Fencing rules in Glen Eira

You might need a building or planning permit, depending on the type of fence, location, height and materials

To check if you need a permit, visit the Victorian Building Authority website.

Type of fences

Boundary fencing (side and rear)

You don’t need a permit if your fence is:

• up to 1.5 metres high within the first 3 metres from the street
• up to 2 metres high beyond the first 3 metres

If your fence is over 2 metres high, you may need a permit. Send a sketch of your proposed fence to our Building Compliance team at mail@gleneira.vic.gov.au and they will advise if you need a permit.

Front fences

A front fence is within 3 metres of the street at the front of your property.

You need a building permit if your front fence is:

• made of brick, stone, or masonry and over 1.2 metres high
• made of timber or steel and over 1.5 metres high

If your property faces a declared road — freeway or major road — you need Council consent for fences over 2 metres. Contact us to check if your road is declared.

Note: Fence height is measured from the footpath level.

Corner fences

Corner fences are within 9 metres of a street intersection.

• Maximum height: 1 metre
• Anything taller needs Council consent and a building permit

Other things to remember

• Gates, screens and roller doors are included in the fencing provisions
• Please ensure that you fence and guard any excavations during construction

Shared fences with Council

If your property shares a fence with council land — like a park, maternal and child health centre, or car park — you might be able to split the cost with the council.

What you need to do

• If you're replacing a fence next to council land, you need to get at least one quote (preferably two) from fencing contractors.
• Contact our Service Centre on 9524 3333 or email mail@gleneira.vic.gov.au so we can review your request.
• Fences should be timber paling and 1.9 metres high.

When will we help pay

We will pay half the cost (50/50) if your property borders:

• Council buildings
• Parks
• Reserves

And you have a standard fence height (1.9m) with basic repairs or replacements.

If you want extras like a taller fence, lattice, or a gate, you’ll need to pay for those yourself.

When won't we pay

We won’t contribute to fence costs if your property borders:

• Road reserves
• Laneways
• Walkways
• Rights of way

We don't support adding new gates in fences next to parks or council-owned land.

Shared fences with your neighbour 

The Fences Act 1968 states that people sharing a boundary should share the cost of building and maintaining fencing.

Except when one party wants a special fence — a higher fence — for which they must pay the extra amount.

You should speak to the owner of your neighbouring property before you start building. If you don’t have their contact details and you want to serve them with a Fencing Notice, apply online or print out the form.

Fencing disputes

If you and your neighbour can’t agree on the cost of your new fence, contact the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria. You can also get information on the Centre’s fencing page.

If you have a dispute over the construction of a new fence or the maintenance of an existing fence we suggest that you contact a community legal centre or a solicitor.

For enquiries and advice on boundary fences and disputes, visit the Victorian Department of Justice Dispute Settlement Centre website.

Swimming pool and spa fences

You always need a building permit for swimming pool fences or alterations. All fencing must also:

• be a minimum height of 1.2 metres.
• meet the specific requirements of the Australian Standard 1926.1-2012 and National Construction Code, Volume 2.

For more information, visit our Swimming pool fences page.