Few home projects generate neighbour disputes faster than a fence built on bad assumptions. The good news: Calgary’s fence rules are straightforward once someone explains them plainly. Here they are.

How Tall Can My Fence Be?

The City of Calgary Land Use Bylaw sets simple maximums:

Front yard: up to 1.5 m (about 5 ft)
Side and rear yards: up to 2 m (6.5 ft)

Corner lots have extra restrictions where fences meet streets — sight lines for drivers must be preserved near intersections. If your lot backs onto a busy road, you may also want an acoustic fence, which has its own design considerations.

Do I Need a Permit?

For a standard fence at standard heights: no permit required. You only need permits if:

You want to exceed the height maximums (requiring a development permit approval)
Your property has specific land use designation constraints
Retaining walls are involved above certain heights

We confirm requirements for your specific lot during the estimate — it takes minutes and prevents months of headache.

Whose Fence Is It? Property Lines 101

Before any post goes into the ground, know where your property line actually is. Key points:

Your real property report (RPR) shows lot lines. If you don’t have one, your municipality or a surveyor can help.
Assuming the old fence was right is how fences end up on neighbour land. Old fences migrate.
Fences on the line are shared property under Alberta law — neighbours generally share maintenance responsibility and should agree before removal or replacement.

A five-minute conversation with your neighbour before construction prevents ninety percent of fence disputes. Bring cookies. Seriously.

Materials That Survive Calgary Winters

Calgary’s chinooks — those wild temperature swings from -25°C to +10°C in a day — are brutal on fences. Freeze-thaw cycles heave posts that aren’t set below frost line in concrete. Our standards:

Posts set below frost depth, anchored in concrete
Rot protection at grade level (rot boards or pressure-rated lumber)
Hardware rated for exterior use — not whatever was cheapest

Repair or Replace?

A leaning section usually means failed posts, not a failed fence. Replacing two posts can buy years of life for hundreds of dollars instead of thousands. We’ll always tell you honestly which situation you’re in — repair-first advice is kind of our thing.

Ready for a New Fence?

Whether you need a full privacy fence, a single section rebuilt after last winter’s windstorms, or just want to know what’s possible on your lot, get in touch for a free estimate.