How tall can my fence be? Do I need a fence around my pool?
In the City of Waterloo, Ontario, fences & pool enclosures rules are set by Fence and Enclosure By-law 2013-017 and 1 other bylaw, verified 2026-08-29. A permit is required. Max height front: 0.9 metres (3 feet). Max height rear side: 2.44 metres (8 feet).
Fence and Enclosure By-law 2013-017
adopted bylaw
max height rear side
2.44 metres (8 feet)
s. 4.1(a)
max height front
0.9 metres (3 feet)
s. 4.1(b)
permit required
yes
s. 7.2(d)
sight triangle
No fence within corner lot visibility triangle (3 m × 15 m per s. 3.1(a)); max 0.9 m height within 2 m driveway visibility triangle
s. 3.1(a); s. 3.1(b)
prohibited materials
barbed wire; electrified fences
s. 7.2(a); s. 7.2(b)
scout note
Regulates fences/privacy screens: max height 2.44m rear/side, 0.9m front yard/sight triangle, 1.83m flankage; bans barbed wire/electrified fences; masonry fences over 0.6m need a building permit.
Pool Enclosure By-law 2013-018
adopted bylaw
permit required
yes
s. 3.1: "A Permit is required for any Pool Enclosure erected or located within the City"
pool enclosure
Pool enclosure must be at least 1.52 m high; gates must have self-closing and self-latching devices at least 1.22 m above grade and a lock.
s. 9.1(a), s. 10.1(c)(d)(e)
scout note
Requires a Pool Enclosure Permit before installing a pool and sets enclosure standards: the enclosure must extend from the ground to at least 1.52 m (5 ft) measured from effective ground level outside the enclosure, and must have no opening passing a sphere larger than 38 mm (1.5 in). Larger openings are allowed only by exception - up to 100