Winnipeg Fence Permit Site Plan | Corner Lots & Gates

Example of a Winnipeg fence site plan showing a corner lot, property boundaries, proposed fence sections, gate locations, driveway access, streets, and visibility considerations.

A fence can improve privacy, secure a backyard, create safe space for children or pets, and define how people enter the property. On a Winnipeg corner lot, however, fence planning can be more complicated because the property has two street frontages.

The homeowner must understand which portion of the property is treated as the front yard, how high the fence can be, where the legal property lines are located, and whether the fence or gate could interfere with a driveway, sidewalk, intersection, or other important sightline.

A clear Winnipeg fence permit site plan shows the complete lot from above. It identifies the proposed fence, property boundaries, gates, house, garage, driveway, streets, lanes, and other features that affect placement.

This guide explains Winnipeg residential fence rules, corner-lot considerations, gate placement, property-line accuracy, visibility, and when a site plan may be needed.

Do you need a fence permit in Winnipeg?

The City of Winnipeg states that a building permit is not required for a standard residential fence serving a single- or two-family dwelling.^[1]

The City’s current development-permit guidance also lists permitted fences in the front, side, and rear yards of single- and two-family homes as projects that may be exempt from a development permit.

Fences and gates in other zoning districts may also qualify for an exemption when they comply with:

• Maximum fence-height regulations
• Applicable setbacks
• Private approach requirements
• Property-specific zoning rules
• Other applicable development conditions

A permit exemption does not mean there are no rules. The fence must still comply with the Winnipeg Zoning By-law and remain within the property boundaries.^[2]

When might a fence site plan be needed?

A site plan may be requested or useful when:

• The property is a corner or reverse-corner lot
• The proposed fence exceeds the normal height limit
• A zoning variance is required
• The fence is close to a driveway or street intersection
• A new gate changes vehicle access
• The driveway approach will be widened, moved, or reconstructed—see our Winnipeg driveway widening site plan guide
• The project involves an unusual street-side yard
• The fence forms part of a swimming-pool enclosure—see our Winnipeg pool site plan guide
• The property is close to a river, flood area, or stormwater-retention basin
• The legal property-line location is uncertain
• The City has requested a drawing showing the proposed layout
• A neighbour disputes the fence location

Even where the City does not require a permit, a dimensioned site plan can help the homeowner and contractor agree on the layout before posts are installed.

For a general overview of local permit drawings, see our

Winnipeg site plan for permit guide
.

What is a fence site plan?

A fence site plan is an overhead drawing of the property showing every proposed fence section and gate in relation to the legal property boundaries and existing site features.

It should make several questions easy to answer:

• Where will the fence begin and end?
• Is the fence entirely inside the property?
• How high will each fence section be?
• Which part of the lot is considered the front yard?
• Where will pedestrian and vehicle gates be located?
• Will the fence affect a driveway or street sightline?
• Does the project involve a corner lot?
• Are there easements, utilities, trees, or structures near the fence?

A permit site plan is not automatically a legal survey. When the boundary location is uncertain, a Manitoba Land Surveyor may be required.

Read our guide explaining the

difference between a site plan and a property survey
.

What should a Winnipeg fence site plan show?

1. All property lines

Show the complete shape of the lot, including the front, rear, and side property boundaries. Corner properties should clearly show both street-facing lot lines.

Include the overall lot width and depth when that information is available.

The proposed fence should be drawn inside the property limits unless it is a shared fence that both adjoining owners have agreed to place directly on the boundary.

2. The proposed fence layout

Draw every proposed fence section as a clear continuous line. Distinguish new fencing from fencing that already exists.

Useful labels may include:

• Proposed wood privacy fence
• Existing chain-link fence
• Fence to be removed
• New pool enclosure
• Proposed decorative front-yard fence
• Shared boundary fence

Where the proposed fence changes height or material, identify each separate section.

3. Fence height

Label the proposed height of each fence section.

A corner-lot fence may contain:

• A lower front-yard section
• A taller rear-yard privacy section
• A transition between the two heights
• An open-style section near a driveway or street corner

Do not show one height for the entire fence when different zoning-yard classifications apply.

4. Existing house

Show the complete footprint of the existing house. The front wall of the dwelling is important because the City’s residential fence guide uses it to distinguish the front yard from the side and rear yards.

Also show relevant porches, steps, attached garages, bay windows, and other building projections.

