Fences & Retaining Walls

What Permits Do I Need?

A Development Permit is not required unless a Fence is over 2 metres height and located in the rear or side yard or 1 metre in height and located in the front yard.

A Development Permit and Building Permit is not required unless a Retaining Wall is over 1.2 metres in height.

Rules & Requirements

Hinton's Land Use Bylaw describes rules and requirements for building fences and retaining walls in town.

Top tips

• All fences and retaining walls must be constructed on or within your property lines.
• No electrification or barbed wire fences will be permitted in residential districts.
• Retaining walls are required to be engineered if they are over 1.2 metres in height.  
• Use a GIS Map to locate your property and approximate property lines.
• A Real Property Report provided by an Alberta Land Surveyor is a tool that will allow you to locate your property lines with accuracy.

Check out the Inspections Group reference guide for guidelines on applying for Building Permits.