How tall can my fence be? Do I need a fence around my pool?
In the Township of Russell, Ontario, max height rear side: 7 feet; max height front: 0.9 metres (2.46 feet); sight triangle: No Fence exceeding 0.75 metres (3 feet) in height may be erected within any Sight Triangle; prohibited materials: Sheet metal or corrugated metal panels; barbed wire; electric fences; page wire (exceptions for agricultural/industrial uses). Source: Fence By-Law (By-law 92-2012, office consolidation to 2019-12-16); Pool By-Law (By-law 35-2012, as amended by 2019-151), verified 2026-08-29.
Fence By-Law (By-law 92-2012, office consolidation to 2019-12-16)
adopted bylaw
max height rear side
7 feet
s. 4.1(a)
max height front
0.9 metres (2.46 feet)
s. 4.1(d)
sight triangle
No Fence exceeding 0.75 metres (3 feet) in height may be erected within any Sight Triangle
s. 4.1(f)
prohibited materials
Sheet metal or corrugated metal panels; barbed wire; electric fences; page wire (exceptions for agricultural/industrial uses)
s. 2.4, s. 6.1, s. 6.2, s. 6.3
scout note
Residential fences may not exceed 2.1 m (7 ft) in any yard other than a front yard (decorative archways and gates may exceed this by 50 cm) and 0.9 m in a front yard; on a through lot a fence within 6 m of the rear lot line is capped at 0.9 m. Non-residential fences may not exceed 2.4 m
Pool By-Law (By-law 35-2012, as amended by 2019-151)
adopted bylaw
permit required
True
s. 8: "No person shall excavate for, install, construct or place a pool or spa in the Township of Russell without first obtaining a permit"
pool enclosure
Minimum 4 ft (1.2 m) high enclosure required around all pools; self-closing, self-latching gate at top inside; no gaps greater than 4 inches.
s. 13(a); s. 14(a)(b)
prohibited materials
Barbed wire, electrically energized fencing, sharp projections not permitted as enclosure.
s. 13(h)(iii): "Barbed wire or fencing energized by electrical current, sharp projections or any other dangerous characteristics shall not be used"
scout note
Requires a permit before installing a swimming pool, spa or other artificial pond, and prohibits placing or leaving water in one unless it is completely enclosed. Any pool less than 4 ft (1.2 m) high must sit inside a 4 ft (1.2 m) enclosure measured from ground level, and inflatable or climbable-walled pools always need one. No gap greater than