The State Government regulates boundary fencing.
The Fences Act 1968 contains rules about:
- who pays for a dividing fence
- the type of fence that can built
- notices that neighbours need to give one another
- how to resolve potential disputes when discussing fencing works with a neighbour.
If you have questions about boundary fences refer to the Disputes Settlement Centre of Victoria website.
Council is not the regulator for boundary fencing. However, you will need a planning permit if certain overlays apply to your property (e.g. Significant landscape overlay, Erosion Management Overlay, Heritage Overlay or Land Subject to Inundation Overlay etc).
Fencing on sites within the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 1-6 may need a planning permits for a fence which is not post and wire and more than 1.80 metres in height.
Find out if you need a planning permit with our online planning tool.
Depending on the type of fence you are proposing to build, you may also need a building permit. Find out more about building permits for fences.