Practical guide
Ottawa fence by-laws
What the City of Ottawa allows, what it does not, and the three differences from Gatineau that catch people out when they move across the river.
Verified 3 August 2026 with the City of Gatineau and the Government of Quebec.
Fences we actually installed
Real job sites in Gatineau and Ottawa. No catalogue photos.
The short answer
In Ottawa you do not need a permit for an ordinary fence. That is the most useful thing to know. You still have to comply with Fence By-law No. 2003-462.
Maximum heights on residential property: 1 m in the front yard, 2.13 m in any other yard. On non-residential property, 3 m.
A pool enclosure is a different story. That one needs a permit, including when you are only replacing an existing enclosure.
Maximum heights, and how height is measured
| Where | Maximum height |
|---|---|
| Front yard, residential | 1 m |
| Side or rear yard, residential | 2.13 m (7 ft) |
| Non-residential property | 3 m |
| Visibility triangle, corner lot | 75 cm |
Height is measured from the grade at the base of the fence to the top of the fence. Where the ground is not level on both sides, it is measured from the higher grade. That is the detail that sinks projects on a sloped lot: the fence is legal seen from your yard and too tall seen from the neighbour's.
The visibility triangle on a corner lot
If your lot sits at the intersection of two streets, there is a zone where almost nothing may stand taller than 75 cm. You draw it by measuring 3 m along each lot line from the corner, then joining the two points.
It exists so drivers can see you. A full-height fence inside that triangle will have to come down to size, and it is not a rare problem: roughly half the corner lots we quote in Ottawa have this trap somewhere.
The good side rule
Ottawa writes a good neighbour policy into the by-law itself: the more attractive side of the fence must face the neighbouring property and the street. In plain terms, the posts and rails stay on your side.
Gatineau does not impose the same thing in the same way. If you have already put up a fence on the Quebec side, this is exactly the kind of detail that changes from one bank of the river to the other.
Pools, and the permit almost nobody expects
Pool Enclosure By-law No. 2013-39 applies as soon as a body of water can hold 600 mm (24 in) or more at any point. That covers an inground pool, an above-ground pool, a hot tub and even a reflecting pond.
- A permit is required before you start, and also for a replacement enclosure.
- Minimum enclosure height: 1.5 m (5 ft).
- Every gate must be self-closing and self-latching.
- The lock sits inside the enclosure, at least 1.35 m (4 ft 6 in) above the bottom of the enclosure.
- The gate stays closed and locked at all times except when the pool is in use.
- On a double gate, one leaf is pinned to the ground so it stays shut, and the other is self-closing and self-latching.
The inside lock at 1.35 m is the clause that fails the most installations. Ordinary gate hardware does not meet it.
Ottawa against Gatineau, the three gaps that matter
| Ottawa | Gatineau | |
|---|---|---|
| Permit for an ordinary fence | No | Yes, a certificate of authorisation |
| Rear yard height | 2.13 m | 2 m |
| Pool enclosure | 1.5 m, permit required | 1.2 m, compliance required by 30 September 2027 for pools installed before 1 November 2010 |
We install on both sides of the river and we file the application for you where one is needed. If your project is in Gatineau, read our guide to Gatineau fence by-laws instead.
Sources, and the date we checked them
Everything above comes straight from the City of Ottawa and was verified on 18 September 2026.
A municipal by-law can change. Before you order materials, confirm with the City or ask us to do it during the site visit.
Frequently asked questions
Ottawa fence by-laws
Do I need a permit for a fence in Ottawa?
How tall can a backyard fence be in Ottawa?
My lot is on a slope, how is the height measured?
What is the visibility triangle on a corner lot?
Which side of the fence has to face my neighbour?
What are the pool enclosure rules in Ottawa?
Are the rules the same in Gatineau?
Do you handle the permit?
Kevin & his team were very easy to work with and I'm very happy with the result of my new fence. I changed a few things to the original plan and there was no trouble or hassle in doing so. I'm already planning to hire them for another project!
Excellent service from start to finish! The work was completed quickly and with great care. The team is very professional and courteous, and communication was easy throughout the project. I am truly satisfied with the result-I highly recommend them. 5/5
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