5. Garages, sheds, and other structures

Show significant existing structures such as:

• Detached garages
• Carports
• Sheds
• Decks and stairs
• Gazebos
• Pools and hot tubs
• Retaining walls
• Other accessory buildings

These features may affect gate placement, construction access, visibility, drainage, and the practical use of the yard. For larger backyard structures, review our

Winnipeg accessory-building site plan requirements
.

Project-specific guidance is also available for a

Winnipeg shed site plan

and a

Winnipeg detached garage site plan
.

6. Streets and rear lanes

Label every street adjoining the property. Where a public rear lane exists, show and label it as well.

A corner lot normally has two street frontages. Both should be visible on the site plan so the front-yard and street-side conditions can be reviewed correctly.

7. Driveway and private approach

Show the driveway, the point where it crosses the property line, and the connection to the street or rear lane.

The fence and gate layout should not make the driveway difficult or unsafe to use.

Where a fence project also involves installing, widening, relocating, or reconstructing the portion of a driveway within the public right-of-way, the City requires an Approach Construction Permit. The City may accept a well-drawn site plan showing the property dimensions, buildings, and proposed approach dimensions as supporting documentation.^[4]

For projects combining fencing with a new covered parking area, coordinate the gate and driveway arrangement with the

Winnipeg carport site plan requirements
.

8. Pedestrian and vehicle gates

Show every proposed gate and identify whether it serves pedestrians, vehicles, or both.

The drawing should indicate:

• Gate width
• Gate location
• Direction of swing
• Connection to a walkway or driveway
• Whether the gate is single or double leaf
• Whether the gate is part of a pool enclosure

Showing the swing direction helps confirm that the gate can open without striking a building, parked vehicle, retaining wall, or other obstruction.

Gates beside a sidewalk, street, or lane should be planned carefully so the gate and its hardware remain within the property and do not create an obstruction in the public right-of-way.

9. Corner visibility and driveway sightlines

On a corner property, show the area around the intersection of the two street-facing property lines. Also show the relationship between the fence, driveway, sidewalk, curb, and road.

A tall solid fence close to a street corner or driveway can make it more difficult for drivers to see pedestrians, cyclists, or approaching traffic.

The site plan can identify:

• The street corner
• The curb and sidewalk
• The driveway opening
• The proposed fence height near the corner
• Open or transparent fence sections
• Hedges and landscaping that may also block visibility

10. Hedges and landscaping

The City treats hedges and plantings that create a fence effect as fences for height-regulation purposes.^[1]

Show substantial hedges near:

• Street corners
• Driveways
• Sidewalks
• Pedestrian gates
• Vehicle gates

A compliant fence can still leave poor visibility when a dense hedge extends above or beyond it.

11. Easements and utilities

Show known easements, utility boxes, meters, poles, overhead wires, drainage swales, and underground service areas where they affect the fence.

Installing fence posts inside an easement can interfere with utility access or create problems when underground services need repair.

Underground utility locations should be confirmed before digging post holes.

12. North arrow and drawing scale

Include a north arrow and use a consistent scale. Written dimensions should remain the primary source of measurement.

The drawing should remain legible when exported to PDF or printed.

Our

residential site plan checklist

can help you organize property information before the drawing is prepared.

Winnipeg residential fence height limits

The City’s residential fence guide identifies the following standard maximum heights:

• Front yard: 1.2 metres, or 4 feet
• Side and rear yards: 2.0 metres, or approximately 6 feet 6 inches

These are maximum heights for a standard residential fence. A lower fence may be appropriate near driveways, street corners, or other areas where visibility is important.^[1]

Fence height is generally measured from the normal ground level to the top of the fence between the posts.

A homeowner who wants to exceed the permitted height must normally apply for a variance rather than simply constructing the taller fence.

How Winnipeg defines the front yard on a corner lot

Corner-lot fence layouts are easy to misunderstand because the front door or front wall of the house does not always face the zoning front yard.

The City’s residential fence guide states that, on a corner lot, the narrowest property width facing a street is considered the front yard for zoning purposes, regardless of which direction the house faces.^[1]

This means the area beside the house may be legally classified as the front yard.

For example, consider a lot with:

• A 15-metre frontage on one street
• A 30-metre frontage on the second street
• The front door facing the longer street frontage

The 15-metre street-facing width may still establish the zoning front yard because it is the narrower street frontage.

That classification can determine where the 1.2-metre fence-height limit applies.

