Check if the work is routine repair and maintenance

Consider whether you will be replacing or building an entire front fence, or whether you will be repairing a small piece of fencing material to keep the structure in good condition.

For example, replacing some damaged pickets is regarded as routine repair and maintenance.

If you are unsure whether your works are considered routine repair and maintenance, contact Statutory Planning.

Is the work routine repair and maintenance?

• If yes, you do not need to apply for a Planning Permit. See whether you need a Building Permit.
• If no, go to the next step.

Check if the fence will be built in a Heritage overlay

1. Go to VicPlan and search for the address of your property.

2. Follow the prompts to create and open a free Planning Property Report.

3. Read the report to see whether the part of the site where you will build the fence is in a Heritage Overlay,

Are you planning to build the fence in a Heritage Overlay?

• If yes, go to the next step.
• If no,  check for an Environmental Significance Overlay.

Check if your property is on the Victorian Heritage Register

1. Refer to the report from VicPlan.
2. Look for the Heritage Overlay Schedule link and take note of the schedule number.
3. Click the Heritage Overlay Schedule link. The Schedule to the Heritage Overlay page appears.
4. Find your schedule number. See whether the 'Included on the Victorian Heritage Register' column displays 'Yes' for your schedule number.

If the property is on the Victorian Heritage Register:

• You may need approval from Heritage Victoria for or any buildings and works including internal changes. Contact Heritage Victoria for advice on how to apply for their approval.
• You may continue to apply for other permits while your Heritage Victoria application is being assessed. But you can only begin construction after all necessary approvals and permits are granted.

Is your property listed on the Victorian Heritage Register?

• If yes, contact Heritage Victoria and apply for their approval. Then check for an Environmental Significance Overlay.
• If no, apply for a Planning Permit.

Check if the fence will be built in an Environmental Significance Overlay

Refer to the map from VicPlan to see whether the land on which you plan to build the fence is in an Environmental Significance Overlay.

If so, consider the materials out of which the fence will be built. Unless the fence is post and wire, you will need Planning permission.

Are you planning to build a fence in an Environmental Significance Overlay out of materials other than post and wire?

• If yes, apply for a Planning Permit.
• If no, go to the next step.

Check if the fence will be built in a Land Subject to Inundation Overlay

Refer to the map from VicPlan to see whether the land on which you plan to build the fence is in Land Subject to Inundation Overlay.

If so, consider the materials out of which the fence will be built. Unless the fence is post and wire, or post and rail, you will need Planning permission.

Are you planning to build a fence in a Land Subject to Inundation Overlay out of materials other than post and wire or post and rail?

• If yes, apply for a Planning Permit. 
• In no, go to the next step.

Check if the fence is on common property or a property with more than one dwelling

Consider whether your front fence will be built either on property with more than one dwelling or a property in a common area.

Are you building a front fence on a property that has multiple dwellings or is in a common area?

• If yes, go to the next step. 
• If no, look at zone information for your property.

Compare declared road status and fence height

Before building a front fence on property that has multiple dwellings or is in a common area, you need to be aware of whether the fence will face a declared road.

1. Go to the VicRoads website.
2. Locate the multi-dwelling or common property on the Map of Declared Roads:

• If the property faces a declared road, you need planning permission to build a front fence that exceeds 2m in height. You also need to apply to VicRoads for a Memorandum of Authorisation.
• If the property does not face a declared road, you need planning permission to build a front fence that exceeds 1.5m in height.

Do I need planning permission to build a fence on a property that has multiple dwellings or is in a common area?

• If yes, apply for a Planning Permit.
• If no  go to the next step.

Check if the property is in a Residential Zone

Look at the report from  VicPlan to see if your property is located n a Residential Zone.

Will your fence be located on a property within a Residential Zone?

• If yes, go to the next step. 
• If no, check for other overlays that may affect your works.

Check the height of a fence in a residential lot under 300sqm

Refer to the Certificate of Title (available from the Landata website) and calculate the area of the lot using the title boundary dimensions.

See whether the area is under 300sqm. If it is, you need planning permission when the height of your fence exceeds:

• 2m on a declared road, as listed on the VicRoads website
• 1.5m anywhere else

Are you building a fence that requires planning permission on a residential lot under 300sqm?

