Build or replace a front fence

Are you replacing or building an entire front fence or repairing a small piece of fence to keep the structure in good condition?

For example, replacing some damaged pickets is considered routine repair and maintenance.

However, if you are replacing any structural elements of the fence, such as posts or footings, then you may need a Building Permit.

Is the work routine repair or maintenance?

• If yes, you do not need to apply for a permit. You can go ahead and repair your fence.
• If no, go to the next step.

Check your property on the VicPlan website to see if it has planning conditions (overlays), such as a:

• Heritage Overlay
• Environmental Significance Overlay
• Significant Landscape Overlay.

Heritage Overlay

You need a Planning Permit to demolish an existing fence and build a new fence. This applies for any property zoned residential or commercial.

If the property is on the Victorian Heritage Register you may also need approval from Heritage Victoria for any buildings and works. Contact Heritage Victoria for advice on how to apply for approval.

Environmental Significance Overlay

You need a Planning Permit unless the fence is post and wire or post and rail. That’s because these types of fences do not obscure the view.

Significant Landscape Overlay

If the fence will be within 30 m of the banks of the Yarra River, or next to a public open space, you need a Planning Permit unless the fence is:

• no higher than 1.4 m at any point above ground level and
• built with timber post and rail, timber post and wire or metal post and wire.

Do you have any conditions that need a Planning Permit?

• If yes, apply for a Planning Permit then go to Step 4.
• If no, go to the next step.

If your property is in a commercial zone, go to Step 4.

If your property is residential, calculate the area of your property using its boundary dimensions (multiply the length of your property by the width).

You can find boundary dimensions in the Certificate of Title for your property. If you don’t have this document, you can order it on the Landata website for a small fee.

Check if the:

• area is under 300 square metres
• land has 2 or more dwellings on it
• fence will be on common property.

If any of the above applies, you need a Planning Permit if the fence height will be more than:

• 2 m and your property is on a declared road (main traffic road managed by VicRoads e.g. Burke Road, Camberwell). Contact us or VicRoads if you’re not sure if your property is on a declared road. 
• 1.5 m on any other road.

Do you have any other conditions that need a Planning Permit?

• If yes, apply for a Planning Permit then go to the next step 
• If no, go to the next step

You need a Building Permit if any of these apply:

• The structure of the existing fence is being altered (including underpinning or replacement of footings or alterations to any structural elements, such as posts or brick piers) and 
  • it's a brick fence higher than 1.2m or
  • it's a fence made of lightweight materials that's higher than 1.5m.
• The fence will be built on a corner property within 9 m of the intersection of streets or laneways and the fence height will be more than 1 m above footpath level.
• The fence will be built of masonry (for example, built of bricks, stone or concrete) and the fence height will be more than 1.2 m above natural ground level.
• The fence will not be built of masonry (for example, built of timber or metal) and the fence height will be more than 1.5 m above natural ground level.
• The fence will form part of a pool or spa safety barrier.
• The fence will form part of an outdoor play space for a children’s service (for a definition of children's service refer to the Children's Act 1996).

Do you have any of these requirements that need a Building Permit?

• If yes, apply for a Building Permit then go to Step 6. 
• If no, go to the next step.

If you had to apply for a Building Permit in Step 4, your Building Surveyor will advise if you need to make a Report and Consent Application.

The requirements differ depending on whether the front fence is part of a corner property. On corner properties, the height and location of the fence may obstruct the view of traffic approaching the intersection.

If your front fence is not on a corner 

You need to make a Report and Consent Application if any part of the front fence is within 3 m of your front boundary and the fence height will be more than:

• 2 m and your property is on a declared road (main traffic road managed by VicRoads, e.g. Burke Road, Camberwell). Contact us or VicRoads if you’re not sure if your property is on a declared road. 
• 1.5 m on any other road.

If your front fence is on a corner property

You need to make a Report and Consent Application if all of these apply:

• The property is on a street corner (not including a lane, footway, alley or right of way).
• The fence will be within 9 m of the corner of the property (the corner of your front and side boundaries). Refer to Section 1 on the diagram below.
• The fence height will be more than 1 m above footpath level.  

You also need to make a Report and Consent Application if any part of the front fence that’s not within 9 m of the corner of the property (Section 2 on the diagram below) is within 3 m of your front boundary and the fence height is more than:

• 2 m and your property is on a declared road (main traffic road managed by VicRoads, e.g. Burke Road, Camberwell). Contact us or VicRoads if you’re not sure if your property is on a declared road. 
• 1.5 m on any other road.

Do you need to make a Report and Consent Application?

• If yes, make a Report and Consent Application then go to the next step.
• If no, go to the next step. 
   

You may need other permits, depending on your situation.

If you need to:

• remove, prune or do works within 2 m of a canopy or significant tree during your fence works, apply for a Tree Works Permit 
• store equipment on a road, footpath or nature strip, apply for a Road or Footpath Occupancy Permit. 

If your works could impact:

• driveway access to your property, apply for a Vehicle Crossing Permit 
• public assets, such as roads, footpath or nature strip, apply for an Asset Protection Permit.

You can begin construction:

• after all your permits or permissions have been issued
• if your situation does not require any permits or permissions.