How tall can my fence be? Do I need a fence around my pool?
In the Township of West Lincoln, Ontario, max height rear side: 2 m [6'-6 3/4"] residential; 3 m [9'-10"] non-residential; max height front: 0.8 m [2'-7 1/2"] closed construction or hedge; 1.2 m [3'-11 1/4"] open construction within 3.0 m of street line; sight triangle: fence of open construction only, must not obstruct visibility, height not exceeding 0.8 m [2'-7 1/2"] above ground level; prohibited materials: electric fence, barbed wire, metal spikes, sharp/pointed materials, vehicle tires, sheet metal or corrugated metal (residential). Source: Fence By-law 2017-129; Swimming Pool By-law 2017-48 (consolidated with 2021-93, 2022-34), verified 2026-08-29.
Fence By-law 2017-129
adopted bylaw
max height rear side
2 m [6'-6 3/4"] residential; 3 m [9'-10"] non-residential
Table 2.1.1
max height front
0.8 m [2'-7 1/2"] closed construction or hedge; 1.2 m [3'-11 1/4"] open construction within 3.0 m of street line
s. 2.2.1
sight triangle
fence of open construction only, must not obstruct visibility, height not exceeding 0.8 m [2'-7 1/2"] above ground level
s. 2.3.1
prohibited materials
electric fence, barbed wire, metal spikes, sharp/pointed materials, vehicle tires, sheet metal or corrugated metal (residential)
ss. 4.2.1, 4.3.1, 4.4.1, 4.1.3
scout note
Maximum fence height is 2 m for residential use and 3 m for non-residential use (Table 2.1.1); hedges may reach 3 m, and fences containing livestock as part of an agricultural operation are exempt from the height limit. Within 3.0 m of the nearest street line in a front yard the limits are much lower: 0.8 m for a closed-construction
Swimming Pool By-law 2017-48 (consolidated with 2021-93, 2022-34)
adopted bylaw
permit required
True
s. 2.1.1
pool enclosure
Minimum 1500mm [4'-11"] height at exterior face; self-closing, self-latching gate hardware mounted on pool side.
s. 4.1.2; s. 4.3.3(3)(4)
prohibited materials
Basket weave or lattice material prohibited within required pool enclosure fence.
s. 4.2.5
scout note
Requires a pool enclosure fence of not less than 1500mm (4'11") in height with self-closing, self-latching gate hardware.