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What are the Council regulations for fence heights in my area?

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This question is often asked, and there is no “one size fits all” answer to it. Each council has their own rules, and even council inspectors can have their own interpretation of the rules. However, there are some norms which run through all council expectations regarding fence heights in residential areas. These norms are what we will discuss below, however, they are not rules, they are merely intended to point you in the right direction and educate you on the general requirements for fence heights in Australia.

  • The first point to clarify is, what is your intended use for the fence? If it is for pool safety, there are very strict rules in place that apply to these fences. You can access them here: https://screenlinesystems.com.au/resources/. If your intention is to increase privacy or security, you then fall back to the general rules regarding fencing.
  • The number 1 secret to success in adding to your fence height without having problems later, is to get a friendly agreement with your neighbours! If both parties agree, the council will seldom intervene, assuming your fence is still in the realms of normality! Fun fact – A large percentage of claims in the small claims court involve disputes over dividing fences!
  • Most councils have a stipulated maximum height of 2m for dividing fences. (you could easily confirm this by checking your local council website)
  • The 2-meter rule applies mostly to solid fences, being without any holes, gaps etc. BUT, most councils will make allowance for a non-solid screen to be above the 2 meter limit. This allows for lattice, slats, trellis, creepers etc. 
  • Adding to your fence height is mostly beneficial to both neighbours, giving added privacy, security, shade or whatever the reason may be. Having said this, your neighbour is not obliged to pay half the cost of adding to the height of the fence. You will most likely need to pay this cost yourself. This adds to the point above, try to reach a happy agreement with your neighbour (if possible) 

DIY Screen Solutions

Screenline Fence Extensions are a DIY solution to easily increase the height of your existing Colorbond fence for added security and privacy. Our fence extensions are 100% Australian made and can be simply added to your existing fence. Our fence extensions are available in a huge range of colours to perfectly compliment your current fencing. A simple, stylish, practical and elegant solution to your fencing needs. Order online now for prompt delivery Australia wide!

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Hear from our satisfied customers

To achieve pool compliance, we needed to extend our boundary fence. Screenline solved that with their standard fence extension kit with the solid infill panel extension type, as we could not have any climbing points. The fence extensions match perfectly to our existing fence. They were straightforward to install with a slightly slanted infill to ensure no possibility of climbing.

Lachlan Collins

Screens were terrific in providing extra privacy to our backyard, which the neighbour’s fence was looking directly into our property. I was super happy with the result, and it was easy to cut down and install. Problem solved!

 

 

Ricky Bell

We were looking to solve some overlooking issues from our wildly overdeveloped street. People’s upstairs living rooms had a direct view into our living room downstairs, and it felt like everyone was watching.

I purchased the Screenline DIY system to add a visual block that still looked neat and tidy. Wow, what a result! It matches perfectly with the existing fence line.

Thanks again! Highly recommend.

 

Scott Bollmeyer

Our neighbour decided he wanted to trim his hedging back, which meant he could see straight into our main bedroom from his backyard/patio area. So happy with our results.

Nigel

We needed to increase the height of our existing fence to make it compliant for pool safety and extra privacy after installing a new pool deck. We weren’t sure what colour to use but found the samples and guides on the Screenline website were easy to get the right shade. It matches our existing fence perfectly. It took two of us about 2.5 hours to install 4 extension panels with no previous experience – the instructions included were straightforward, and it looks like it’s always been there! Very satisfied customer.

Heather

Needed some added privacy.

Kelly Pierce

It was quite easy putting up the fence extension. I just followed the instructions provided. The only additional thing I added was extending the post between each panel, which was quite easy also. Love having extra privacy and security.

Screenline’s were very easy to deal with, and the process to get the material was smooth.

Thanks

Jeff Mercieca

Our neighbours could see right into our yard and house from their lounge room. Since installing the Screenline universal screening package we have some privacy, finally. Thanks guys!

So Happy

We installed our fence extensions, and they look great

Danielle

Although we did like having a normal size fence as the neighbours have some structures that aided in our privacy, when a couple of trees were cut down, we definitely needed the raise the fence. The Screenline extra 60cm panels allowed privacy yet allowed the afternoon sunlight to still lighten up our yard. I shortened a large panel by using the a angle grinder and looked like it was always meant to be that size. Easy to install and delivered quickly. I would have no hestitation to purchase from Screenline again.

Jeff Buckham

Great product, easy to install and looks great. So easy to order. We had an issue that our neighbours could see straight into our yard, the privacy extension was a simple and great solution.

Matt

We ordered the universal kit, Colour matched perfectly with our existing fence and measurements for the exact number of sheets we needed. Looks very neat and tidy and is exactly the amount of extra privacy we were after with the 300mm extension.

Lauren

Looks great. I’m not a tradie, yet installation was relatively easy using a power drill with the help of another person.

Neo

Gianni from Bathurst NSW installed our 600mm Picket style Standard fence extension kit. Here’s what he has to say about Screenline!

