Fence Repair

Ottawa's Fence By-law and its Property Standards By-law both say a fence must be kept in good repair, stable, vertical and free from accident hazards. A leaning section, a broken run of boards or a gate that drags is the kind of thing a repair fixes.

A repair keeps an existing fence in use. Replacement is different: the by-law's definition of erecting a fence includes altering, constructing and relocating it, and the City's guide says to check property lines before installing a new fence or replacing an old one. A fence that was lawfully built before the by-law took effect in 2004 may stay in use and be maintained. Because erecting includes altering, ask By-law Services before rebuilding one that is over today's limits.

Resetting a post means digging, and Ontario's locate law applies to anyone who digs, no matter the size or depth of the hole. Locates are free, and the utilities have five business days to respond.

Shared fences on a property line raise the question of who pays. Talk to your neighbour first. Ontario's Line Fences Act has a process for sharing the cost of a boundary fence, and Ottawa appoints fence-viewers under it.

There are too few published Ontario repair prices to quote a range. Ask what the visit covers and whether posts are priced separately from boards.