Fences & Retaining Walls | City of Medicine Hat

Guidance for developing a fence or retaining wall on your residential property. It is important to first obtain the necessary permits, to avoid incurring extra cost to fix deficiencies.

What permits do I need?

A Development Permit is required when:

The height of the proposed fence is higher than 2.0 meters (6'-6") in a back yard.
The height of the proposed fence is higher than 1.2 meters (4') in a front yard.
The height of the proposed retaining wall is higher than 1.2 meters (4').
The proposed retaining wall is likely to alter the surface drainage of the lot, affecting adjacent properties.

For more information about development permits, visit Development Permits

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Keep sight lines clear for vehicles. A fence or other obstruction must not be higher than 0.9 meters (2'-11") within a Corner Visibility Triangle. A fence, retaining wall or other development must not infringe on a neighbouring property.

A Building Permit is required when:

The height of the proposed retaining wall is 0.6 meters (24") or higher and will be located at or near the property boundary.
The height of the proposed retaining wall is 1.2 meters (4') or higher. In this case, the design must be approved by a professional engineer.

For more information about building permits, visit Building Permits

How to Apply

Online

Apply online

New to ePermit?
See user guide

We can help you apply online. Contact us by email or phone (403) 529-8374.

Payment Methods

Online:

Visa or Mastercard

In-person:

Debit
Cash
Cheque
Visa or Mastercard

Mail:

Cheque

Fees and Charges

How long will it take to approve permits?

Development permits: Timelines vary based on application type and the impact to the community.
Building permits: Typically within 15 business days, provided that an approved Development permit (if required) has been issued. The timeline of a Building permit application will increase if amendments or resubmissions are needed from the applicant.
Trade permits: Typically within 5 business days, provided the associated Building permit (if required) has been issued.

Line Locates

When planning your fence or retaining wall project, it is important to know where utilities are located on your property. Locates are free of charge but require three days notice.

To obtain line locates, visit: Line locates

Inspections

To book required inspections for construction work, visit: Inspections

Risks when permits are not obtained

By not obtaining permits for work done on your home, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to potential future legal and financial issues when selling your property or making an insurance claim. There could also be consequences if you do not correct the situation, such as:

Enforcement action issued by a Safety Codes Officer.
A fine for building without a permit.
Having to undo work that has been completed.
Future legal and financial issues when selling your property or making an insurance claim.
Having to do more work than was originally planned and budgeted, to fix deficiencies.
Potential liability to you, the homeowner, in the event of an accident.

As a homeowner, you are responsible for paying any penalties, even if you hired a contractor who assured you that permits were not required.