Fences are essential for keeping your new build private and secure, and a high-quality fence can increase the overall property value. You might also want a dividing fence to keep property boundaries clear between your home and your neighbours or even simply create a safe space for your children or pets to play.
However, before you even think about starting your fencing work, there are some regulations you need to be aware of. Today we’re looking at everything you need to know about fence height regulations in Queensland, so keep reading to learn more!
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What are the requirements for building a fence in QLD?
According to Brisbane City Council, in Queensland, building and planning approvals aren’t generally required for a front, side, or rear boundary fence, as long as your proposed fence is:
- Associated with a dwelling house
- Less than two metres high
- Not used to enclose a swimming pool (pool fences have their own requirements)
- Not part of a retaining wall
- Not restricting water run-off from adjoining properties
If your proposed fence doesn’t meet these requirements, you may need building approval before booking any work to be done. We’ll look more into this later.
When might your fence need building and planning approval?
The guidelines note that you should talk to your local council for advice if your proposal includes:
- Building a new dwelling house on a small lot along with your fence
- Building a multiple-dwelling home
- Building a new dwelling house
- Renovating an existing dwelling house on a site within a neighbourhood plan area or overlay area
Everything you need to know about building approval for your proposed fence
The Building Regulation 2006 notes that you don’t need building approval if your proposed fence is less than two metres high above the natural ground surface. However, you will need building approval for:
- A fence that’s higher than two metres above the natural ground surface
- A regulated pool fence
Most tenants believe that two metres is a reasonable height for their dividing fence, therefore not needing building approval at all. However, if you want more privacy from a taller fence, you will need to get building approval beforehand to make sure you’re within your legal rights.
When building your fence, you’re responsible for overseeing the building work and that it’s completed to applicable standards. This includes its structural sufficiency, fire separation, size limits, and boundary setbacks. It’s highly recommended that you hire a licensed private building certifier to make sure your fence complies with the building assessment provisions to prevent fines or penalties from being served to you in the future.
What about neighbourhood disputes?
While you’re often well within your rights to build a fence on your property, neighbours might not always be happy with the change. The Queensland government regulates fencing, along with disputes between neighbours, which is outlined in the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011. This includes disputes about fences that are on adjoining land and can even help you get a monetary contribution from your neighbour.
We would strongly advise you to talk to your neighbours before building your fence to make sure you’re all on the same page about what’s going to happen and why. This can often resolve disputes before they even begin and keep your neighbours happy about being included in the decision. If you find that your neighbour isn’t happy about your fencing work, the Queensland government also has a number of guides you can use to resolve fence, tree, and building disputes.
How do I make sure that my fence is compliant?
Most fences are compliant with Queensland’s regulations, as most are considered self assessable, accepted development. However, if you’re constructing a new build, chances are you already have a building certifier or contractor hired to oversee everything you’re doing. We would highly recommend enlisting them to oversee the fencing work, too, as they will be able to help you make sure the fence is compliant with the local requirements.
When constructing a new build, you’ll need to get building approval and planning permission beforehand. We recommend including the plans for your fence in this proposal to make sure it’s approved before starting on any work, as this can get two jobs done at once and give you reassurance that the fence is allowed. If you’ve already begun work on your new build but haven’t included the fence in your initial approved plans, talk to your certifier for advice. They may reassure you that your proposed fence doesn’t need approval, or they can help you apply for a second round of approval.
Are there any exemptions to the fencing regulations?
It’s extremely important to know what your fence is for before starting work on it. While most fences are considered accepted development, which means you don’t need approval for it, pool fences come with a completely new set of rules.
Swimming pool fences
In Queensland, pool safety laws apply to all pools – including privately owned ones. Pool fences must be:
- At least 1200 mm in height
- No more than 100 mm from the bottom of the fence to the ground
- Built on solid and stable grounding
You’ll need a licensed pool safety inspector to come and see your pool to make sure it meets the necessary safety standards. This gives you reassurance that your pool is up to scratch and safe for use, especially around children and pets.
According to the Queensland government, you will need building approval for a regulated pool fence.
Check out our article on pool fencing regulations in QLD for more information on this.
Neighbourhood plan or overlay areas
Brisbane City Council creates neighbourhood plans to get input from residents and business owners about topics such as local environments, social and economic factors, management of population growth, and more. These plans can include standards for new developments, including things like fences. If your property is in a neighbourhood plan area, you will need to talk to your local council before planning your fencing work.
Similarly, an overlay area includes unique characteristics of a property, such as Queensland government interests and local circumstances relevant to development approvals. Overlays identify areas that are:
- Sensitive to the effects of development
- Constrain land or development
- Are subject to valuable resources
- Present opportunities for development
If your property is in an overlay, you’ll need to talk to your local council to make sure your fence is approved before any work begins. As long as the fence is below two metres high, there often isn’t an issue, but you still need to get approval.
What are the consequences of not following the fencing regulations?
If you build a fence that doesn’t abide by the regulations without building approval, you could be served a fine of up to $2000. You might even be asked to remove the fence and replace it with one that abides by the regulations, all of which will have to be funded by you. While most fences are considered accepted development, the risk of these consequences is why it’s so important to make sure your fencing plans abide by the regulations beforehand.
How much will fencing cost in QLD?
The price of your fence will depend on a number of things, with the overall cost often ranging from $40 to $1200 per metre. Here are a few things that will affect the cost of your fence in Queensland:
- Materials: PVC or pine timber are more budget-friendly options, while materials like Colorbond, glass, and metal are more expensive
- Labour and installation: Whether you’re planning on building your fence yourself or hiring a professional will greatly influence the price of your fence
- Fence height: The standard heights for fences include 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, and 2.1 metres, and the higher your fence, the higher the overall cost
- Soil type and terrain difficulty: If your property needs lots of landscaping and preparation work before installation, you can expect to have to pay extra on top of the fixed rate for your fence
If you need building approval for your fence, you might also need to pay extra fees for development assessment. You’ll also need to hire a private building certifier to oversee the work, so make sure you factor these things into the price of your fence.
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