How high can a fence be without council approval? Limits by state
Short answer
Side and rear fences can usually go to 1.8–2 m without approval, but front fences are lower: in NSW, side and rear fences can be up to 1.8 m (1.2 m if masonry) and front fences 1.2 m; in Victoria, side and rear 2 m and front 1.5 m; in Queensland, up to 2 m; in WA, non-masonry side and rear fences up to 1.8 m. Corner blocks, heritage properties and pool fences have extra rules.
Fence height rules split into two groups: front fences (facing the street), which are kept low for sight lines and streetscape, and side and rear fences, which can be taller for privacy.
Limits by state
| State | Side and rear | Front / street frontage | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 1.8 m (1.2 m if masonry) | 1.2 m | Secondary frontages must be partly see-through; not exempt on or next to a heritage item |
| VIC | 2 m | 1.5 m within 3 m of the street | 1 m within 9 m of a corner intersection; masonry front fences over 1.2 m need a permit |
| QLD | 2 m | — | Pool fences excluded |
| WA | 1.8 m (non-masonry, behind the front setback) | Needs a permit | Masonry and pool fences need a permit; councils add front-fence policies |
| SA | Check with your council | Check with your council | We couldn’t confirm SA’s limits from an official source |
NSW corner blocks
In NSW, a fence along a secondary road frontage must be at least 20% see-through above 400 mm, with piers no wider than 350 mm. A solid 1.8 m fence is allowed along the rear half of the secondary frontage. On sloping ground, stepped fences can reach 1.5 m (front) or 2.2 m (side and rear) at the steps.
Dividing fences: the neighbour side
Approval is only half of it. A fence on the boundary is also covered by dividing-fence laws, which decide who pays. In NSW, neighbours generally share the cost of a “sufficient” dividing fence equally under the Dividing Fences Act 1991, and anyone wanting something better pays the difference. Other states have similar laws with their own notice requirements.
- Talk to your neighbour before you start.
- Agree the height, material and cost split in writing.
- Confirm where the boundary actually is — an old fence isn’t always on it.
Before you build
- Check for heritage, bushfire and easement restrictions.
- Never use a boundary fence as a pool barrier without checking the pool-fencing rules.
- On bushfire-prone land in NSW, exempt fences must be non-combustible or hardwood.
For sheds, decks, retaining walls and pergolas, see do you need council approval?
Sources
Every rule on this page is taken from these official sources. If a rule has changed, please tell us and we’ll fix it.
This guide is general information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ between states, councils and individual properties, and they change. Confirm with your state regulator or council before starting work, and if in doubt, get a licensed tradesperson.