Fencing By-law Quick Reference

Yes, there are fence height limitation depending on where which portion of the property the Fence is installed:

1. – The Front-Yard fence is limited to not exceed 3 feet and 6 inches (1.07 meters) in height.
2. – The Back-Yard fence is limited to not exceed 8 feet and 2 inches (2.5 meters) in height.
3. – The Side-Yard fence is limited to not exceed  6 feet and 2 inches (1.9 meters) in height.

Please see Schedule A to the Fencing By-law for further reference.

Yes, every fence shall be constructed of durable materials, suitable for its intended use and be capable of supporting the intended structural loads.

Yes, the Township of Guelph/Eramosa prohibits the erection/construction of the following fences:

1.     Fence which contains or is constructed of barbed wire, chicken wire, wire or cable.

2.     Electrical Fence in Residential Area.

3.     Fence constructed with plywood, railway ties, scrap or hazardous material.

4.     Fence erected on municipal road allowance or right of way unless such Fence has been so authorized by a written encroachment agreement with the Township of Guelph/Eramosa.

An invisible fence is a system that transmits energy between the boundary line established by a property owner, a home base monitoring/transmitter device, and a receiver that is attached to a pet’s collar. The system is used to ensure the safety of pets and the general public by preventing pets from crossing an established boundary line.

The Township does not prohibit an invisible face from being used on a property however, the dog/pet owner will be held liable in an event that the dog/pet escapes the property without appropriate care and control (on leash/harness) from the owner.

Every owner of a swimming pool is required to ensure that a fence is erected prior to the construction of a swimming pool. During the construction of the swimming pool, a temporary fence shall be constructed to prevent unauthorized entry.

After the completion of the swimming pool, the temporary fence shall be replaced with a permanent fence conforming to the standards of By-law 47/2023.

A temporary fence shall be erected in a good workmanship manner and shall consist of:

1.  Steel “T” posts spaced at not more than 1.2 metres on centre embedded at least 600mm into the ground
2.  38mm plastic mesh fencing at least 1.2 metres in height and securely fastened to the posts at 200mm on centre vertically and at the top and bottom by 11 gauge steel lacing cable threaded through the mesh and looped and fastened to each post or equal.

Every owner of a swimming pool shall ensure that the fence surrounding the swimming pool:

1. Is located at least 500mm (1 foot, 8 inches) away from any other fence or other permanent objects that may facilitate climbing of the swimming pool fence;
2. Has a maximum opening of 100mm (4inches) between the bottom of the fence and the ground;
3. Does not contain barbed wire;
4. Does not project electric current;
5. Where a fence is constructed of vertical members, the maximum opening between each vertical member is 100mm (4 inches) and has no horizontal rails less than 1.2 meters (4 feet) apart;
6. Shall use the following material: wood, metal, masonry or plastic;
7. Shall be of the following type:
   1. Vertical louvre, picket, staggered picket, wrought iron or other metal fence having no separation between vertical - 4 - components exceeding one and one-half inches, which separation may be increased to not more than 100mm (four inches), the fence is at least 1.5m (five feet) high and has no horizontal rails less than 1.2m (four feet) apart; or
   2. Horizontal louvre, providing that the louvres have separations not exceeding 2.54cm (1 inch) measure at right angles to the two surfaces, are set at an angle of not less than forty-five degrees to the horizontal and slope upward toward the inside or swimming pool side of the fence;
   3. Solid; or
   4. Chain link, held taut at top and bottom and with diamond mesh not greater than 38mm (1 1/2 inches) per link;
8. Constructed in a manner to prevent climbing thereof;
9. Located at least 600mm (23 5/8 inches) from the edge of the water in the swimming pool;

Yes, the by-law requires that single-detached or semi-detached dwellings applying for a pool permit, contain a fence that has a minimum height of 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) measured from ground level to the top of the face.

In the case of a property other than a single-detached or semi-detached dwelling (e.g Townhouse or Apartment Dwellings), the property owner is required to erect a fence with a minimum of 1.8 meters (5 feet, 11 inches) measured from ground level to the top of the fence.

Yes, the by-law has the same fence requirements for Above Ground swimming pools with the following exceptions:

1. The vertical sides of the above-ground swimming pools and any deck or other assembly forming part of the swimming pool are the following minimum height:

     1.1 – 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) for Detached and Semi-Detached
          dwellings.

     1.2 – 1.8 meters (5 feet 11 inches) for all other types of dwellings.

2. The vertical sides are constructed and maintained in a manner to prevent
      climbing.
3. Ladders and stair assembly providing access to the above ground pool are
     latched/hinged in an upright position or gated in order to prevent
     unauthorized access to the swimming pool.

Yes, all fence provisions of this by-law apply to Hot Tubs with the exemption of Hot Tubs fitted with a lid or cover that is built to withstand human weight without collapse.