It’s one of the first questions we get when a homeowner is ready to put up a new fence: “Do I need a permit for this?” The short answer, for most standard residential fences in Simcoe County, is no — but there are important exceptions, and the rules vary from one municipality to the next. Getting this wrong can mean a visit from a bylaw officer, a forced removal, or a dispute with your neighbour that drags on for months.
At Fence Right Inc, we’ve been installing and repairing fences across Barrie, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Stayner, and the surrounding Simcoe County area for over 25 years. We navigate these bylaws every day. This guide breaks it all down in plain language so you know exactly where you stand before a single post goes in the ground.
First: There Is No Single Ontario Fence Permit Rule
One of the most common misconceptions is that Ontario has a province-wide fence law. It doesn’t — not for standard property fencing. Fencing rules in Ontario are set at the municipal level, which means your fence height limits, setback requirements, and permit obligations depend entirely on which township or city you live in. What’s perfectly legal in Stayner may not comply in Collingwood, and Barrie has its own set of rules entirely.
There are two provincial pieces of legislation worth knowing about — the Line Fences Act and the Ontario Building Code — but for most homeowners, your local municipality’s bylaw is the document that matters. We’ll cover all of this below.
Fence Rules in Barrie, Ontario
Barrie’s fencing standards are governed primarily by Zoning By-law 2009-141. For most residential properties, the key rules are:
- Rear and side yard fences: Maximum height of 1.8 metres (approximately 6 feet)
- Front yard fences: Maximum height of 1.2 metres (approximately 4 feet)
- Corner lots: Additional sight triangle restrictions apply near intersections to maintain driver visibility — fences must be kept lower within a specified triangular zone at street corners
- Pool enclosures: Governed by a separate by-law (By-law 94-59) and a permit is required — see the pool fence section below
Do you need a building permit for a fence in Barrie? Generally, no — standard residential fences that comply with height and setback rules do not require a building permit in Barrie. However, pool enclosure fences require a Pool Enclosure Permit from the City’s building department. When in doubt, contact the City of Barrie’s planning department at 705-739-4204 to confirm before you build.
A Note on Barrie’s New Zoning By-law
Barrie has been working on a comprehensive new Zoning By-law to replace 2009-141. If you’re planning a fence project in Barrie, it’s worth checking with the City to confirm current rules, as these may be updated. We stay on top of these changes for our customers — it’s part of the job.
Fence Rules in Collingwood, Ontario
Collingwood’s fence regulations are set out in Fence By-law 2013-046, and they’re among the more detailed we work with. Here’s what residential property owners need to know:
- Rear yard and side yard fences: Maximum height of 2.13 metres (7 feet)
- Front yard and exterior side yard fences: Maximum height of 1.0 metre (3.3 feet)
- Front yard setback: Fences in the front yard or exterior side yard must be set back a minimum of 1.0 metre (3.3 feet) from the lot line
- Driveway visibility triangle: Fences along the inner boundary of a driveway visibility triangle must not exceed 2.13 metres; along the outer boundary, the limit drops to 1.0 metre to protect sightlines
- Commercial/industrial properties: Side and rear yard fences may go up to 3.0 metres (9.8 feet), with specific setback requirements from the front lot line
- Prohibited materials: Sheet metal, corrugated metal, barbed wire (except on agricultural land with proper setback), and any materials that could be injurious to the public are not permitted
- Pool fences: Must comply with the Town’s separate Pool By-law — a permit is required
Do you need a building permit for a fence in Collingwood? For standard residential fences that meet the bylaw requirements, no building permit is needed. Pool enclosure fences are the main exception. For questions, contact the Town of Collingwood’s building department directly.
Fence Rules in Wasaga Beach, Ontario
The Town of Wasaga Beach has its own bylaw framework for fencing, and like other municipalities, bylaw enforcement is largely complaint-driven. General residential rules follow the same pattern as much of Ontario:
- Rear and side yard fences: Maximum height is typically 1.8 to 2.0 metres for residential properties
- Front yard fences: Lower limits apply, generally in the range of 1.0 to 1.2 metres
- Pool enclosures: Wasaga Beach has a specific Pool Enclosure By-law — a permit is required for any pool fence, and the enclosure must meet strict minimum height and gate requirements
Because Wasaga Beach’s rules can have specific lot-by-lot nuances — especially near the beach, near easements, or in areas with special zoning — we always recommend confirming current requirements with the Town’s building or bylaw department before starting any fence project there. View our full service area to see all the communities we cover.
