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Home > Services > Residential Services > Property By-laws > Fences
Fences
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About the by-law

Fences.jpg
The City of Vaughan’s Fence By-law outlines the height, construction, placement, material and other requirements in the City of Vaughan, including swimming pool enclosures.  The Property Standards By-law also addresses maintenance. 

Rules

This page provides an overview fo the Fence By-law; to review this and other by-laws in their entirety and their amendments, visit the By-law Library. 

Fence Heights
Fence heights are regulated depending on location. An excerpt with respect to maximum fence heights from the by-law is listed here:  
 
  No
 
   Fence Description
 
    Maximum Fence Height
  Fence on a Single Family Residential or Multi- Residential
   Property 
  Fence on Non- Residential Property
 
 Hedge, shrub or other vegetation that acts as a Fence
 
    1
 
 Fence that is:
  •   in a Front Yard; and
  •   within 2.4 metres  of a Lot Line abutting a Public Highway 
  1.2 metres 
 
 1.2 metres 
 
 1.2 metres 
 
 
2
 
  Fence that is:
  •   in a Front Yard; and
  •   not within 2.4 metres of a Lot Line abutting a Public Highway
 2.0 metres 
 
 2.0 metres 
 
  No maximum
 
  3
 
  Fence that is:
  •  not in a Front Yard;
  •  within 2.4 metres of a Side Lot Line abutting a Public Highway; and
  •  not within 2.4 metres of a driveway 
 2.5 metres 
 
 2.5 metres  
 2.5 metres  
  4
 
  Fence that is:
  • not in a Front Yard;
  • not within 2.4 metres of a Side Lot Line abutting a Public Highway;
  • within 2.4 metres of the nearest wall of the main building extended to the Rear Lot Line; and
  • within 2.4 metres of a driveway 
  2.0 metres 
 
 2.5 metres  
   No maximum
 
  5
 
 Fence that is:
  • on an unroofed deck; not in a Front Yard; and
  • not within 2.4 metres of a Lot Line abutting a Public Highway* 
 2.0 metres above surface of deck
 
2.0 metres above surface of deck
 
  No maximum
 
 6
 
  Fence that is:
  • not in a Front Yard;
  • not a Fence under Items 3, 4 or 5 of this Table; and
  • abutting a Multi- Residential Property, a Non-Residential Property, a Public Highway or a public walkway
    2.5 metres  
    2.5 metres
  No maximum
 
  7
 
  Fence that is:
  • abutting a rapid transit right of way
 
 2.5 metres 
  No maximum
 
  No maximum
 
  8
 
  Fence that is:
  • abutting a tennis court, baseball diamond or other recreational facility 
   3.0 metres  
   No maximum
 
   No maximum
 
 9
 
  Any other Fence
 
2.0 metres 
 
 2.5 metres  
 No maximum
 

 

Fence By-law Exemptions

If you would like to install a fence that is greater than the maximum permitted height or not in compliance with the by-law in some other way, you can apply for the exemption to be considered using the following form:

Fence By-law Exemption Application (PDF)

​Fee ​2023 ​2024
​Fence By-law Exemption Application ​$432 ​$444.96
 
 

Corner lots

  • Fences on corner lots may not block a a sight triangle, in order to not create a sightline obsruction and potential safety hazard for vehicles in trafffic.  For safety, fences may need to be setback further from the street, or have the portion of the fence that creates the issue removed.  
 
Sight triangle example 

Divisional fences – cost sharing with neighbours
The Fence Apportionment of Costs By-law 175-93 outlines the steps property owners may take to recover costs of shared divisional fences. Any disagreements are handled in Small Claims Court or the Superior Court of Justice; learn more on this Province of Ontario website. Property owners are encouraged to call the City for clarification. 

Swimming pool enclosures

  • A Swimming Pool Enclosure permit must be obtained prior to putting up a swimming pool or excavating the ground to put in a swimming pool.
  • If the permit is granted, a temporary fence must be erected prior to any ground excavation. 
  • Swimming Pool Enclosures must be a minimum of 1.22 metres in height, and not have projections on the exterior fence to facilitate climbing, such as railings or other structures. 
  • All gates must be self-closing and have a self-latching device that is at least 1.22 metres above the bottom of the door. 
As per the Zoning By-law, a private swimming pool shall:
  • be constructed only in the rear yard; and
  • not be nearer to any lot line than 1.5 metres.
View the Zoning By-law or contact the Building Standards department for more information.
 

 Contact Information

 

By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services

Phone: 905-832-2281

Fax: 905-832-8549

Email: bylaw.licensing@vaughan.ca

Location:
Vaughan City Hall, Level 100
2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.
Vaughan, ON  L6A 1T1
Page Content 2
 

 Related Links

 
City Web Pages
  • Building Standards
  • By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services
  • Complaints
By-laws
  • By-law Library
    See for by-laws and their amendments.
  • Fence By-law 189-2020 - height, material, swimming pool enclosures and standards
    See the By-law Library for amending by-laws.
  • Fence By-law 175-93 - apportionment of costs
Other web pages
  • Province of Ontario - information about suing someone
City Forms
  • Fence By-law Exemption Application

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