Hardscaping Contractor in North Vancouver
North Vancouver — both the City and the District — sits on the steepest residential terrain in Metro Vancouver. The entire area slopes from sea level at Burrard Inlet up to the base of Grouse Mountain and Mt. Seymour within just a few kilometres. Nearly every District property has significant grade changes, and rock outcroppings are common. Retaining walls here are not decorative choices — they are structural necessities that make the lot usable. From Edgemont Village and Deep Cove to Lynn Valley and Upper Lonsdale, hardscaping on the North Shore is a specialty discipline.
The City of North Vancouver caps lot coverage at 40% (with principal buildings limited to 30%) and restricts paving, decks, and non-garden structures to just 20% of the lot — the strictest open-site-space rule in our coverage area. The District limits building coverage to 35% and caps front yard paving at 40% for straight-in garages or 60% for side-entry garages. These tight limits mean every square metre of hardscaping must be carefully designed.
The North Shore receives more precipitation than anywhere else in Metro Vancouver — the mountains amplify rainfall significantly. Drainage is the number-one engineering concern on every project. The District's retaining wall rules use a unique 35-degree inward slope envelope that controls stepped wall heights, and the first wall from the base is limited to just 0.91m. We understand these rules because we build on North Shore slopes every week.
Neighbourhoods We Serve
Local Regulations You Should Know
DNV Retaining Walls — 35-Degree Slope Envelope
The District uses a unique mathematical formula for stepped retaining walls. The first wall from the base is limited to 0.91m (3 feet) above the lower of natural or finished grade. Subsequent walls must not exceed 2.44m above grade following a 35-degree inward slope envelope. This is more complex than most cities' simple height-based rules. Building permit required for walls over 1.2m.
Source: Zoning Bylaw 3210, §409(3)
DNV Fence Heights — 2.44m Rear (Tallest in Region)
The District allows 2.44m (8-foot) fences behind the 7.62m front setback line — the tallest standard residential fence in our coverage area. Front fences: 1.83m. Fences on retaining walls are limited to 1.22m above the retaining wall's maximum allowed height. No permit required.
Source: Zoning Bylaw 3210, §409(4)(a)–(b)
CNV 20% Open Site Space Limit
In the City of North Vancouver, paving, decks, and non-garden structures combined cannot exceed 20% of the lot. This is the strictest limit on hardscaping in our coverage area and significantly constrains driveway and patio sizing on already-compact City lots.
Source: Zoning Bylaw 6700, §507(2)
Tree Protection — Species-Based (DNV) and 3:1 Replacement (CNV)
The City protects all trees 20cm+ DBH with a 3:1 replacement ratio and $781.06 ecological compensation fee per tree. The District protects trees by category (location, covenant, species) and always protects Arbutus, Garry Oak, Oregon Ash, Pacific Yew, Western White Pine, and Yellow-cedar regardless of size. Both municipalities can levy $50,000+ fines per tree.
Source: CNV Bylaw 8888; DNV Bylaw 7671
Wood-Burning Fire Pits Prohibited — CNV Allows Permitted Pizza Ovens
Wood-burning fire pits and chimineas are prohibited in both municipalities. Gas/propane CSA-certified appliances are allowed with 1.0m clearance from structures in the City. Uniquely, the City allows outdoor pizza ovens and fireplaces if installed under a municipal building permit — a rare provision in the Lower Mainland.
Source: CNV Bylaw 8852, §5.8; DNV Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw
Permit Fees in North Vancouver
| Permit Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| CNV Building Permit (up to $5,000 value) | $124.99 flat |
| CNV Building Permit ($20,000 value) | ~$353 |
| DNV Building Permit (up to $1,000 value) | $99.80 flat |
| DNV Green Demolition Permit | $290.80 flat |
Fees are approximate and may change. Contact 604-990-4220 for current rates.