Ottawa Pool Fence By-laws
- Points below are a summary for quick reference only. See City of Ottawa Pool Fencing By-Law #2013-39 and the City of Ottawa By-Law site for complete information.
- A pool reflects anything capable of holding water greater than 24" (60cm) deep at any point.
- Temporary fences are allowed during the construction period, up to a maximum of 14 days.
- Fence around pool must be at least 5' high, and of an approved design to deter children from climbing.
- May have no openings through or under the fence that will allow a 4" diameter ball to pass through.
- Must equip all gates with a self-closing, self-latching, lockable device that is located at the top, inside of the gate. The latch must be at least 4-1/2' (1.35m) up from bottom of the gate and must be closed and locked at all times, except when the gate is in use.
- Chain Link must not have a diamond greater than 1-1/2" (3.8cm) openings.
- Posts must ALL be cemented in concrete, regardless of the type of fence.
- May not include barbed wire, electric fence, or any other dangerous characteristic.
- May not come closer than 3' (1m) away from the edge of an inground pool.
Ottawa Fencing By-laws - General
- Points below are a summary for quick reference only. See City of Ottawa By-Law #2003-462 and the City of Ottawa By-Law site for complete information.
- No person shall construct a fence that is not of good quality.
- Property owners are responsible to maintain their fence in good repair.
- No person shall construct a fence using barbed wire, chicken wire, electric wire or any other potentially harmful materials.
- Fences must be designed to present the finished side toward the street and neighbouring properties.
- No person shall construct a chainlink fence that is not either vinyl or powder coated.
- Nothing in this by-law shall prevent the continued use and maintenance of a fence if such fence was lawfully erected in conformity with the provisions of a fence by-law of an old municipality prior to January 1, 2004.
- The by-law does not set height restrictions on hedges, bushes or trees that serve as natural screenings.
- The by-law does not regulate where your fence should be installed relative to property lines other than "not on City property"
- The by-law does not regulate how costs of a fence should be shared among neighbours.
Ottawa Fencing By-laws - Height Restrictions
- Points below are a summary for quick reference only. See City of Ottawa By-Law #2003-462 and the City of Ottawa By-Law site for complete information.
- The height of a fence at any given point shall be measured from the highest grade at the base of the fence up to the top.
- There is a 30" maximum height restriction for corner lots 10' (3m) back in each direction from the corner property pin, in order to allow for driver visibility around the corner of the street(s).
- There is a 30" maximum height restriction for any lots 6-1/2' (2m) back from the streetside property pins, in order to allow for driver visibility from the street to any driveways.
- There is a 36" (1m) maximum height restriction for any fences that go beyond the front of the buildings (front yard).
- There is a 7' (213cm) maximum height restriction for any (other) fences (side and back yards).
- Gates, in side and back yards, may exceed the height restrictions by another 1' (30 cm).
- Gate archways also have a maximum height restriction of 8' (250cm).
- Post caps are considered to be in addition to the maximum heights - up to an additional 6" (15 cm).
- For residential properties that back on roadways considered to be major arterials on the City of Ottawa's Official Road Plan, the maximum height of fence is measured from the higher of (1) the base of fence or (2) the highpoint in the roadway. Up to a maximum of 10' (3m) high from the base.
- There is a 10' (3m) maximum height restriction for fences on or around non-residential properties.
- Salvage yards require a fence that is made of solid materials and uniform construction at a minimum of 6' (2m) high.