Building and Renovating

• adding an accessory building, equipment room, shed or detached garage
• additions or alterations to attached garages
• additions or alterations to existing buildings
• building or altering a deck
• building a gazebo
• building a new secondary suite
• building a ramp
• building, installing or altering a permanent sign
• changing a buildings use
• construction of a new building
• creating new rooms or spaces within an existing building, including non-structural work
• demolishing a building or part of a building
• finishing a basement, including non-structural work
• installing, extending, altering or repairing plumbing systems
• legalizing an existing secondary suite
• moving or relocating any building including mobile or modular structures
• restoration, maintenance or repair of a building's structural components and systems
• reconstruction of any building that has been damaged by fire, flood or any other natural disaster
• upgrading an existing building

• fencing
• flooring
• flower beds and boxes
• painting
• replacing doors and windows, if the size of them is not changing
• re-shingling or replacing roof cladding
• sheds under 10m2 (108 ft2) 
• siding
• trim
   

If your property is on a corner, nothing should block your line of sight at the intersection.

• This means any fence, tree, or hedge within 8m (26ft 3in) of the pavement edge cannot be taller than 1m (3ft 3in) above the pavement of the road.
• Trim branches of trees or shrubs back from the ground level up to a height of 3m (10ft) so they do not hang in this area.

The definitions below are worded in simple terms that are different from our Zoning Bylaw, making every effort to match them as closely as possible. Therefore, our Zoning Bylaw will come before these definitions if there is a discrepancy.  

• "Front Parcel Line" is the edge of a property next to a public road. Unless it is a corner property, the front parcel line is the shortest property line (when compared to the other sides) next to the public road.
• "Yard, Side" is the part of the site from the front yard to the rear yard between the side parcel line and the closest side of the main building. 
• "Side Parcel Line" is a property line other than the front or rear property lines.
• "Front Building Line" is a line drawn across the property from the furthest point of a main building to the front property line.
• "Yard, Rear" is the part of the site between the rear property line and the rear of the main building, across the full width of the site.
• "Rear Parcel Line" is the boundary of a property opposite of the Front Parcel Line. It does not intersect the front parcel line. 

Measure the height of your fence from the ground right next to your fence to the highest point of your fence. If you are building on top of a retaining wall, measure from the bottom of the wall to the highest point of your fence.

• Determine the maximum height of your fence based on the zoning of your property. Heights also vary depending on the location the fence in your yard - front, rear, or side.
• For a residential, non-corner lot, a fence must not be taller than:
  • "Front Yard" is the front wall of your house to your front property line. The maximum height is 1.2m (4ft)
  • "Side Yard" is the wide wall of your house to your side property line. The maximum height is 1.8m (6ft)
  • "Rear Yard" is the rear wall of your house to your rear property line. The maximum height is 1.8m (6ft)

Your fence must be located on your property. It cannot be on City property, or any city right-of-way or easement areas.

• Sometimes neighbours decide to share a fence. We have no jurisdiction in disputes over shared fences. These matters fall within provincial jurisdiction and can be resolved through civil litigation. 
• You must measure carefully when building a fence. Determine the exact location of your property lines. Front property lines typically vary between 1m (3ft 3in) to 4.5m (15ft) from the pavement edge.

To locate your property line or pins, hire a registered BC Land Surveyor (BCLS) to come to your property and find your property corners. We cannot locate your property lines, but we can provide a rough dimension for you with air photos, legal plans and record drawings. These may be up to 5 metres out of alignment. It is your responsibility to find the accurate location of your property lines.

• If your house was built recently, your property line may be listed on the original building permit application.