Uk boundary law is very clear on the fence height for front gardens. If your front garden is next to a footpath or public road then it’s limited to 1 metre.
If you want to have a higher fence or wall around your front garden then you will need to require planning permission. For anywhere else, the height is 6 feet or 2-meters.
- 1-metre height for front gardens
- Planning permission is needed to build higher
If you want a higher boundary then we suggest you plant some privet and shape it into a fence. There is no law to stop you from planting a higher boundary, just make sure they do not get out of control.
Other options would be conifers or other tall and bushy shrubs or plants.
Planning Permission For A Higher Front Garden Fence
If planting bushes is not for you then you will need to gain planning permission from the county council.
For a higher fence in the front garden to be above 1 metre then you will need to submit an application.
The application will be sent to your neighbours and generally posted on lampposts for anyone affected to see.
If a neighbour disputes the planning application then it will likely be denied and you will have to stick with the smaller fence.
Hi I live up an unadopted road, I have a standing gravel area outside the front of my property which I would like to fence off. As it’s a private road owned by the occupants up the road, is there a height restriction for a fence? People drive across/turn around/park on my gravel without permission which is another reason for wanting it fenced. Thanks
Hey Angie,
Yes, you can fence it off at 1 metre, I would double-check with your local council just in case. Maybe also check out your neighbours in the area to see if they have erected a fence.
Hope this helps
Hi I live up an unadopted road, I have a standing gravel area outside the front of my property which I would like to fence off. As it’s a private road owned by the occupants up the road, is there a height restriction for a fence? People drive across/turn around/park on my gravel without permission which is another reason for wanting it fenced. Thanks
Hey Angie,
Yes, you can fence it off at 1 metre, I would double-check with your local council just in case. Maybe also check out your neighbours in the area to see if they have erected a fence.
Hope this helps
Hi HAVE NIEGHBOURS PUT A FENCE WITH POST AND PANELS AND WE ARE NOW LEFT THE SOIL COMMING OUT AT THE BOTTOM BECAUSE THE BASE PANELS ARE NOT DOWN ENOUGH WE LEFT WITH PROBLEM BECAUSE THAY DON’T WANT TO KNOW
Wish we could add pics to show you
Hi HAVE NIEGHBOURS PUT A FENCE WITH POST AND PANELS AND WE ARE NOW LEFT THE SOIL COMMING OUT AT THE BOTTOM BECAUSE THE BASE PANELS ARE NOT DOWN ENOUGH WE LEFT WITH PROBLEM BECAUSE THAY DON’T WANT TO KNOW
Wish we could add pics to show you
My neighbour has just erected a fence sr the front of the houses 6 ft high without my permission and this plunges my front garden into shade i can no longer see oncoming pedestrian cars etc mounting the curb on the path the other side if this fence potentially i could get run over or if the car can’t see me approaching the end of my garden path either. The back garden he’s delightfully added onto the six foot fence another four foot. Thus cutting light onto my patio.
My neighbour has just erected a fence sr the front of the houses 6 ft high without my permission and this plunges my front garden into shade i can no longer see oncoming pedestrian cars etc mounting the curb on the path the other side if this fence potentially i could get run over or if the car can’t see me approaching the end of my garden path either. The back garden he’s delightfully added onto the six foot fence another four foot. Thus cutting light onto my patio.
My neighbour’s extension and wooden out building are over 10 ft high and cover half of my garden can I with my neighbour’s ok
Match the height with trellis for the rest of my garden
My neighbour’s extension and wooden out building are over 10 ft high and cover half of my garden can I with my neighbour’s ok
Match the height with trellis for the rest of my garden
Is the 1 metre in relation to the pavement outside the garden or the height of the ground in the garden?
My house is on a hill but the front garden is level meaning that if the fence is 1 metre in relation to the pavement it will be 1 metre high at the driveway entrance but further along, it will be 1 metre high in relation to the pavement but only a dew inches high in relation to the garden.
Any ideas?
Is the 1 metre in relation to the pavement outside the garden or the height of the ground in the garden?
My house is on a hill but the front garden is level meaning that if the fence is 1 metre in relation to the pavement it will be 1 metre high at the driveway entrance but further along, it will be 1 metre high in relation to the pavement but only a dew inches high in relation to the garden.
Any ideas?
Background: Am interested in blocking traffic noise from road into garden.
I’m aware that hedges need no permission, regardless of height, while a 2m fence that ‘fronts a highway’ would do.
What if there was a hedge just between the 2m fence and the highway? Could it be said to no longer count as ‘fronting the highway’ and therefore not need permission?
If this loophole does exist, would the hedge need to be at least as tall as the fence for it to apply (ie so the fence wouldn’t be visible from pavement)?