A fence is one of the simpler backyard projects, but it's also the one most likely to involve the neighbours and the by-law office. A little homework before the posts go in saves a lot of trouble later.
1. Find your property line
Don't guess from where the old fence was or where the lawn changes. Use your survey, or find the property pins at the corners of your lot. If you can't find them, an Ontario land surveyor can mark them. Building a few inches inside your own line avoids most disputes.
2. Check your municipality's fence by-law
Each municipality in Oxford County sets its own rules. They usually cover:
- Maximum height in the back and side yards, often around 6 feet
- A lower maximum in the front yard
- Sight-line triangles on corner lots and near driveways, where fences have to stay low so drivers can see
- Materials that aren't allowed, such as barbed wire in residential areas
Some newer subdivisions also have rules on fence style or colour in the purchase agreement. Check yours.
3. Talk to your neighbours
If the fence is on the shared line, the neighbour co-owns it. Many people agree to split the cost and pick a style together. If you can't agree, Ontario's Line Fences Act gives a process through the municipality, where fence viewers decide how a boundary fence is built and shared. It's usually quicker and friendlier to build just inside your own line.
4. Pools have their own rules
Pool enclosure by-laws set a minimum height, how big the gaps can be, and require self-closing, self-latching gates. Most municipalities want a permit and inspection before the pool is filled. Tell your contractor it's a pool fence from the start.
5. Call before you dig
Before any post holes are dug, buried gas, hydro, cable and phone lines have to be located. Ontario One Call arranges this for free. Your contractor usually books it. It can take a few days, so allow for it in the schedule.
6. Choose posts that last
Freeze-thaw is hard on fences. Posts set deep enough, with concrete shaped to shed water or on a gravel base, stay straight far longer. Ask each contractor how they set posts.
Ready to start? Send the form at the top of this page and we'll connect you with a fence contractor who covers your part of Oxford County.