 ft)See Section 6.5 of the City of Vernon Landscaping & Screening Bylaw
Coldstream BC Fence Height (Residential):
Max 1.2 m (3 ft. 11 inches) in exterior side or front yards, 2.0 m (6-7 ft) for back yards
Coldstream BC Fence Height (Commercial):
Max 2.5m (8.2 ft) with theexception of chain link fences, which can be a max of 3.5m (11.6 ft)See Section 6 of Schedule F in the Coldstream Zoning Bylaws
Armstrong BC Fence Height (Residential):
Max 2.5m (8.2 ft) anywhere on the property that doesn’t require line of sight for vehicle and pedestrian safety, and must be a solid (opaque) fence that is well-maintained.
Armstrong BC Sight Line Triangle (residential and commercial): Between 0.7 and 1.1m (2.3 ft to 3.6 ft)
Armstrong BC Fence Height (Commercial):
Max 2.5m (8.2ft) in the rear of the lot and front height varies. Check out Section 5: Screening and Landscaping of the City of Armstrong Bylaws for the full lowdown.
Lake Country BC Fence Height (Residential):
Max 2.0m (6–7 ft)
Lake Country BC Fence Height (Commercial):
Max 2.4m (7.9 ft)See Section 8.5 of Bylaw 561 of the District of Lake Country for all fencing requirements.
Do I have to build a specific type of fence on property?
Types of fencing also vary from area to area in Vernon BC and throughout the North Okanagan. Again, double check your specific bylaws (in the links above).
Here’s what we know about types of fences allowed in these common North Okanagan areas:
Vernon BC Fencing Types (Residential):
Fences must match the common fencing type in any given neighbourhood so they don’t “disrupt” the aesthetic or bring down the value of the neighbourhood as a whole.
No barbed wire or electric fencing allowed unless in an area zoned for livestock within city limits or an area designated for detention/correctional services.
No razor wire fences allowed anywhere.
Any fence meant to act as a screen must be opaque (not see through) or a combo of opaque/lattice design.
Vernon BC Fencing Types (Commercial):
Industrial zones must have an opaque fence along any property lines touching non-industrial zones (ie. residential zones) and around wrecking yards touching residential areas.
As above with residential zones, no barbed wire or electric fences permitted unless in an area zoned for livestock within city limits or an area designated for detention/correctional services.
As above with residential zones, no razor wire fences allowed anywhere.
Coldstream BC Fencing Types (Residential):
Any type of residential fencing in Coldstream must be well maintained and not used for any commercial advertising purposes. Type of fence doesn’t matter as long as it fits the aesthetic of the surrounding neighbourhood, with the exception of barbed wire fences (which are only permitted in agricultural zones that border residential ones).
Any fences with pickets must have pickets that are at least 4 inches and have flat or round tops.
Coldstream BC Fencing Types (Commercial):
Industrial zones must have an opaque fence along any property lines touching non-industrial zones (ie. residential zones) and around wrecking yards touching residential areas.
As above with residential zones, no barbed wire or electric fences permitted unless in an area zoned for livestock within city limits or an area designated for detention/correctional services.
As above with residential zones, no razor wire fences allowed anywhere.
Armstrong BC Fencing Types (Residential):
Any residential fencing in Armstrong that is opaque must be visually uniform (ie. if it’s a wood fence, it must all be painted the same way) and well-maintained at all times.
Any outside storage areas must be screened by opaque fencing.
Screening/fencing along any line of sight must be transparent or low enough that it does not interfere with the sight line triangle (anywhere vehicles or pedestrians need to be able to see down a property line or around a corner for their safety).
Armstrong BC Fencing Type (Commercial):
Commercial/Industrial zones in Armstrong must have an opaque fence along any property lines touching residential zones and around any equipment or refuse bins/storage areas.
Armstrong BC Fencing Type (Agricultural):
See the above bylaw, Section 8
Lake Country BC Fencing Types Allowed (Residential):
Screening fences need to be consistent with the quality of building design and materials of the main building. (Of course, that is not exactly crystal clear, so calling the Lake Country bylaws office won’t hurt!)
No barbed wire in any rural residential/urban residential areas UNLESS used for livestock enclosures.
No extending fence pickets that extend above the horizontal rail.
Lake Country BC Fencing Types Allowed (Commercial):
Any fences used for screening have to be opaque (not see through) or a combo of opaque with lattice design.
What are the types of fences available in Vernon BC or the surrounding areas?
Another common question we get is about the types of fences we can install and which work best for residential or commercial properties. As we’ve said above, fencing types can vary from area to area in Vernon and the North Okanagan, but here is a list of common fences used by residents and business owners around here:
If you are planning to build a fence on your property in Vernon BC or the surrounding North Okanagan, hopefully all the bylaw information in this blog has helped you. But if you still need more information or have questions or would like a free site visit and estimate, get in touch with us today! We're here to make your fence building project as easy as possible.