Planning permission for a fence
The 2 metre rule, the 1 metre rule next to roads, and when you might need to ask the council. Plain English from a family fencing company in Sevenoaks.
This is general guidance for homes in England, not legal advice. If you are unsure, ask your local council before you build.
The 2 metre rule
Most garden fences don’t need planning permission. In England you can usually put up a new fence, wall or gate, or replace an old one, without applying, as long as it is no more than 2 metres high. These are called permitted development rights.
Measure from the ground on the higher side. A 1.8m panel on a 150mm gravel board with a trellis on top can easily go over 2 metres. The same goes for a fence on top of a raised bed or retaining wall: the wall counts towards the height.
Next to a road: 1 metre
If the fence or gate is next to a road used by vehicles, or the pavement beside it, the limit drops to 1 metre. This catches out a lot of front gardens. Our palisade fencing is usually 0.9m to 1.2m, so check the height before you choose. A taller front boundary or driveway gate may need permission, mainly so it doesn’t block drivers’ view.
When you’re more likely to need permission
- Your home is a listed building, or the fence is within its grounds.
- The council has taken away permitted development rights in your area (an Article 4 direction), or a planning condition on your house does.
- Some newer estates have rules about front gardens in the planning conditions or the deeds.
Conservation areas don’t ban new fences, but councils care more about how front boundaries look. There are a lot of conservation areas around Sevenoaks and the villages, so if you’re in one it’s worth a quick check with Sevenoaks District Council (or Tonbridge & Malling or Tunbridge Wells, depending on where you live).
Repairs and replacements
Repairing or replacing a fence at the same height is normally fine. Putting a taller one in its place is treated like a new fence, so the height limits above apply. See our fence repairs.
Quick answers
What is the 2m fence rule?
In England you can usually put up a fence, wall or gate up to 2 metres high without planning permission. Next to a road used by vehicles, or the pavement beside it, the limit is 1 metre.
Does trellis on top count towards the height?
Yes. The height is measured from the ground to the top of everything, including trellis, gravel boards and any wall the fence sits on.
Do I need permission to replace an old fence?
Not usually, if the new fence is the same height or within the limits. A taller replacement is treated like a new fence.
Do you check the height rules when you quote?
Yes. We'll talk it through on the free site visit, and recommend a height that suits the spot.