Fencing and street walls

Before starting any fencing project, there are specific approvals you'll need to secure. Find out about requirements and how to apply.

Definitions

Dividing fence: These fences separate lands of different owners, either along the mutual boundary or on either side of it.
Front fence/street wall: These are the fences or walls that face the street, including any barriers at the front of your house or along the sides if they're still in the front yard area.
Boundary fence: A boundary fence is a fence that is installed along a street or public open space or reserve.
Privacy screen: A privacy screen is a fence that is a minimum of 100mm inside a dividing fence.
Development (Planning) Approval: This is the City’s approval of your project's design and location, ensuring it aligns with local zoning and planning rules. It's the essential first step for any new building or significant alteration on your property.
Building Permit: A formal permission from the City for the construction, extension, or major renovation of a building, ensuring safety and compliance with building codes.
R-Codes: R-Codes, formally known as State Planning Policy 7.3 - Residential Design Codes, are a set of regulations that govern residential development in Western Australia. They detail the minimum requirements for the design and assessment of residential properties, focussing on aspects like building size, open space, setbacks, and density to ensure sustainable and community-friendly development across various residential zones.

Construction guidelines

Dividing fences

Dividing fences must be constructed from corrugated fibre-reinforced pressed cement or steel sheeting, following either the manufacturer's specifications or these criteria:

In-ground depth: The base of each sheet must be embedded at least 25% of its total length into the ground, with a mandatory minimum depth of 600mm.
Material composition: Fences should be formed from a continuous piece of corrugated fibre-reinforced cement or steel sheet.
Assembly details: Overlapping sheets should be secured with extruded snap-fit capping as per manufacturer's guidelines.
Height regulations: Fences must stand 1800mm tall from the natural ground level, except those within street setback areas, where Residential Design Codes stipulate alternative requirements.

For commercial and industrial fencing, refer to the Fencing Local Law for sufficient fencing requirements.

Street walls and fences

Fencing above 1.2m must be ‘visually permeable’ above the midpoint of the verge directly adjacent to the lot. The R-Codes define this as:

In reference to a wall, gate, door, screen or fence that the vertical surface when viewed directly from the street or public space has:
- Continuous vertical or horizontal gaps of 50mm or greater width, occupying not less than one third of the total surface area.
- Continuous vertical or horizontal gaps less than 50mm in width, occupying at least one half of the total surface area in aggregate.
- A surface offering equal or lesser obstruction to view.

Masonry fence

The design of the masonry fence shall meet the requirements of a practising structural engineer.

Front fences used as a swimming pool barrier

In addition to the minimum planning and building requirements, front fences that are to be used as a swimming pool barrier will need to comply with AS1926.1 Swimming pool safety. For further information refer to Swimming Pools and Spas page.

Dividing fences

Development (Planning) Approval is only required for a boundary/dividing fence if the proposed fencing does not comply with the requirements of the City's Residential Development Local Planning Policy, Development in Housing Opportunity Areas Local Planning Policy or structure plan (if applicable).

Fences adjoining public open space

The Dividing Fences Act 1961 does not apply to the Crown land (government) or to land used for public purposes such as roads and paths under the control of local governments. This means that if your property adjoins such land you are fully responsible for the dividing fence including associated costs of the dividing fence.

Properties that adjoin public spaces and/or public access ways must meet the design criteria of the City’s Subdivision and Dwelling Development Adjoining Areas of Public Space Policy. An application for development (planning) approval may be required should your proposed fence not meet the requirements of this policy. Any development (planning) application will need to include justification to demonstrate that the proposal meets the objectives of the policy.

Privacy Screens

Development (Planning) Approval is required for a privacy screen that exceeds 2.3m from natural ground level.

Street walls and fences

Street walls and fences on a residential property will require a Development (Planning) Application where it does not meet the requirements of the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes), the City's Residential Development Local Planning Policy, Development in Housing Opportunity Areas Local Planning Policy or structure plan (if applicable).

Generally, for a single house or grouped dwelling, Development (Planning) Approval is typically not needed for your street wall or fence if it complies with the following:

Solid wall portions: Must meet the specific height requirements associated with your property's R-Code density (see below).
Structural pillars: Should not exceed 1.8m in height from the ground and must be no wider than 400mm.
Driveway visibility: Walls and fences within 1.5m of the driveway's street boundary should have solid portions no taller than 750mm, except for pillars, which can rise to 1.8m and measure up to 350mm x 350mm.
Infill panels: Any infill panels more than 1.2m above the ground must be visually permeable.
Additional considerations: If your property is within a structure plan area, be aware that further requirements may apply.