Fence Rules in Stayner (Township of Clearview)
Stayner falls within the Township of Clearview. As a rural and semi-rural municipality, Clearview’s fence rules tend to be less prescriptive than urban centres like Barrie. Standard residential fences generally don’t require a permit, but you should confirm current height limits and any pool enclosure requirements with the Township directly, particularly for properties near roads or adjacent to agricultural land. Learn more about how we approach every project on our installation process page.
Pool Fences in Ontario: The One Case Where a Permit Is Always Required
This is the big exception — and it applies everywhere in Simcoe County. If you have or are installing an outdoor swimming pool, a pool enclosure permit is legally required.
This isn’t optional. Ontario municipalities are required under the Building Code Act to regulate pool enclosures, and virtually every municipality in the province — including Barrie, Collingwood, and Wasaga Beach — enforces this independently through their own pool enclosure bylaws.
Here’s what pool fence regulations generally require across our service area:
- Minimum height of 1.2 metres (4 feet) for the enclosure fence — though Barrie’s By-law 94-59 specifies additional requirements beyond this minimum
- Self-closing, self-latching gates that open away from the pool and latch on the pool side
- No gaps, openings, or footholds that could allow a child to climb or squeeze through
- Complete enclosure of the pool area — no opening except through a compliant gate
- A permit application must be approved before work begins — and inspections are typically required after installation
Why does this matter so much? Pool enclosure requirements exist because drowning is a leading cause of accidental death in children under five in Canada. The rules are strict, the inspections are real, and non-compliant pool fences can result in orders to remove and replace the enclosure at the homeowner’s cost. We’ve seen it happen.
If you’re planning a pool and need a compliant enclosure fence, contact us early — permit processing can take weeks, and you won’t be allowed to use the pool until the enclosure is approved and inspected. We install pool-compliant ornamental iron and chain link enclosures that meet all municipal requirements.
The Line Fences Act: What Happens When a Fence Is on the Property Line?
If you’re planning a fence along a shared boundary — the line between your property and your neighbour’s — Ontario’s Line Fences Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. L.17) applies. This provincial law governs disputes over boundary fences and provides a formal process for resolving disagreements.
Here’s the practical summary:
- You are not legally required to share the cost of a fence you want to build on the property line — unless your neighbour agrees to it
- Your neighbour is not required to contribute unless you follow the formal Line Fences Act process, which involves a written notice and potentially a fence-viewer arbitration
- Municipalities appoint fence-viewers — neutral parties who can be called in to settle disputes about fence placement, style, or cost-sharing
- Start with a conversation. Most boundary fence disputes can be resolved informally before they escalate. A clear discussion about height, materials, and who faces the “good side” goes a long way
The Line Fences Act doesn’t set height or material rules — that’s still your municipal bylaw. It exists specifically to manage the relationship between neighbouring property owners when a shared fence is involved. If you’re deciding on a fence style that works for both sides, our wood fence and ornamental iron pages are a good place to start exploring options.
Do I Need to Call Before I Dig?
Yes — and it’s the law. Before digging any fence post holes, you are required to contact Ontario One Call at least five business days in advance. This is a legal requirement under Ontario’s Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act.
Ontario One Call coordinates with utility companies to locate and mark any underground cables, gas lines, water pipes, or telecommunications infrastructure on or near your property. Hitting one of these lines while digging a post hole can cause serious injury, service outages for your entire street, and significant costs that fall on you as the property owner.
The service is free. Call 1-800-400-2255 or visit ontarioonecall.ca to submit a locate request. When we install fences, we always call before we dig — and we recommend any homeowner planning a DIY project do the same.