• If yes, apply for a Planning Permit.
• If no, go to the next step.

Check for other overlays that may impact your works

Refer to the map from VicPlan. See whether you are planning to build the fence in any of the following:

• Special Building Overlay
• Significant Landscape Overlay
• Design and Development Overlay Schedule Number 31

If so, contact our Statutory Planning team on 9278 4888 to determine whether you need a Planning Permit for your works.

Are you planning to build a fence in an overlay that requires Planning permission?

• If yes, apply for a Planning Permit.
• If no, you do not need to apply for a Planning Permit. See if you need a Building Permit.

Apply for a Planning Permit, if needed

If you have determined that you need a Planning Permit for your project:

1. Provide a clear copy of your Certificate of Title, including the lot plan. You can get this from the Landata website. The Certificate of Title must be no more than 28 days' old.
2. Write a cover letter explaining your proposal.
3. Prepare a plan drawn to scale (1:100 or 1:200) with full dimensions. The plan must show the site, floor layout and elevations.
4. Complete the Planning Permit application form and lodge the form, fee and supporting documents with Council. 
   To download the form and submit the application, see Apply for a Planning Permit.
   If you need a permit to demolish an existing fence, the Planning Permit application you submit can be for both the demolition of the existing fence and the construction of a new fence.
5. Lodge the form, application fee and supporting documents with Council.
6. Now, check whether you need a Building Permit.

VicSmart eligibility

A Planning Permit application for a front fence is eligible to be assessed as a VicSmart application if your land is affected by any of the following:

• Residential Zone (if associated with one dwelling)
• Environmental Significance Overlay
• Significant Landscape Overlay
• Heritage Overlay
• Design and Development Overlay (including Design and Development Overlay Schedule 31)
• Special Building Overlay (special conditions apply).

Find out more on VicSmart's Permits page.

Application fees

For non-VicSmart applications:

For VicSmart applications:

Could the height and location of the front fence make it a possible obstruction to views of traffic?

• If yes, apply for Report and Consent and a Building Permit.
• If no, go to the next step.

Will your project include masonry fencing that is 1.2m or higher?

• If yes, you will need a Building Permit. See if you also need Report and Consent.
• If no, go to the next step.

Will your project include lightweight fencing that is 1.5m or higher?

• If yes, you will need a Building Permit. See whether you also need Report and Consent.
• If no, you do not need a Building Permit. See whether there are any other permits you need.

Check whether masonry or lightweight fencing requires Report and Consent

The front fence materials and height and the property's declared road status all impact whether you will need Report and Consent for your project.

1. Go to the VicRoads website.
2. Locate your property on the Map of Declared Roads to see whether the front fence will face a declared road.
3. Use the following tables to see whether you need Report and Consent.

For masonry (brick, concrete or stone) fencing:

For lightweight (non-masonry) fencing:

Does your front fence require Report and Consent?

• If yes, apply for Report and Consent and a Building Permit.
• If no, apply for a Building Permit.

Apply for a Building Permit, if needed

1. Download the Building Permit application checklist (below) to determine which supporting documents you need for your circumstances. If you are unsure what you need, contact the Building Services team on (03) 9278 4999 or email Building Services.
2. If relevant, apply for Report and Consent. Contact the Building Services Team if you are unsure whether you need Report and Consent for your project.
3. Complete the Application for a Building Permit.
4. Lodge the Building Permit application form, fee and supporting documents with Council. For fee information, email Building Services.

You may lodge the application for a Building Permit while other permit applications are still being processed, but may only begin construction when all required permits and approvals are granted.

See whether there are any other permits you need for your project.

See whether you need to apply for any other permits

Consider whether you need to apply for other permits for your works.

If you need to:

• remove, prune or do works within 2m of a canopy or significant tree during your fence works, you need to apply for a Tree Works Permit
• store equipment on a road, footpath or naturestrip, you need to apply for a Road or Footpath Occupancy Permit.

If your works could:

• impact the driveway (vehicular crossing) access to your property, you need to apply for a Vehicular Crossing Permit
• impact public assets, such as roads, footpath or naturestrip, you need to apply for an Asset Protection Permit.

After all permits have been granted, you may begin construction.

You may exit the guide.