Check if you need approval to build a boundary fence. Find information for building certifiers.
Before you start building a boundary fence, you should:
Your proposed fence may be subject to requirements in City Plan if you’re:
If your project doesn’t meet the requirements, you may need planning approval.
Phone Council on 07 3403 8888 for advice if your proposed fence doesn’t meet the general or planning requirements.
You’ll need building approval if your proposed fence height is more than 2 metres above the natural ground surface, or forms part of the fencing for a regulated pool. Fence height includes a combination of screens, fences and retaining walls.
You’ll also need to ensure your building work complies with applicable standards outlined in the National Construction Code and Queensland Development Code. They include structural sufficiency, size limits, fire separation and boundary setbacks.
Contact a licensed building certifier or contractor to check if your project complies with the relevant codes.
You’ll need to lodge a request for a referral response from Council if your fence does not meet the requirements.
Under the Planning Act 2016, Council must hold records of building construction approvals and certification information. These documents will be kept for a specified period of time and made available for inspection.
A detailed list of required lodgement materials is outlined in Planning Regulation 2017 and s86 of the Building Act 1975.
You can lodge building certification documents online for a fee of $72.30.
Sign in to the Services Brisbane for Business portal to lodge your building certification documents.
You can also lodge building documents at any Customer Centre. Phone Council’s Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263) to ask about the fees for lodging building documents in person.
There are different requirements for how close you can build to a boundary, depending on the size of your lot.
The Queensland Development Code (QDC) defines where and how single dwelling houses and associated structures are located on a property.
Learn more about building near the boundary.
Payment for a boundary fence depends on where it’s built. You and your neighbour would both own and pay for the fence if it’s on the common boundary line. However, if you are the sole owner of a fence (or part of a fence) built on your land, you’re required to pay for it, even if your neighbour helped pay for it initially.
Learn more about your responsibilities as a fence owner.