When You Definitely Need a Permit: Quick Reference
To summarize the situations in Simcoe County where a permit is required or strongly recommended:
- Pool enclosure fences — always required, in every municipality
- Fences exceeding standard height limits — if you want to go taller than your bylaw allows, you’ll need to apply for a variance or exemption (rarely granted for residential properties)
- Commercial or industrial properties — typically require permits for fencing above standard limits
- Fences near road allowances or provincial highways — Ministry of Transportation (MTO) approval may be required if your property is adjacent to a provincial highway
- Agricultural electric fences — generally exempt from municipal bylaws but must comply with provincial regulations and be clearly marked. See our farm fencing page for more on agricultural fence options
Practical Tips Before You Start Your Fence Project
- Locate your property survey. Your fence must be built on your own property — not your neighbour’s and not on a municipal road allowance. If you don’t have a current survey, a Ontario Land Surveyor can establish your boundaries before any work begins. This protects you from costly disputes or forced relocation of a fence after it’s installed.
- Talk to your neighbour first. If your fence is going along a shared boundary, a five-minute conversation before the project starts is worth far more than weeks of dispute after. Agree on height, style, and which way the “good side” faces. You’ll thank yourself later.
- Call Ontario One Call. As covered above — five business days before any digging. Free, fast, and legally required.
- Check your specific lot for easements. Some properties have utility easements, drainage easements, or conservation authority setbacks that restrict where a fence can be placed — even if the fence would otherwise comply with the bylaw. Your land registry documents or a call to the municipality can confirm this.
- Confirm current bylaws directly with your municipality. We’ve provided accurate information in this post, but bylaws do get updated. For any significant fence project, a quick call to your local building or bylaw department to confirm current rules is always time well spent.
Not Sure What the Rules Are for Your Property? Ask Us.
After 25 years of installing fences across Simcoe County, we know this landscape — the bylaws, the soil conditions, the frost depths, and what works. When you call Fence Right for a free estimate, you’re not just getting a price. You’re getting the knowledge that comes from having done this for a long time, right here in your community.
Whether you’re planning a new residential privacy fence, replacing a storm-damaged section with our fence repair service, or building a compliant pool enclosure, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before the first post goes in the ground.
Call us at (705) 428-5158, email info@fenceright.ca, or use our online contact form to book a free on-site estimate. We serve Barrie, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Stayner, and all of Simcoe County.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ontario Fence Bylaws
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Ontario?
For most standard residential fences, no — Ontario does not require a building permit for fences that comply with local municipal height and setback bylaws. The main exception is pool enclosure fences, which require a permit in every municipality. Always confirm with your local building department before starting.
How high can a fence be in my backyard in Ontario?
It depends on your municipality. In Collingwood, rear and side yard fences can be up to 2.13 metres (7 feet). In Barrie, the standard residential limit is 1.8 metres (6 feet). Most municipalities allow front yard fences of 1.0 to 1.2 metres. Always check your specific local bylaw — crossing a municipal boundary can mean a different set of rules entirely.
Do pool fences require a permit in Barrie or Collingwood?
Yes. Both Barrie (By-law 94-59) and Collingwood require a pool enclosure permit before any swimming pool fence can be installed. The permit process involves submitting a site plan and, after installation, passing an inspection by a bylaw or building official. Do not install a pool or pool fence without confirming permit requirements with your municipality first.
Who is responsible for a fence between two properties in Ontario?
Ontario’s Line Fences Act governs boundary fences between neighbours. Cost-sharing is not automatic — both parties must agree, or the formal fence-viewer process under the Act must be followed. If you want to build a fence on or near your property line, the simplest first step is always to talk to your neighbour before starting any work.
Can I install barbed wire or electric fence on my property?
In urban and suburban areas, barbed wire fencing is generally prohibited by municipal bylaw (Collingwood By-law 2013-046 explicitly bans it except on agricultural land). Electric fencing is generally only permitted on agricultural properties and must comply with provincial livestock and fencing regulations. In rural Simcoe County, electric fences for livestock containment are common, but must be clearly marked and properly installed.
What happens if I build a fence that violates a bylaw?
Bylaw enforcement in Ontario is typically complaint-driven — meaning a bylaw officer will only investigate if a neighbour or member of the public files a complaint. However, if a violation is confirmed, you may be ordered to remove or alter the fence at your own cost. In serious cases, fines may apply. It’s always better to get it right from the start.
Do I need to call before I dig for a fence?
Yes — it’s a legal requirement in Ontario. Contact Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 at least five business days before digging any post holes. The service is free and locates underground utilities to prevent damage, injury, and service disruptions.