03/09/2026
Before you build your fence 👇
One: Know your legal height limit
Under 2 metres, you’re generally in the clear for building approval in Queensland. QLD law treats anything from half a metre up to 1.8 metres as a standard dividing fence, built from common materials like timber, steel, aluminium or brick.
Push past 2 metres and you’ll need a certifier to approve it first. Front fences tend to have a tighter cap too, often lower and sometimes as low as 1.2 metres depending on your council, so it’s worth checking before you build out toward the street.
Two: Talk to your neighbour first
A boundary fence affects both your property and your neighbour’s. QLD’s fencing laws spell out who’s on the hook for costs and what notice you’re required to give before starting work. Miss this step and you risk a dispute over who pays or what type of fence goes up, even if the build itself ticks every box.
Three: Check for a pool barrier overlap
Fences doing double duty as a pool barrier answer to a different set of rules. Any pool deep enough to hold more than 300mm of water needs a proper safety barrier. The required height depends on where the non-climbable zone sits, generally 1.2m to 1.8m, so it pays to get this checked properly.
Gap sizes, non-climbable zones and self-closing gates all get checked too, and missing any one of them is a common reason DIY builds fail inspection. A licensed inspector has to sign off before you can get your safety certificate.
Four: Watch for site quirks that trigger approval
A handful of situations pull you into approval territory even under 2 metres: building on top of a retaining wall, sitting near a corner where sightlines matter, or being in a heritage or character overlay. Sloping blocks and easements can throw a spanner in the works too. A quick call to council before ordering materials can save a headache later.
Ready to start building?
Order online at narangbatimbers.com.au
