Fencing sounds like the last thing that should need paperwork, yet plenty of Perth projects hit a snag over a height limit, a permit or a boundary dispute that could have been avoided. The rules come from a few places at once and shift from one local council to the next, which is where the confusion starts. We build fences across Perth every week and work within these regulations daily, so we have pulled the important ones into plain English: how high you can go, when you need council approval, who pays for a shared fence, and where to check your own council. Treat this as a practical guide rather than legal advice, and always confirm the detail with your local council before construction.
Who Sets The Fencing Rules In Perth?
Three layers of rules govern any fencing project in Western Australia, and they overlap.
First, the Residential Design Codes, better known as the R-Codes, set the state-wide planning standards for fence heights and permeability on residential blocks.
Second, the Dividing Fences Act 1961 covers who pays when a fence separates two properties.
Third, and most important for your build, each local government applies its own fencing local law and local planning scheme, which can tighten the standard rules.
One extra layer trips people up in newer suburbs: private estate covenants and design guidelines can restrict fence colours, materials and heights well beyond anything the council asks, so check your land title and estate pack too.
Side And Rear Boundary Fence Heights
For side and rear boundaries, the standard dividing fence in Perth can be built up to 1.8 metres from natural ground level without a building permit. That covers the vast majority of Colorbond and timber fences we install on residential properties. Both are accepted as a sufficient fence on most residential properties, so material is rarely the sticking point. Height and the neighbour’s agreement usually are. Want to go higher? Boundary fences up to 2.4 metres are often possible, but they need council approval, and heavy masonry or extra height triggers permit requirements. Because height is measured from natural ground level, a fence that reads 1.8 metres on the high side of a sloping block can sit taller on the low side.
Front Fence Heights And Setback Rules
Front fences follow stricter rules, mostly to keep sight lines clear and streetscapes open. A solid front fence is generally capped at 1.2 metres. You can often go higher, up to around 1.8 metres, but the portion above 1.2 metres must be visually permeable, meaning see-through infill panels, slats or pickets rather than continuous solid sheeting. Masonry fences like brick or limestone taller than 0.75 metres usually need a building permit, and your fence cannot extend past the property boundary onto the verge. On corner blocks and near driveways, expect tighter height restrictions, often 0.75 metres within 1.5 metres of a vehicle access point or the secondary street truncation, so drivers can see.
Pool Fencing Rules
Pool fencing is non-negotiable and sits under its own safety standard, AS1926.1. Any pool or spa fence must be at least 1.2 metres high, with vertical gaps no wider than 100 millimetres so a child cannot squeeze through, and a non-climbable zone kept clear of footholds. Gates have to open outward, self-close and self-latch every single time. Local councils inspect and enforce these rules, and they apply no matter what your boundary or front fence heights are. If your fence doubles as a pool barrier, we build it to comply from the first post, because this is the one area where getting it wrong is genuinely dangerous.
Fences On Retaining Walls
Things get more involved when a fence sits on top of a retaining wall, which is common on Perth’s sloping and limestone blocks. Councils assess fences and retaining walls together, and the combined height from natural ground level is what counts, not the fence alone. A proposed retaining wall over a set height, or a fence-and-wall combination, will usually need a building permit and engineering. For anything structural we bring in a structural engineer and lodge the building permit application properly, so the finished job is safe, compliant and signed off, rather than a problem waiting for the next inspection or property sale.
When Do You Need Council Approval Or A Building Permit?
Most standard fences do not need a permit, but several situations do. As a rule of thumb, you will generally need council approval or a building permit for:
- Any fence over 1.8 metres, and boundary fences up to 2.4 metres
- Masonry or brick front fences over 0.75 metres
- Structures taller than 2.1 metres
- Fences on or combined with retaining walls
- Anything in a heritage area or covered by a specific local planning policy
It helps to know that a building permit and planning approval are two different things. A permit certifies the structure is sound, while planning approval signs off on how it looks and where it sits, and a higher or masonry fence can need both. Because each local council’s planning department runs its own rules, the safest move before construction is a quick call to confirm. We handle these permit requirements for our clients as part of the fencing project.
Who Pays For A Shared Dividing Fence?
When a dividing fence separates two properties, the Dividing Fences Act 1961 generally splits the cost equally, so each adjoining owner pays at least one half of a sufficient dividing fence along the common boundary. Before work starts, you provide written notice to your neighbour setting out the proposed fence, materials and cost, ideally with a couple of quotes. If they want something grander than a sufficient fence, they cover the difference. Where neighbours cannot agree, a dividing fence matter can go to the Magistrates Court, though most disputes settle long before that. A quick land title search confirms the true boundary line first, which heads off a lot of fencing issues.
Fencing Rules By Perth Council
Because every local government tweaks the standard rules, always check the page for your specific council. Here are the fencing and retaining wall pages for some of the major Perth councils:
- City of Stirling: street walls and fences information
- City of Melville: building a fence or retaining wall
- City of Gosnells: dividing fences, residential
- Town of Victoria Park: dividing fences
If yours is not listed, such as the City of Joondalup, City of Canning or City of Wanneroo, a search for your council name plus “fencing local law” will bring up its planning policy. Not sure which rules apply to your block? We deal with these councils constantly and can point you the right way.
Our Recent Fencing Work In Perth
Getting heights, boundaries and compliance right is half the job. A few recent projects built to the rules:
AS1926-Compliant Pool Barrier: We built this perforated aluminium pool fence to the letter of AS1926, with no climbable ledges and correct clearances, the kind of compliance councils inspect closely.
Boundary And Retaining Done By The Book: A boundary fence carried on engineered Allywall retaining meant getting the heights and approvals right where the fence and wall combine, not just the fence alone.
A Tall Perimeter Within The Rules: This full-height garrison perimeter was set out to respect height limits and sightlines while still enclosing the property securely on every side.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fencing rule questions Perth homeowners ask us most:
How High Can A Boundary Fence Be In Perth?
A standard side or rear dividing fence can be up to 1.8 metres from natural ground level without a permit. Up to 2.4 metres is often possible with council approval.
Do You Need Council Approval For A Fence In WA?
Not for most standard fences up to 1.8 metres. You will need council approval or a building permit for higher fences, masonry front fences over 0.75 metres, or fences on retaining walls.
How High Can A Front Fence Be?
A solid front fence is capped at 1.2 metres. You can go up to around 1.8 metres if the section above 1.2 metres is visually permeable, and stricter limits apply on corner blocks.
Who Pays For A Dividing Fence?
Under the Dividing Fences Act 1961, adjoining owners generally split the cost equally for a sufficient dividing fence. Serve written notice with quotes before starting, and any upgrade is paid by whoever wants it.
Are Pool Fences Covered By Different Rules?
Yes. Pool fences must meet AS1926.1: at least 1.2 metres high, gaps under 100 millimetres, and self-closing, self-latching gates. Councils inspect these separately from your boundary fence.
Build It Right The First Time
Perth’s fencing rules are not as daunting as they look once you know which height applies, when a permit is needed and how the Dividing Fences Act splits the cost. Get it right and your fence goes up smoothly, keeps the neighbours onside and never becomes a headache when you sell. Get it wrong and you risk a knock-back or a costly rebuild. Because the detail varies by council, the smartest first step is a chat with a team who works within these regulations every day. Get in touch today for advice on your fencing project and a free, no-obligation quote, and we will make sure it is compliant from the first post to the last.
With years of hands-on experience in the fencing industry, Niels founded FencrGatr with a mission to deliver premium fencing solutions backed by excptional service across Perth.