Not sure of your R-Code or if your property is in a structure plan area? Insert your address into our online mapping system to view the R-Code and structure plan details. Contact the City of you need assistance.

Height requirements by R-Code density

Please note: For dual-density code not developed to the higher density, adhere to the R20 height requirements.

R-Code Density	Street the House Faces	Other Streets
R20	Solid walls within 6m of the street boundary: No higher than 1.2m measured from the midpoint of the verge, including the height of any retaining wall built or proposed. Any fencing above 1.2m to be visually permeable between the structural pillars.	Solid walls to a secondary street boundary (corner site), right of way or battleaxe leg: No higher than 1.2m for a minimum of 50% of the boundary length. Any fencing above 1.2m to be visually permeable between the structural pillars.
R20/25, R20/30, or R20/40	Solid walls within 4m of the street boundary. No higher than 1.2m from natural ground level on the street side of the fence, including the height of any retaining wall built or proposed. Any fencing above 1.2m to be visually permeable between structural pillars.	Corner sites are required to address the street with equal importance as the street the house faces.
R20/60	Solid walls within 2m of the street boundary. No higher than 1.2m from natural ground level on the street side of the fence, including the height of any retaining wall built or proposed. Any fencing above 1.2m to be visually permeable between structural pillars.	Corner sites are required to address the street with equal importance as the street the house faces.

R-Code Density

Street the House Faces

Other Streets

R20

Solid walls within 6m of the street boundary: No higher than 1.2m measured from the midpoint of the verge, including the height of any retaining wall built or proposed.

Any fencing above 1.2m to be visually permeable between the structural pillars.

Solid walls to a secondary street boundary (corner site), right of way or battleaxe leg: No higher than 1.2m for a minimum of 50% of the boundary length.

Any fencing above 1.2m to be visually permeable between the structural pillars.

R20/25, R20/30, or R20/40

Solid walls within 4m of the street boundary. No higher than 1.2m from natural ground level on the street side of the fence, including the height of any retaining wall built or proposed.

Any fencing above 1.2m to be visually permeable between structural pillars.

Corner sites are required to address the street with equal importance as the street the house faces.

R20/60

Solid walls within 2m of the street boundary. No higher than 1.2m from natural ground level on the street side of the fence, including the height of any retaining wall built or proposed.

Any fencing above 1.2m to be visually permeable between structural pillars.

Corner sites are required to address the street with equal importance as the street the house faces.

Dividing fence disputes

When disputes arise concerning dividing fences, it's crucial to understand both your responsibilities and the steps you can take to seek resolution.

Visit the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website for detailed advice on dividing fence matters and dispute procedure.

Obtaining neighbour's details

If you're unsure who owns the property adjacent to yours, here are several methods to find out:

Checking with the tenants or property manager if the property is rented or leased
Performing a land title search through Landgate
Contacting the City’s Rating Services Team to request neighbour’s details in relation to a dividing fence matter.

Mediation service

In instances where an agreement on the dividing fence cannot be reached, the City offers a free mediation service. While the City cannot compel a neighbour to construct a fence or adjudicate costs and repairs under the Dividing Fences Act 1961, this service aims to facilitate a mutual agreement. To access this service, contact the City’s Customer Relations on 9400 4000.

Explore the City of Joondalup

Definitions

Construction guidelines

Dividing fences

Street walls and fences

Masonry fence

Front fences used as a swimming pool barrier

How to apply

Dividing fences

Fences adjoining public open space

Privacy Screens

Street walls and fences

Height requirements by R-Code density

Fencing, screen or similar structure

Dividing fence

Dividing fence disputes

Obtaining neighbour's details

Mediation service

More information and contact

Fencing and street walls

Definitions

Construction guidelines

Dividing fences

Street walls and fences

Masonry fence

Front fences used as a swimming pool barrier

How to apply

Step 1: Determine if Development (Planning) Approval is required open accordion

Dividing fences

Fences adjoining public open space

Privacy Screens

Street walls and fences

Height requirements by R-Code density

Step 2: Apply for Development (Planning) Approval if required open accordion

Step 3: Determine if a Building Permit is required open accordion

Fencing, screen or similar structure

Dividing fence

Step 4: Apply for a Building Permit if required open accordion

Dividing fence disputes

Obtaining neighbour's details

Mediation service

More information and contact