Fence Height Limits in Ontario Cities: Front Yard and Backyard Rules

Before you order lumber or sign a fencing contract, you need to know how tall the fence is allowed to be. In Ontario there is no single province-wide height that applies to every residential fence. The rules depend largely on where your property is, so it is worth checking with your municipality.

This article explains how those rules generally work, how they connect to the Line Fences Act, and how to find the number for your address. It does not list specific heights, because they differ by city and can change, so you should confirm the limit with your municipality.

Why the answer depends on your city

Fence, pool and tree rules are set locally. Each municipality writes its own fence bylaw, and the maximum height, the way height is measured and the permit requirements may all differ. A fence that is fine in one city may need approval, or may be too tall, in another.

How a bylaw treats different parts of your lot depends on your municipality, so confirm the actual figure and its definitions with it.

Front, side and rear yard: what to ask

Also ask how height is measured on your lot.

How the Line Fences Act fits in

The Line Fences Act is a different layer. It gives owners of adjoining properties in most of Ontario a dispute-resolution procedure for fences on a shared boundary line, and it does not cover fences that are not on the boundary line. If neighbours cannot agree, fence-viewers can address only how the fencing work is apportioned and the description of the fence, including materials.

The Act does not replace your municipality's height bylaw. A municipal council may also pass a by-law exempting all or part of its area from the Line Fences Act and assigning line-fence costs by by-law instead. So whether the Act applies depends on your municipality.

If the dispute is about where the fence should go, the arbitration does not decide where the boundary is, and owners must resolve boundary-location questions themselves. A survey is the usual starting point.

Fences near the road or the water

If your lot backs onto a road allowance or the shoreline, be careful about where you put the fence. Road allowances are generally 66 feet wide and are laid out by Crown surveyors. Waterfront owners often build on road allowances, which can cause problems with title, mortgages and insurance. Confirm where your lot line is before building along a road or shoreline, because a fence on public land is a bigger problem than a fence that is a little too tall.

Getting an exemption and what to do next

If you want a fence taller than the bylaw allows, ask your municipality whether it has an exemption or approval process. The name, fee, notice requirements and timeline differ from city to city. Talking to your neighbours early is a practical step either way.

• Find your municipality's fence bylaw on its website, or call the bylaw or building department.
• Get the maximum heights for your front, side and rear yards in writing.
• Ask whether a permit is needed and how height is measured.
• Confirm your boundary with a survey if you are unsure of the lot line.
• Talk to your neighbour before building on or near the line.
• If you need a taller fence, ask about the exemption process, fees and timelines before you buy materials.
• Speak to a lawyer if a neighbour disputes the fence or the municipality issues an order.

Keep copies of what the municipality tells you. If a complaint comes later, a written answer from the bylaw office is useful evidence that you checked first.

Frequently asked questions