Fencing requirements are regulated by the Victorian Fences Act 1968 and the Fences Amendment Act 2014. These acts contain rules about who pays for a dividing fence, the type of fence to be built, notices that neighbours need to give one another and how to resolve disputes that come up in relation to fencing works.
We do not have the authority to intervene in fencing disputes between two privately owned properties unless the fence violates building regulations. Further information on your rights and responsibilities, and how to manage a dispute can be found at the;
Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria
You may need a Planning Permit and/or a Building Permit for the construction of a fence. Please refer to the below tables for further information.
A Planning Permit may be required for fences if your property is in the following overlay/zone. It is recommended you contact the Planning Unit on 03 5461 0610 to determine if a Planning Permit is required.
General Residential Zone (GRZ1); or
Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ1); or
Township Zone (TZ)
A permit is required to construct or extend a front fence within 3 metres of a street if:
- A lot of less than 300 square metres, or
- A lot of between 300 and 500 square metres if specified in a schedule to this zone, and
- Streets in a Road Zone, Category 1 - 2 metres
- Other streets - 1.5 metres
A permit is required to construct a fence, other than:
For the purpose of this clause a post and wire fences includes wire strands, wire mesh (‘ringlock’), chainmesh and similar open rural style fencing.
A Building Permit is required for fences where the proposed fence is above the allowable height. The below table indicates if a building permit is required. Please refer to the example at the end of this page for fence heights.
FENCE
DESCRIPTION
MAXIMUM HEIGHT WITH NO PERMIT
BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRED
Corner fence
Construction of a fence over 1m in height and within 9m of a point of intersection of street alignments
1 metre
Corner fence over 1 metre
Front fence (Declared Road)
Construction of front fence on a declared road over 2m in height
2 metres
Front fence (Declared Road) over 2 metres
Front fence (Light Weight - Picket, Colorbond, Etc.)
Construction of fence over 1.5m in height when within 3m ofa street alignment and which is not constructed of masonry, concrete or similar material
1.5 metres
Front fence (lightweight) over 1.5 metres
Front fence (Solid - Brick, Concrete, Etc.)
Construction of fence over1.2m in height when within 3m of a street alignment and which is constructed of masonry, concrete or similar material
1.2 metres
Front fence (solid) over 1.2 metres
Side or RearBoundary Fence (over 2m)
Construction of a side or boundary fence more than 2m high
Boundary fence over 2 metres
Barb Wire Fence
A fence adjacent to a street alignment or public open space must not contain barb wire or other sharp protrusions unless
Must meet requirements of Front, Corner, Boundary fences
Tennis court fence
Construction of a chain wire tennis court fence
No, if contained within the property boundary
Usually the cost of the fence is divided equally between the adjoining neighbours. A Notice to Fence is a legal document that can be issued by you or a fencing contractor to your neighbour asking them to share the cost or repairs of fencing.
Council may contribute half of the cost of the construction and replacement of a standard fence abutting Council-owned properties (e.g. recreation reserves, parks, and other buildings).
Council must be provided with three written quotes and their approval must be obtained prior to any repair and/or replacement of fences. Council will not consider contribution after works are commenced or completed.
Half cost fencing is not available when: