Can I Put Up a Fence Without Planning Permission?
Usually, yes — fences, walls, and gates are permitted development under Part 2, Class A of the GPDO 2015 if:
The fence or wall is no more than 2 metres high, or if it is next to a highway used by vehicles, it is no more than 1 metre high. These limits apply to the total height — including any trellis on top of a solid fence panel.
Last updated: April 2026
The key rules
| Location | Maximum height |
|---|---|
| Rear and side garden (not adjacent to a highway) | 2 metres |
| Adjacent to a highway used by vehicles | 1 metre |
| Adjacent to a public footpath (not a vehicular highway) | 2 metres |
| Replacing an existing fence | Same rules apply — the replacement must meet the height limits |
“Adjacent to a highway” means any boundary that fronts a road used by vehicles. This includes the front boundary of most properties and side boundaries on corner plots. A public footpath that is not a road does not count as a highway for this purpose.
When you will need planning permission
- The fence or wall exceeds 2 metres (or 1 metre next to a highway)
- Your property is a listed building — any fence or wall that affects the setting of the listed building needs listed building consent
- An Article 4 direction removes fencing rights (common in some conservation areas, particularly those protecting open-plan front garden character)
- A condition on your original planning permission restricts fencing (common on new-build estates where open-plan front gardens are required)
Conservation area considerations
In conservation areas, fences themselves are usually still permitted development under Part 2 (the height limits apply as normal). However, some conservation areas have Article 4 directions that specifically remove the right to erect fences or walls — particularly in areas where open front gardens are part of the area’s character.
Check your local authority page or use our free PD checker to see if your address is affected.
Boundary disputes
Planning permission rules are separate from boundary ownership. The GPDO controls the height of fences you can build without permission — it does not determine where the boundary is or who owns an existing fence. Boundary disputes are a civil matter between neighbours, not a planning issue.
Building regulations
Fences and garden walls do not need building regulations approval unless they are retaining walls or form part of a building structure.
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