Fences and hedges

No shrub, bush, or hedge may be planted less than 1 m (3.3 ft.) from a fire hydrant.

No hedge may be planted less than 2 m (6.6 ft.) from a sidewalk, or a curb where there is no sidewalk, or, where there is no sidewalk or curb, less than 3 m (9.8 ft.) from the edge of the street pavement.

A fence or hedge located within the visibility triangle may not exceed 75 cm (29.5 in.) in height. The height is measured with reference to the centre of the street.

The height of fences and hedges is measured from the adjacent ground level and must comply with the maximum prescribed heights.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to check all public or private rights-of-way. Hedges are tolerated within the street right-of-way, but are installed at the owner’s risk, and the city reserves the right to request their removal at any time.

Front yard

Fences are note permitted in front yards with the exception of snow fences used to protect plants and landscaping.

Hedges may not exceed 1.2 m (4 ft.) in height in the street right-of-way and the front setback and 1.85 m (6 ft.) in the front yard, except within the visibility triangle, where a hedge may not exceed 75 cm (29.5 in.) in height.

Secondary front yard

Fences may not exceed 1.85 m (6 ft.) in height. The height specifications for hedges in secondary front yards are the same as those for hedges in front yards.

Side and back yards

Fences may not exceed 1.85 m (6 ft.) in height. Hedges may not exceed 3.7 m (12 ft.) in height.

Only the following types of fences are authorized:

• Wood fences with openings;
• Ornamental metal fences;
• Rigid PVC fences;
• Vinyl-covered or enamelled steel chain-link fences;
• Low brick or stone walls.

In secondary front yards, only ornamental metal fences, or vinyl-covered or enamelled steel chain-link fences are authorized. A fence made of any other authorized material must be screened from the street by a hedge.

The following types of fences are prohibited anywhere in the municipality:

• Fiberglass panel fences;
• Snow fences (exception : snow fences used to protect and landscaping are authorized from October 15 to april 15);
• Barbed wire fences.

Hedges must be trimmed and pruned when they exceed the maximum permissible height. All low walls and fences must be properly maintained.

For more information on landscaping and outdoor equipment, please consult the pamphlets entitled “Outdoor landscaping and installations” and “Terraces, balconies, galleries, porticos and porches.

The following provisions are provided for information and refer to articles 1002, 1003, and 1004 of the Civil Code of Québec.

1002. “Any owner of land may fence it, at his own expense, with walls, ditches, hedges or any other kind of fence.

Before fencing your land, it is advisable to have a land surveyor stake out the boundaries of your property.

« He may also require his neighbour to make 1/2 of or share the cost of making a fence which is suited to the situation and use made of the premises, on the dividing line to divide his land from his neighbour's land. »

1003. “A fence on the dividing line is presumed to be common. Similarly, a wall supporting buildings on either side is presumed to be common up to the point of disjunction.”

1004. “Any owner may cause a private wall directly adjacent to the dividing line to be rendered common by reimbursing the owner of the wall for 1/2 of the cost of the section rendered common and, where applicable, 1/2 of the value of the ground used. The cost of the wall is estimated on the date on which it was rendered common, and account is taken of its state.”