If you’re planning to put up a new fence, or replace an existing one, it’s wise to check the law first. Height rules differ depending on where your fence is, what it borders, and in some cases, what your local council permits. Here’s your complete guide to garden fence height in the UK, legal limits, planning permission, and helpful tips .
1. Legal Framework: What Do the Laws Say?
In England (and similarly in Wales & parts of the UK), the relevant regulation is the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, which includes “permitted development rights” for boundary structures (fences, walls, gates)
Under these rules:
- If your fence is next to a highway used by vehicles (or a footpath of such a highway), the maximum height without planning permission is 1 metre from ground level.
- Elsewhere (i.e. rear/side boundary, not next to a highway), you can have up to 2 metres without planning permission.
Also:
- If an existing fence, wall or gate already exceeds these limits, you must not increase its height without permission.
- If your property is a listed building, or lies in a conservation area, national park, or area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), additional restrictions may apply.
2. What This Means in Practice: Front vs Back Fences
| Location / Situation | Height Limit Without Planning Permission | What to Check / Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Front garden or boundary next to a road/highway or footpath | 1 metre (≈ 3′3″) from your side ground level | Be sure to check if your boundary is indeed classed as “highway-adjacent” or “front garden”. Even if it’s not right by a road, certain estates or covenants might have stricter rules. |
| Rear / side garden boundaries (not road/footpath facing) | 2 metres (≈ 6′6″) without planning permission | Be aware: adding trellis or decorative topping that pushes above 2 m usually requires permission. Also, slope of land (yours vs neighbour’s) can affect measurement. |
| Existing fences over the limit | You can maintain or repair them, but cannot increase their height above what’s already there without permission. |
3. Why These Rules Exist
- Safety & visibility: Fences taller than 1 metre next to a road or pavement can obscure sightlines for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
- Neighbourliness & light: Very tall boundary fences may block natural light into neighbours’ gardens or living spaces; rules aim to balance privacy with avoiding unreasonable obstruction.
- Planning fairness & visual amenity: Especially in conservation areas or listed properties, controlling appearance, materials and height helps preserve local character.
4. Planning Permission: When You Need It
You will need planning permission in cases where:
- Your proposed fence would exceed 2 metres (rear/side) or 1 metre (front / road/footpath boundary) without allowed development rights.
- Any part of your property is listed, or within a conservation area, AONB etc.
- Your fence includes a trellis or structure that causes you to exceed the height limit.
If you go ahead without permission when it’s required, the council could make you reduce or remove the fence, issue enforcement notices, or impose fines.
5. Measuring Height: Key Details
To stay within the law, you must measure height from the ground level on your side of the fence. Why? Because slopes, steps, or different ground levels can mean that what seems within limit on one side is over on the other.
Also, any attachments or “toppers” (trellis, lattice, decorative features) that are integral or fixed may count toward overall height. If these push you over the limit, planning permission might be needed.
6. Consequences of Breaking the Rules
- You may be ordered by the local authority to reduce the height or remove the fence.
- There may be fines or penalties, especially if you ignore enforcement notices.
- Possible neighbour disputes. Even if all legal permissions are in place, a tall fence that causes loss of light, or is seen as a nuisance, can lead to complaints or mediation.
7. Design Tips & Alternatives
If your desired fence height exceeds what’s allowed, or you’re worried about disputes or visibility, here are some ideas:
- Use trellis on top of a full-height fence to add interest/height but still stay within permitted limits. Be careful though: fixed trellising adding to a fence over 2 m generally needs permission.
- Use plants / hedges along the fence line: not constrained in the same way legally as rigid fencing, although extremely tall hedges may lead to complaints under nuisance legislation.
- Choose materials and fence styles that reduce visual bulk (e.g. gaps, slats) to improve neighbour relations.
- If you must have more height for privacy or other reasons, consult your local council early to see if you can apply for planning permission.
8. Check list to put up a fence
- Check where your fence will be: front garden vs back/side; whether it borders a road or highway.
- Measure the ground level on your side and plan for any trellises or attachments.
- Look up your property’s status: Is it listed? Is it in a conservation area? Are there local planning conditions or covenant restrictions?
- If your planned fence exceeds the permitted height (1 m road boundary, 2 m elsewhere), apply for planning permission in advance. Don’t assume you can do it and ask forgiveness later.
- Keep neighbours informed — often helpful in avoiding disputes.
9. Key Take-Home Points
- Maximum without planning permission: 2 metres for most back / side garden boundaries; 1 metre for front boundaries where they border roads/highways or footpaths.
- Any fence already over these limits can be maintained but not increased without permission.
- Extra restrictions apply in conservation areas, listed properties, or under local bylaws/covenants.
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