Fences and retaining walls in Brisbane — do you need approval?
Brisbane City Council's planning scheme — the Brisbane City Plan 2014 — decides whether a fence or retaining wall needs a development application, and the answer depends on the zone your property is in. Below is what its table of assessment says for each zone; or check your own address.
In a low density residential zone
No planning approval needed. A fence or retaining wall for your house is accepted development with no planning approval needed unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher retaining walls.
I don't know my zone — choose my council instead
The zone is on your rates notice, or a Landbrief site report will find it for you.
Zone by zone
Building work (a fence or retaining wall). Residential zones first.
| Zone | What the table says | Conditions | What you'll need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall for your house is accepted development with no planning approval needed unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher retaining walls. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Low-medium density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted development with no planning approval needed unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher retaining walls. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Medium density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted development with no planning approval needed unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher retaining walls. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| High density residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted development with no planning approval needed unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher retaining walls. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Character residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A domestic fence or retaining wall is accepted building work needing no planning development application unless an overlay applies. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Tourist accommodation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A domestic fence or retaining wall is accepted building work needing no planning development application unless an overlay applies. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Rural residential zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted and needs no planning development application unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Township zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted and needs no planning development application unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Emerging community zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a retaining wall over 1m may need operational work approval. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Community facilities zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a retaining wall over 1m may need operational work approval. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Conservation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval under the Building Act may still be needed for larger retaining walls. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| District centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be required. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Environmental management zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval under the Building Act may still be needed for larger retaining walls. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Extractive industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a retaining wall over 1m may need operational work approval. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Industry investigation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher structures. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher structures. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Low impact industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher structures. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Major centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A domestic fence or retaining wall is accepted building work needing no planning development application unless an overlay applies. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Mixed use zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be required. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Neighbourhood centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be required. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Open space zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval under the Building Act may still be needed for larger retaining walls. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Principal centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A domestic fence or retaining wall is accepted building work needing no planning development application unless an overlay applies. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Rural zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a retaining wall over 1m may need operational work approval. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Special industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher structures. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Special purpose zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted and needs no planning development application unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Specialised centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be required. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Sport and recreation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though a building approval under the Building Act may still be needed for larger retaining walls. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
Overlays that change the answer
- Flood overlay. New dwelling house in a flood planning sub-category is accepted subject to requirements if it meets section A of the Flood overlay code, otherwise code assessable. Building work >25m² to an existing dwelling house, and most non-dwelling building/MCU/ROL in flood areas, become code assessable. (Table 5.10.11)
- Landslide overlay. Building work / operational work / MCU involving excavation >1m deep & 3m long, filling >1m high, or >50m³ becomes accepted subject to requirements (if meeting the code) or code assessable. ROL becomes code assessable. (Table 5.10.14)
Worth knowing in Brisbane
Base-case categories are drawn from the zone MCU tables (5.5), the ROL table (5.6), the building work table (5.7) and operational work table (5.8). For building work (shed, carport, garage, extension, pool, fence, demolition) the default category is 'accepted development' unless the building work table or an overlay makes it assessable — a separate building approval under the Building Act is still required. Secondary dwellings (granny flats) are assessed under the 'Dwelling house' row because the QPP definition of Dwelling house includes a secondary dwelling; a secondary dwelling must still meet the Dwelling house code acceptable outcomes to be accepted. Subdivision minimums shown are the thresholds at which ROL becomes impact assessable; ROL that meets the minimum is generally code assessable, and subdividing 1 lot into 2 in a residential or industry zone is regulated code assessment under section 5.4 unless an overlay applies. Lot-size rules in several residential zones vary by precinct and proximity to centres/key locations — the numeric value given is the smallest/entry threshold and the note explains the variation. Many neighbourhood plans (section 5.9) change the category of assessment for MCU and/or ROL in specific precincts (e.g. Bridgeman Downs sets specific lot criteria, Darra-Oxley sets 1,000-2,000m² industrial minimums, Fortitude Valley special entertainment area changes licensed-premises categories) — always check the applicable neighbourhood plan. Where a use is not listed in a zone's MCU table, the default category is impact assessment ('any other use'). Where development is in more than one overlay, the highest category applies. State Vegetation Management Act and other State approvals are separate from the local scheme position shown for tree clearing.
What else you'll need
- Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m
More about Brisbane
- What can you build in Brisbane? Council overview and development applications
- Every Queensland zone explained, with what each council allows and the planning overlays that change the answer
- What Brisbane City Council charges for a development application, compared with other councils
- A Landbrief site report for your Brisbane address — every planning layer that applies to the lot
- Development applications in Rochedale
- Development applications in Bulimba
- Development applications in Paddington
- Development applications in New Farm
- Development applications in Wynnum
- Development applications in Doolandella
- Development applications in Ashgrove
- Development applications in South Brisbane
Other projects in Brisbane
Granny flatDual occupancySubdivideShed or carportExtensionPoolHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeClear treesDemolish
The statewide position on this project: Fence or wall in Queensland.
Read from the Brisbane City Plan 2014 tables of assessment. General information, not advice. The council's planning scheme and the Planning Act 2016 decide — confirm with the council or a town planner before you build.