Corner lots and visibility

A corner-lot fence should provide privacy without creating an avoidable obstruction for people using the street and sidewalk.

Visibility concerns can involve:

• Drivers approaching the intersection
• Vehicles backing from the driveway
• Pedestrians using the sidewalk
• Children approaching from behind a solid fence
• Cyclists travelling beside the property
• Snowbanks that reduce visibility during winter
• Hedges or shrubs extending beyond the fence

Possible design responses include:

• Using a lower fence near the street corner
• Using an open ornamental or chain-link section
• Moving a solid privacy section farther from the corner
• Keeping hedges trimmed below the critical sightline
• Placing the gate where users can see the sidewalk before exiting
• Avoiding gate panels that block the driveway when open

The correct solution depends on the property layout. Where visibility is uncertain, confirm the proposed fence configuration with the City before installing permanent posts.

Gate placement beside a driveway

A driveway gate should be positioned so vehicles can enter and exit without blocking the sidewalk or street unnecessarily.

The site plan should show:

• The gate opening width
• The width of the driveway
• The distance between the gate and property line
• The direction in which the gate opens
• Space needed for a vehicle to wait
• Any automatic gate equipment
• Nearby utility boxes, poles, trees, or snow-storage areas

A sliding gate may require clear space along the fence line. A swinging gate requires an unobstructed arc and should be arranged so it does not extend over the sidewalk, boulevard, street, or lane.

Where the gate project also changes the driveway approach, separate Public Works approval may be needed.

Can a fence be built directly on the property line?

The City states that a fence may be constructed along and up to the property line while remaining within the property limits.

A fence shared by adjoining neighbours may be constructed directly on the property line when both parties cooperate on the project.^[1]

Where there is no written agreement, placing the fence slightly inside the owner’s confirmed property boundary can help avoid an encroachment.

The site plan should clearly distinguish between:

• The legal property line
• The proposed fence line
• An existing fence that may not follow the legal boundary

Do not assume the existing fence marks the boundary

An older fence may have been installed:

• Inside one owner’s property
• Across the legal property line
• Around a tree or utility feature
• Without survey information
• According to an informal agreement between previous owners

The City’s residential fence guide states that accurately locating the property lines requires a Manitoba Land Surveyor’s Staking Certificate. Using a qualified land surveyor is the best way to avoid property-boundary disputes.^[1]

Online maps, aerial images, fences, curbs, and landscaping can help explain the general site layout, but they should not be used to resolve a disputed legal boundary.

What fence materials are permitted?

The City’s residential fence guide identifies common permitted materials such as:

• Wood
• Brick
• Concrete
• Metal

Barbed-wire and electric fences are not permitted in residential areas.^[1]

Except for private-pool enclosures, the City generally does not regulate:

• Fence colour
• Which finished side faces outward
• Most decorative styles

Homeowners may still be subject to private subdivision agreements, condominium rules, heritage requirements, or neighbourhood design restrictions that are separate from municipal fence regulations.

Pool fences follow different rules

A fence forming part of a swimming-pool enclosure is not governed only by the standard residential fence guidance.

The City’s pool requirements generally call for:

• A non-climbable barrier at least 1.5 metres, or 5 feet, high
• Self-closing gates
• Self-latching and lockable gate hardware
• Controlled openings and ground clearances
• A complete enclosure before the pool contains more than 600 millimetres of water

The pool, fence, gates, equipment, property lines, and nearby structures should all appear on the

Winnipeg pool site plan
.

Standard front-yard fence dimensions should not be used to design a pool enclosure without reviewing the separate pool-barrier requirements.

Who pays for a shared fence?

The City’s residential fence guide states that a neighbour is not automatically obligated to pay half the cost of a fence.

Neighbours can voluntarily agree to share:

• Material costs
• Installation costs
• Maintenance responsibilities
• Fence style and height
• The precise fence location

Private disputes involving ownership, cost sharing, damage, or location are civil matters rather than municipal fence-permit issues.

A written agreement and confirmed boundary information can prevent confusion after construction.

When is a fence variance required?

A variance may be needed when the proposed fence does not comply with the normal zoning rules.

Common examples include:

• A front-yard fence higher than 1.2 metres
• A side- or rear-yard fence higher than 2.0 metres
• A taller privacy fence in a zoning front yard on a corner lot
• An unusual fence configuration affected by the property layout
• A fence connected to another non-compliant site feature

A variance application does not guarantee approval. The City will review the property, surrounding development, requested change, potential effects, and the reason the normal rule cannot be met.

