Split rail fence across a Manotick front yard, allowed?

A split rail fence across a Manotick front yard is allowed under the City of Ottawa Fence By-law, as published on ottawa.ca, as long as it stays at or below 1 m in height. Height is measured from the grade at the base of the fence, or from the higher grade where the ground differs on each side of the fence. A berm does not raise that limit.

Split rail is an open style, and two triangle rules matter on the lot. At the point where your driveway meets the street, the Fence By-law requires that nothing over 75 cm sit within a triangle formed by measuring 2 m along the lot line and 2 m along the driveway edge. On a corner lot, the same 75 cm limit applies within a triangle measured 3 m along each lot line from the corner. If your lot is on a corner, the City of Ottawa's Zoning By-laws (2008-250 and 2026-50) add a second sight-triangle rule: solid obstructions over 0.75 m are not permitted within a triangle measured 6 m along each street lot line from the corner. The zoning rule says a chain link fence or a similar feature that can be seen through is not an obstruction; whether a split rail fence counts as see-through there is a question to confirm with the City before you build.

The Fence By-law also requires that the finished side of the fence face the street and neighbouring properties. Split rail is the same on both sides, so that is straightforward. If your split rail is cedar or treated wood, it falls under the by-law's exception to the coating rule: cedar, redwood and treated wood do not need to be painted or sealed, though the fence must still be kept stable, vertical and in good repair under sections 11 and 12.

No building permit is needed for a residential fence that does not enclose a pool. The fence must still comply with the Fence By-law and zoning.