Working With Wood
deck, pergola, fence, shed, and patio-structure builderNiagara Region, Ontario · LANE: FENCING
Fence and Deck Building & Repair Experts
Ballpark ranges only, not a quote: fencing in Ontario generally runs about $40-$95/linear foot depending on material. Wood privacy fencing (Peter's own material) commonly runs $28-$60/linear foot, with high-end builds using 6x6 posts and full pressure-treated privacy boards landing $68-$75/linear foot. Chain link (Peter's other material) commonly runs $25-$38/linear foot for a 6 ft fence. A 100-linear-foot wood privacy fence often lands around $4,000-$6,500 all-in. These are wide, self-serving 2026 marketing-content ranges, not a fixed price -- your actual cost depends on length, height, terrain, gates, and material. Book a real estimate for a number you can rely on.
Fences are generally governed by municipal zoning by-laws (height and setback rules), not by an Ontario Building Code permit the way a deck or shed can be -- so the question to ask is usually "does my fence comply with the local by-law," not "do I need an OBC permit." Confirm the specific process with your own municipality before building. In Niagara Falls, the confirmed by-law maximum is 2.5 m (about 8'2") in the rear yard and 1 m (about 3.28 ft) along the front-yard side. We have not confirmed the equivalent St. Catharines or Niagara-on-the-Lake height figures, so we do not guess a number for those municipalities here -- check your own municipality's fence by-law, or ask us to confirm it as part of your project. Corner lots generally carry stricter front/side height rules than mid-block lots, because of sight-triangle visibility requirements at the intersection -- a detail worth flagging early if your property is on a corner. Separately, and often the more consequential question for a shared boundary fence: under Ontario's Line Fences Act, a neighbour can be compelled to share the cost of a boundary fence, but ONLY if the cost-sharing is agreed, or formally noticed, IN WRITING BEFORE work begins. Build first without that written agreement or notice and you generally cannot force your neighbour to pay after the fact. Where neighbours can't agree, municipalities appoint "fence-viewers" to resolve the dispute. See ontario.ca/page/line-fences-act for the full process.
Wood privacy fencing costs less per foot upfront and gives full, natural-looking privacy, but like any exterior wood in Ontario's climate it needs periodic re-staining or sealing to hold up over the years. Chain link costs less again per foot, needs essentially no annual finishing, and is a durable, low-maintenance boundary option, but it does not provide privacy the way a solid wood fence does. Peter builds both wood privacy and chain-link fencing; vinyl and ornamental/metal fencing are not part of his current lane, so if you are set on one of those materials, ask directly and we will tell you honestly whether that is a fit. The right choice usually comes down to whether privacy or budget-plus-low-maintenance matters more for your property.
Ballpark, fencing in Ontario runs about $40-$95/linear foot depending on material. Wood privacy typically runs $28-$60/linear foot (up to $68-$75/linear foot for a high-end 6x6-post full-privacy build), and chain link typically runs $25-$38/linear foot. A 100-foot wood privacy fence often lands around $4,000-$6,500 all-in. These are wide ranges, not a quote -- book an estimate for a number specific to your property.
Under Ontario's Line Fences Act, a neighbour CAN be compelled to share the cost of a boundary fence -- but only if the cost-sharing is agreed, or formally noticed, IN WRITING BEFORE work begins. If you build first without that written agreement or notice, you generally cannot force your neighbour to pay afterward. Where neighbours disagree, the municipality appoints "fence-viewers" to resolve it. See ontario.ca/page/line-fences-act for the full process.
In Niagara Falls, the confirmed maximum is 2.5 m (about 8'2") in the rear yard and 1 m (about 3.28 ft) along the front-yard side; corner lots generally carry stricter front/side limits for sight-triangle visibility. We have not confirmed the equivalent figures for St. Catharines or Niagara-on-the-Lake, so check your own municipality's fence by-law rather than assume Niagara Falls' numbers apply -- or ask us to confirm it for you.
Generally fences are governed by municipal zoning by-laws (height and setback rules), not by an Ontario Building Code permit the way a deck or shed can be. The practical question is usually "does my fence comply with the local by-law," and that's worth confirming with your own municipality before building.
Wood privacy fencing costs more per foot but gives full, natural privacy and needs periodic re-staining. Chain link costs less, needs almost no upkeep, and is very durable, but does not provide privacy. Peter builds both -- the right call usually comes down to whether privacy or budget-plus-low-maintenance matters more for your property.
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905-324-5313