Fence Height Bylaws in the GTA, by City
Front, side and rear yard fence limits and deck permit triggers for 28 municipalities, from the cities' own bylaws.
Every city in the GTA sets its own fence heights, and many use a different rule for front, side and rear yards. The table below lists the residential limits we found on each municipality's own website or bylaw, along with when a deck needs a building permit.
Use this as a starting point. Bylaws are amended, corner lots and pool enclosures have extra rules, and some towns set heights through zoning. We confirm the rules for your address before building, and each city page links to the source.
| Municipality | Front yard fence | Side and rear yard fence | Deck permit needed when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto (incl. North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York) | 1.2 m (about 3 ft 11 in) within 2.4 m (just under 8 ft) of street, 2 m (6 ft 6 in) beyond | 2 m (6 ft 7 in) side and rear. 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) next to a road, public walkway or non-residential lot | Over 60 cm (2 ft) |
| Mississauga | 1 m (about 3 ft 3 in) solid, 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) open | 2 m (about 6 ft 7 in) | Over 0.61 m (2 ft) |
| Brampton | 1 m | 2 m | Attached, or 0.6 m or more |
| Caledon | 1.5 m (1 m subdivision lots) | 2 m (1.5 m street side) | Over 60 cm at any point |
| Vaughan | 1.2 m near street, 2 m beyond | 2 m | Attached, covered, over 0.6 m, or over 18.6 m² |
| Markham | 1.2 m | 1.8 m | Attached, over 600 mm, or 10 m² or more |
| Richmond Hill | 1.2 m | 1.8 m | Attached, over 600 mm, or over 10 m² |
| Aurora | 1.2 m | 2 m | 2 ft or more |
| Newmarket | 1 m | 1.8 m side, 2 m rear | Attached, over 0.6 m, or over 10 m² |
| Stouffville | Confirm with the Town | Confirm with the Town | Over 600 mm |
| King City | 1.22 m open, 0.92 m solid | 1.83 m side, 2.44 m rear | Attached, or detached over 60 cm |
| East Gwillimbury | 0.9 m (chain link 1.2 m) | 2 m | Most decks except low, uncovered decks |
| Georgina | 2 m (all yards) | 2 m | Attached, part of an exit, or over 10 m² and 2 ft |
| Oakville | 1.5 m (above 1 m open lattice) | 2 m (2.2 m with lattice) | Attached, or over 10 m² and 61 cm |
| Burlington | 1.2 m within 3 m of street | 2 m (2.3 m on slopes) | Attached, over 600 mm, over 10 m², or covered |
| Milton | Confirm with the Town | Confirm with the Town | Attached, or freestanding over 10 m² |
| Halton Hills | 0.9 m | 2.13 m | Attached, or detached over 10 m² and 600 mm |
| Pickering | 1 m solid, 1.5 m open | 2 m | Attached, over 600 mm, or over 10 m² |
| Ajax | 1 m | 2 m | Confirm with the Town |
| Whitby | 1 m | 2 m (2.5 m on arterial roads) | Over 24 in |
| Oshawa | 0.9 m | 2.2 m near lot lines | Over 24 in, or supporting a roof |
| Clarington | 1.2 m | 2.1 m rear | Over 10 m², or attached and over 0.6 m |
| Uxbridge | Confirm with the Township | Confirm with the Township | Attached, roofed, or over 24 in |
| Scugog | 1.2 m (must let light through) | 2 m | Over 15 m² per Township guide, confirm high decks |
The table stays in metric because that is how the bylaws are written, and it is the figure an inspector measures. In feet: 1 m is about 3 ft 3 in · 1.2 m is just under 4 ft · 1.5 m is just under 5 ft · 1.8 m is just under 6 ft · 2 m is about 6 ft 7 in · 2.5 m is about 8 ft 2 in. Note that a fence sold as a six-footer is 1.83 m, so it does not fit under an 1.8 m limit.
Rules that catch people out
- Lattice counts. Aurora and Clarington include lattice and decorative tops in the height.
- Attached decks. Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, King, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Halton Hills and others require a permit for attached decks even when they sit low. Our deck permit guide lists the rule in every city.
- Size, not just height. Richmond Hill, Markham, Newmarket, Pickering, Clarington, Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Georgina look at deck area as well.
- Driveways and corners. Most cities limit fence height or require open fences near driveways and intersections.
- Pool fences. These are minimums, not maximums, and they run from 1.2 m (about 3 ft 11 in) to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) depending on the city. Every municipality we checked requires a permit. See the pool fence guide.
Keep reading
Deck cost guide
Installed prices per sq ft by material, plus railings and stairs.
Learn moreFence cost guide
Installed prices per linear foot by fence type, plus gates.
Learn moreHorizontal vs vertical fence
Cost, gaps and what keeps long boards straight.
Learn moreDeck permits by city
When a deck needs a permit in 24 GTA municipalities.
Learn moreQuestions
Do fences need a building permit in the GTA?
Can I apply to build a taller fence?
Tell us about your deck or fence
Send a few photos and rough measurements. We'll come back with next steps and a time to see the site.