Practical guide
Pontiac fence by-laws
Pontiac is the only municipality in our territory that draws no distinction between the front yard and the rest. One height, 2 metres, everywhere. Two exceptions matter: the corner lot and the waterfront.
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
One maximum height: 2 m, for every use and in every yard. Article 84 of zoning by-law 11-24 gives no front, side and rear table: it gives a single figure. Article 83 allows a fence in every yard and expressly frees it from the setbacks.
That is unusual. Most municipalities around here cap the front yard at 1 m or 1.2 m. Pontiac does not. Do not import the neighbouring town's number.
And yes, a permit is required. The Municipality issues a fence permit at a published fee of CA$50.
The two exceptions to the 2 m rule
1. The corner lot. Inside the visibility triangle nothing may exceed 60 cm. Article 86 expressly names fences, hedges, plantings and retaining walls. An owner who reads "2 m" and builds without checking the corner builds a non-compliant fence.
2. The waterfront. Inside the shoreline strip, 10 m or 15 m depending on the slope, no construction or encroachment is permitted, except an access window to the water no more than 5 m wide. On a waterfront lot that rule overrides the 2 m.
The visibility triangle: at least 7 m
On a corner lot the triangle is measured along each of the sides bordering the street. The annex states a minimum length of 7 m, not a fixed value: read it as "at least 7 m", not "exactly 7 m".
Nothing above 60 cm inside it. Trees are permitted, unlike fences and hedges.
Prohibited materials
- Barbed wire, except for public utility networks and in the dynamic and viable agricultural zones (AD and AV).
- Chicken wire and farm fence, same exceptions.
- Used sheet metal.
Pools: the rule is not municipal
Pontiac sets no pool enclosure dimension at all. Article 63 defers entirely to the provincial residential pool safety regulation and gives it precedence.
So the enclosure numbers, the 1.2 m, the 10 cm sphere, the self-latching gate and the 30 September 2027 deadline, come from Quebec and not from Pontiac. Be wary of any site that attributes an enclosure height to Pontiac's by-law.
What we will not tell you, and why
- What the height is measured from. Article 84 gives 2 m without saying whether it is from natural ground, finished grade, or the higher side of a grade change. The by-law never says. That is a genuine gap in the text, not a gap in our reading.
- A low wall height. The municipal form has a "Muret" work type, but by-law 11-24 contains no provision for low walls.
A caution on the version. The consolidated PDF published in August 2025 does not incorporate amendments 08-25, 09-25 and 10-25, and the Municipality itself posts a notice of amendments in progress. Confirm before ordering.
Sources, and the date we checked them
Verified on 18 September 2026 against the Municipality of Pontiac's own documents.
- Zoning By-law no. 11-24, in force 27 May 2025. Fences are in Chapter VII, articles 83 to 85. The visibility triangle is article 86, which opens Chapter VIII.
- By-law respecting permits no. 14-24, and the Municipality's Urbanisme page for the fence permit fee.
A by-law can be amended. Confirm with the Municipality, or ask us to do it during the visit.
Frequently asked questions
Pontiac fence by-laws
How tall can a fence be in Pontiac?
Do I need a permit for a fence in Pontiac?
Can I really put 2 m in the front yard in Pontiac?
What is the visibility triangle in Pontiac?
I have waterfront property, does that change anything?
Is barbed wire allowed in Pontiac?
How tall must my pool enclosure be in Pontiac?
Do you serve Pontiac, Luskville and Quyon?
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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