If you are considering constructing a fence around your property boundaries, the obvious question will be, How high can a fence be without planning permission UK?
Yes, rules can indeed be quite dense and foreboding, but knowing the basics can save a lot of time, money, and effort. Here you will have everything on how high your fence can be without needing planning permission.
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How high can a fence be without planning permission uk: General Rules about Fences in UK
Most of the time, you can construct a fence without asking for planning permission, but there are restrictions on how high it is allowed to be. The general rules are as follows:
- A fence can be up to 2-meter tall (6.6 feet) at the boundary of your property without planning permission.
- If the fence is alongside a road or public highway, Then, it is limited to a much shorter height of 1 meter (3.3 feet).
These height limits apply to fences at the boundary of your property. If you want to build a fence on your land but not along the boundary, the rules may differ.
Need To Be Careful About A Few Things
While these are the general rules, a few exceptions are there. Here are some of them:
- Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas: If Your property is a listed building or in conservation areas, more stringent rules can be applied. In these cases, you may actually need planning permission, irrespective of the height of the fence.
- Neighbour Concern: If your fence doesn’t meet the allowed height, neighbours might report it to your local council if it creates an issue for them, such as blocking their light or blocking their view.
- Type of Fence: The type of fence you install may also have an effect on whether you will require planning permission or not. Some materials or designs may require permission, for example, if they affect the beauty of the area.
- New Build Homes: If you are in a new development or housing estate, the developer may have specific guidelines or restrictions governing heights for erecting fences, even when the laws prescribe no Planning Permission.
Special Conditions That Need Planning Permission
There are occasions when installing a fence requires planning permission even when it does not exceed the standard height limit. They are as follows:
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- For such fencing in front of one’s house facing a public road, the height limit is lower, and for fences below 1 meter high, it will be required.
- If you live in a particular designated area with special restrictions, such as a national park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or World Heritage Site, stricter rules may apply for these areas.
Table Showing Fence Height Limits Without Planning Permission
Area | Max Fence Height (without planning permission) | Notes |
Front garden | 1 meter (3.3 feet) | Applies if adjacent to a road or pathway. |
Rear/side garden | 2 meters (6.6 feet) | Typically allowed for privacy and security. |
Conservation areas | 1 meter (3.3 feet) | Stricter rules for historic preservation. |
What You Should Do When You Have Confusion
If you are not sure if your fence requires planning permission, it is always worth seeing your local council before construction work begins. They will advise you on the specific features of your property and location so that you remain within the rules and do not incur fines or later need to remove your fence.
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End Thoughts
So generally, how high can a fence be without planning permission uk, is not taller than 2 meters high along the boundary of your property. The location where the fence is built, the type of property involved, and other exceptional circumstances may affect whether the approval is successful. Always check with your local council if you are not sure regarding the rules to make your fencing work smooth.
