Fences

Dividing Fences

Fences between you and another landowner are shared property, and are controlled by the Dividing Fences Act 1961, which is administered by Building and Energy

Front Fences

Fences in front of your house, including the side boundary if you are on a corner lot, are considered under the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) and the Building Act 2011.

Refer to our Planning information sheet for fences

The R-Codes require front fences to maintain connectivity to the street, by permitting good surveillance and enhancing the visual amenity of the area. A fence that allows a visual connection to your neighbourhood, is far more secure that a solid, high fence.

Front fences may be solid up to 1.2m high, and visually permeable above 1.2m (up to 1.8m) measured from natural ground level on the street side of the fence.

Building Permit

As we are in a cyclonic region, our fences need to be built to cyclone standard (region C). If your fence is subject to wind load (i.e. solid) then you will need a permit prior to starting work.

Use our information sheets and Checklist,(PDF, 520KB) to see what you need to provide with your application.