You don't need a permit to replace a standard fence in East Gwillimbury, but the Town's Fence By-law 2019-130 still applies: 0.9 m in the front yard, 2 m on the sides and back, and 45 cm back from sidewalks.
Most fence replacements go wrong before the first post goes in. The new fence ends up a little taller than the old one, or sits closer to the sidewalk, or goes on a corner where it should not. The Town does not review a standard fence ahead of time, so nobody warns you. If the fence breaks the by-law, you find out afterwards, and fixing it is your cost. The numbers below come from the Town of East Gwillimbury's fence page.
Heights: front yard versus side and rear
A front yard fence can be up to 0.9 metres (3 feet) tall. The one exception is chain link, which can go to 1.2 metres (4 feet). Side yard and rear yard fences can be up to 2 metres (6.6 feet).
That front yard limit catches people who are replacing an older fence. If a previous owner put up something taller, it may not match today's rule, and a like-for-like replacement is a new fence in the Town's eyes. Measure the front yard stretch before you order lumber.
The sidewalk setback and the sight triangle
Every fence has to sit at least 45 centimetres (18 inches) from a sidewalk. If your old fence was closer, set the new posts back.
The by-law also says no fence is permitted in a Sight Triangle or a Driveway Sight Triangle. These are the clear zones that keep drivers able to see people and traffic at corners and at the end of a driveway. They matter most on a corner lot. The Town's page does not print the dimensions, so ask the Town or read the by-law before you build near a corner or a driveway.
Privacy screens have their own rules
A privacy screen has to be at least 1 metre (3.37 feet) from the rear and side lot lines and at least 4.5 metres (14.9 feet) from the street line. A solid screen along the property line is not the same thing as a fence under this by-law, so do not assume your fence rules cover it.
When a permit does come into it
A standard fence needs no permit. A fence that serves as a pool enclosure does: the Town requires a Pool Enclosure Permit, and pool fences have their own rules. We cover those in pool fence and gate repair in East Gwillimbury. If your lot is in a new subdivision the Town has not yet assumed, read our guide for new Queensville and Sharon homes first.
If you want something the by-law does not allow
You can apply to the Town for a variance. The application fee is $394.20, paid at Customer Service at the Civic Centre in Sharon, and the Town has a Fence Variance Application form. For a fence a few inches over the limit, it is almost always cheaper to build to the rules than to apply.
A short checklist before you start
- Measure the height of each section: front yard 0.9 m (1.2 m for chain link), side and rear 2 m.
- Check that every post is at least 45 cm from the sidewalk.
- On a corner lot or near a driveway, confirm the sight triangle with the Town.
- If part of it is a privacy screen, check the 1 m and 4.5 m setbacks.
- If it will enclose a pool or hot tub, get the Pool Enclosure Permit first.
Quick answers
Do I need a permit to replace a fence in East Gwillimbury?
No, the Town says a permit is not required to build a standard fence, but the fence must still follow Fence By-law 2019-130. A fence that serves as a pool enclosure does need a Pool Enclosure Permit.
How tall can a fence be in East Gwillimbury?
A front yard fence can be 0.9 metres (3 feet) high, or 1.2 metres (4 feet) if it is chain link. Side and rear yard fences can be up to 2 metres (6.6 feet).
How far does a fence have to be from the sidewalk?
At least 45 centimetres (18 inches) from the sidewalk. No fence is allowed in a sight triangle or a driveway sight triangle, which matters most on corner lots and next to driveways.
What does a fence variance cost in East Gwillimbury?
The Town's application fee is $394.20, paid at Customer Service at the Civic Centre in Sharon. You apply when you want a fence that does not meet the by-law, such as a taller front yard fence.
Who can replace my fence?
A handyman can usually replace a standard wood or chain-link fence, but check the by-law numbers first. Rhodex can match you with a craftsman: get a fixed price.
Build it right the first time
Fence rules are easy to meet when you check them before the posts go in, and expensive to fix afterwards. Take the five minutes to measure and confirm the setbacks, then build.
Related reading
- Fence repair from Rhodex: get a fixed price
- Splitting the Cost of a Shared Back Fence in East Gwillimbury
- Pool Fence or Gate Broken in East Gwillimbury? What the By-law Requires
- Deck, Shed or Fence on a New Queensville or Sharon Home: What to Wait For
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