Cambridge Fence & Deck Builder

Under City of Cambridge Fence By-law 92-05, fences behind the building line (side and rear yards) can be up to 2.1 metres (about 6½ feet) high. Fences between the building line and the front lot line are limited to 0.9 metres (3 feet). On corner lots, a fence up to 2.1 metres may run to the front lot line, but within the daylighting (visibility) triangle near the intersection it cannot exceed 0.75 metres. Always confirm your lot type and setbacks with the City before building.

No building permit is required for a standard residential fence in Cambridge — fences are specifically exempt under the City’s building permit rules. The exception is a fence enclosing a swimming pool or hot tub, which has its own permit and enclosure requirements. All fences must still follow the height rules in Fence By-law 92-05.

Any outdoor pool or hot tub holding 24 inches (0.6 m) of water or more must be enclosed by a fence at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) high, built so it cannot be climbed, with a self-closing, self-latching gate. A pool enclosure permit is required before installation, and the City conducts a final inspection to confirm compliance before the pool can be filled and used.

Yes, if the deck is attached to your house, exceeds 10 square metres (108 sq ft) in area, or will sit 24 inches (0.6 m) or more above grade at any point. Freestanding, ground-level decks under those thresholds generally don’t need a permit, but zoning setbacks and lot-coverage limits still apply. Decks 24 inches or higher require a guard at least 42 inches (1.07 m) tall.