Corner fence in Kanata blocked by the triangle rule, options?

On a Kanata corner lot, two separate rules limit what you can put near the corner, and understanding both opens up a few practical paths forward.

The Fence By-law (No. 2003-462) says no fence over 75 cm within a triangle formed by measuring 3 m along each lot line from the corner. That applies to any fence, solid or open. Separately, Ottawa's Zoning By-law (2008-250, s.57, and Zoning By-law 2026-50, s.216) says no solid obstruction over 0.75 m within a triangle measured 6 m along each street lot line from the corner. Zoning counts buildings, structures and vegetation as obstructions, but says a chain link fence or other similar feature that can be seen through is not an obstruction.

That distinction gives you a few options to consider:

• Inside the 3 m Fence By-law triangle, nothing over 75 cm is permitted, full stop, regardless of material.
• The two triangles are separate rules with separate measurements; where your fence line falls relative to each is something to confirm with the City before building.
• A hedge is not a fence under the Fence By-law, but zoning's 6 m triangle counts vegetation as an obstruction over 0.75 m, so a tall hedge near the corner is a question for the City too.

On the see-through option: the Fence By-law (s.18) requires that any chain link fence on residential property be vinyl or powder coated. Ask the City to confirm how a see-through fence on your specific lot sits relative to both triangles before committing to a design.

Published 2025-26 Ontario installer prices for coated chain link run roughly $15 to $50 per linear foot installed, and ornamental aluminum varies too widely for a reliable range. Get the full fence layout drawn out in the quote, with each segment's height and distance from the corner marked, so you can check it against both triangles yourself.

Before you sign a contract, ask the installer to show you on a sketch exactly where each fence segment falls relative to both the Fence By-law's 3 m triangle and zoning's 6 m triangle, and what height they are quoting for each segment.