VANCOUVER SPECIAL RENOVATION UPDATE | BUILDING FENCES

With spring being in full swing, Gary has been continuing with renovations on his Vancouver Special, which was originally built in 1966.  He recently just finished putting up a cedar fence along his property line, which was done in mid-century modern design.  With a lot of work still ahead of him, Gary is giving you a quick update this week on his renovation project and sharing some important tips that’ll be helpful if you are planning on building a fence! 

Fencing Guidelines 

Fencing is great for many reasons, especially when it comes to privacy.  Even though building a fence doesn’t usually require a building permit, there are still a lot of guidelines that need to be followed based on the City of Vancouver’s specifications.

Fences need to be built within your property lines to avoid a permit.  If you aren’t clear about where your property lines are then you need to get a Survey done.  This can be done by many local companies and can cost up to $1000.  Doing this will get you an exact schematic of your property, letting you know where your property lines are so there won’t be any issues with the city or going onto your neighbours’ property.

There are also maximum fence heights that are allowed on your property.  A maximum of 4’0” is the height allowed in the front yard, and in your side and rear yards your fences cannot exceed 6’0”.

For more information on the guidelines for fencing, make sure to visit the City of Vancouver’s website.  

What’s The Next Step?

With the fence being built and now finished, there are still a few things that Gary wants to add for finishing touches.  Landscaping will be one be one of them.  Beautiful cedars up to 8 ft. tall will be placed along his fence.  He is also planning on staining the wood in a natural colour to maintain the natural look of the cedar, which will be done once the weather gets warmer.  A partial wall is also in the works for the carport, where treated cedar is currently standing in place for the time being, in order to gain more privacy.

Make sure you stay tuned for more updates as we continue following Gary’s journey, as he takes steps towards fulfilling his lifelong dream of owning a Vancouver Special and making it truly feel like home!  If you are interested in working with our team to find your perfect home, connect with us for a free consultation!