In England, you can usually build a garden fence, wall or gate up to 2 metres high without planning permission. If it is next to a road used by vehicles, or the footpath beside it, the limit is 1 metre. Heights are measured from ground level. These rules come from permitted development, summarised on the government's Planning Portal.
The height limits at a glance
| Where the fence is | Maximum height without permission |
|---|---|
| Next to a road used by vehicles (or its footpath) | 1 metre |
| Anywhere else, e.g. between back gardens | 2 metres |
| An existing fence already over these limits | You can maintain it, but not make it taller |
When you need planning permission anyway
You need to apply for permission, even below these heights, if:
- your home is a listed building, or the fence is within its grounds;
- the fence forms a boundary with a neighbour's listed building;
- your council has removed these rights with an Article 4 direction, or a planning condition on your home restricts fences (common on some newer "open plan" estates).
If you live in a conservation area, you may also need permission to take down an existing fence, wall or gate. Check with your council first.
Can I add trellis on top of a 2 metre fence?
Be careful here. If trellis on top of your fence takes the total height over 2 metres, check with your council's planning team before you put it up, as it may need permission. For example, a 1.8 metre fence with 30 cm of trellis is 2.1 metres tall. If you want more privacy, tall planting or a free-standing screen set back from the boundary are often simpler options.
What about hedges?
Hedges don't need planning permission, though a planning condition or covenant can restrict them on some estates. If a neighbour's evergreen hedge is over 2 metres and blocks your light, you can complain to the council once you have tried to sort it out together. Councils usually charge a fee for this.
Fences in Sutton, Wimbledon, Kingston and Wandsworth
The same national rules apply in every London borough, but each council can add local restrictions such as Article 4 directions or conservation area rules. If you are not sure, ask your council's planning team before you build, or ask us when we visit.
Planning a new fence?
Superior Landscaping builds gardens across Sutton and South London. Get in touch for a free consultation and we'll talk through the height rules for your garden and give you a written quote.
This guide covers England and is general information, not legal advice. Last checked against the Planning Portal: 21 October 2026.