The variance site plan should clearly show:

• Property boundaries
• Both street frontages on a corner lot
• Existing and proposed fence sections
• Fence heights
• House and accessory structures
• Driveways and gates
• The specific area covered by the variance

Common fence site-plan mistakes

• Showing only part of the property
• Failing to show both streets on a corner lot
• Treating the front door direction as the zoning front yard
• Leaving the fence height off the drawing
• Showing only one proposed fence section
• Failing to distinguish existing and proposed fencing
• Assuming an existing fence is the legal boundary
• Placing the fence over the property line
• Leaving pedestrian or vehicle gates off the plan
• Not showing the gate swing direction
• Omitting the driveway and private approach
• Ignoring visibility near a street corner or driveway
• Leaving large hedges or shrubs off the drawing
• Using the image’s sample sight triangle as a confirmed City standard
• Failing to show garages, sheds, pools, or retaining walls
• Submitting an undimensioned satellite image
• Using labels that become unreadable in the final PDF

See our guide to

common site plan mistakes that delay permit approval
.

What to provide when ordering your fence site plan

Collecting accurate information before drafting begins can reduce revisions.

Useful documents and details include:

• The complete property address
• A survey, staking certificate, or property document
• The proposed fence material
• The height of each fence section
• The total fence length
• The location and width of each gate
• The gate swing direction
• Whether the property is an interior or corner lot
• The location of the existing house
• The location of garages, sheds, decks, pools, and other structures
• The driveway and private-approach location
• Photos of the property and existing fence
• Known easements and utility locations
• Any proposed driveway modification
• Any correspondence or comments received from the City

Homeowners elsewhere in the province can also review our

Manitoba site plan services guide

and our article explaining

what municipal reviewers check first on a site plan
.

Frequently asked questions

Does a standard residential fence require a building permit in Winnipeg?

No. The City states that a building permit is not required for a standard residential fence serving a single- or two-family dwelling.

Does a fence require a development permit?

A permitted fence or gate may qualify for a development-permit exemption when it complies with the applicable maximum height, setback, private-approach, and zoning requirements.

How high can a Winnipeg residential fence be?

The standard maximum is 1.2 metres, or 4 feet, in the front yard and 2.0 metres, or approximately 6 feet 6 inches, in the side and rear yards.

Which side is the front yard on a corner lot?

The City’s residential fence guide states that the narrowest property width facing a street is considered the front yard for zoning purposes, regardless of which way the house or front door faces.

Is the corner visibility triangle always 7.5 metres?

The 7.5-metre triangle shown in the article image is illustrative. Do not treat it as a confirmed universal requirement for every Winnipeg residential property. Confirm applicable visibility, street, and private-approach requirements for the specific site.

Can I build a fence directly on my property line?

A fence can be built up to the property line while remaining within the property. A shared fence may be placed directly on the line where adjoining owners agree.

Does my existing fence prove where the property line is?

No. The existing fence may not follow the legal boundary. The City recommends a Manitoba Land Surveyor’s Staking Certificate to accurately establish property lines.

Can a driveway gate open over the sidewalk?

Gate placement and swing should remain within the property and avoid obstructing the sidewalk, boulevard, street, or lane. Show the gate swing on the site plan and confirm unusual arrangements with the City.

Are hedges subject to fence-height rules?

Yes. The City states that hedges and other plantings that create a fence effect are subject to the same height regulations as fences.

Can I use barbed wire or an electric fence?

The City’s residential fence guide states that barbed-wire and electric fences are not permitted in residential areas.

Can a fence site plan replace a property survey?

No. A site plan shows the proposed fence using available property information. A Manitoba Land Surveyor establishes legal property boundaries.

Order a Winnipeg fence site plan

A well-prepared site plan clearly shows where the proposed fence and gates will be installed, how the layout relates to the property lines, and whether a corner lot, driveway, street, or existing structure affects the project.

Siteplans.ca prepares residential site plans using available property documents, customer-provided measurements, photographs, and proposed project details. Reasonable edits are included when a municipal reviewer requests drawing changes within the original project scope.

Fence, gate, zoning, visibility, private-approach, pool-barrier, and property-line requirements can change and may vary by property. Confirm current requirements with the City of Winnipeg before construction. Siteplans.ca does not replace a Manitoba Land Surveyor, lawyer, contractor, or municipal authority where those services are required.