Before building a fence or screen, it is important for homeowners and building practitioners to know when a building permit is required.
There are exemptions from having to obtain a building permit for minor building work in the Building Regulations 2006. This is usually the case when constructing a standard 1.8 m high boundary fence.
However, there are a number of situations where a building permit for a fence is required.
These include:
• fences more than 2 m high
• fences more than 1.5 m high that are within 3 m of a street alignment (property boundary)
• masonry or concrete fences more than 1.2 m high that are within 3 m of a street alignment
• masonry or concrete fences more than 1 m high above the footpath that are within 9 m of a point of intersection of street alignment
• barbed wire fences or the like when adjacent to a street alignment
• boundary fences that form part of a swimming pool or spa safety barrier
• swimming pool or spa safety barriers.
For more information about when a building permit is required, refer to Practice Note 32-2014 – When is a building permit required