Gianni

The service was amazing, from the beginning on the phone right to the delivery, very prompt and professional.
The colour that we chose was a perfect match and very easy to install.
We had the Building Inspector come over to check all the requirements and the fence was given the okay, so we now have a certificate for proof of the compliances required.
So thank you for making this experience a pleasure.

Vincent Di Pietro

Both our house and our neighbours house are both situated very close to the dividing Colourbond fence. When our neighbour was going out their laundry door, they could easily see over the fence to see inside our dining room window. We had resorted to pulling the blind down for privacy. The Screenline extension was a perfect solution as it meant the neighbours could no longer see inside our window, meaning we could keep the blinds up. This not only gave us more privacy but gave the room so much light as we can now keep our blinds up. The extension was easy to install and looks great.

Simon

With the pool regulations changing in Victoria, I needed to put up fence extensions to meet the requirements of a 2.4 metre fence. I checked with my pool barrier inspector to make sure that the product I was purchasing would pass.

The process of purchasing and delivering went without any issues, once the product arrived my brother in-law and myself installed the extensions. I used the video that was on the company’s website, and it was very easy to follow. With everything in kit form it made the installation very easy.

I would highly recommend the product whether it be for pool regulations or privacy use.

Jeff

When the neighbours began to renovate their house, we became aware of the view we would now get into the new renovation.
Our old colourbond fence stepped down and it was then I discovered Screenline Systems.
So easy to install. (Even if you have an odd size gap to fill, just cut down with an angle grinder).
No more seeing into the neighbours.

Stephen

We recently installed a new pool and needed to extend our boundary fence for compliance. I ordered a Screenline Fence Extension kit for the job. Kit was ordered online and delivered within a week. Very easy to install and looks great

Scott D

We are lucky to back onto a conservation and recreation park on the Gold Coast, however, our council are using the recreation park as a staging area for a stormwater upgrade for the next year.

We found the Screenline product online and it looked like it would fit the bill. We wanted to block out the view of the construction and everyone’s view into our house, while also maintaining our view of the trees.

Ordering was easy, product was really well packaged and the instructions were excellent, to produce a simple and very effective fence extension. Very happy.

Richard

And this is why we call our extensions DIY.

James had an old-style Colorbond fence he needed to extend. Instead of just using our Universal style extension, he decided to mix it up with our Standard style extension. By drilling holes in the lower rail, he was able to install the universal panels onto a corrugated iron fence and still have rails to border the fence extension.

James Burgess

My pool was installed in the eighties with the ground simply sloping away to the fence. I recently installed a deck so that the level was consistent around the pool which resulted in the boundary fence height being reduced and not meeting the current pool standard. I looked at ways that I could extend the fence and found only Screenline was able to provide compliant fence extensions. The staff at Screenline were very responsive in answering queries and processing my order. The extensions arrived within days, the installation guide was easy to follow and I had the job completed in half a day. I am more than happy with the service and the look of the finished product. I would recommend the Screenline product to anyone facing the same pool compliance requirement.

Andrew Simms

I bought the Screenline extension to stop the kids’ basketball going over the neighbours fence. Even as an office worker, it was easy to install myself. Their website made it easy to identify what post type I had (no they’re not all Colorbond) and Sanchia at pre-sales happily answered all my questions. Prices were competitive even with delivery. All I needed was a drill driver and Screenline supplied everything else including instructions with plenty tek screws to spare.

Dustin

After having a new boundary colorbond fence installed, I was finally needing some extra privacy from my neighbours, especially as my neighbours rear balcony exit viewed directly into my backyard and house.

My research into privacy screening lead me to purchase the Screenline product.

The installation of the Screenline product has solved my matter and enhanced the overall look of the boundary fence.

Frank Meoli

We recently received our Screenline fencing extensions, which we installed last weekend, wow what a difference this has made. We are on the high side of our neighbours and can see straight into their backyard when we are out on our back deck, we purchased the 600mm slat extensions for some extra privacy for both ourselves and our neighbours.

Must say we are very happy with the difference it has made. Would 100% recommend. Installation was done by my husband and son and once they got going it took no time at all.

Karen Barnett

My neighbour over the back fence erected a ‘cabana’ which presented a blank white wall, an air conditioner and a bodgy bit of downpipe. The Screenline 600mm fence extension has blocked a large part of the new building and improved the look of our back fence immensely.

The kit was well packed with everything we needed including tek screws. It was easy to install with good instructions. Very happy. Cheers.

Tony

Our neighbour’s unexpectedly cleared all the trees in their backyard to build a granny flat, and we suddenly lost all our privacy! We installed Screenline fence extensions.

We were so impressed with how easily it was to install, everything just fit together with no issues, and we’re very happy with how it looks. We have our privacy and amenity back!!

Karina

I had to extend my fence height to comply with the requirements for the guarded area around our spa. I couldn’t find similar “pool safe” kit in Victoria.

The installation was relatively easy. I just followed the “Fence Extension Installation Guide”.

Alexander Vengerovsky