Fences and retaining walls in Gold Coast — do you need approval?
City of Gold Coast's planning scheme — the Gold Coast City Plan (City Plan) — Part 5 Tables of assessment (v14, 2026-09-29) — 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 a house is accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher 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 a house is accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher 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 for a house is accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher 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 for a house is accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher walls. | 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 not triggered as assessable by the City Plan, though a building approval may still be required. | 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 for your house is accepted development 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 |
| Township zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall for a house is accepted development under the planning scheme 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 |
| Centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall for a house is accepted development under the planning scheme unless an overlay applies, though a building approval may still be needed for higher walls. | 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 not triggered as assessable by the City Plan, though a building approval may still be required. | 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 development under the planning scheme (an overlay could change this), but you may still need a building approval. | 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 not triggered as assessable by the City Plan, though a building approval may still be required. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| High 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 building approval may still be required. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Innovation zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall for a house is accepted development under the planning scheme 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 |
| Limited development (constrained land) zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall for a house is accepted development under the planning scheme 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 |
| 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 building approval may still be required. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Major tourism zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is not triggered as assessable by the City Plan, though a building approval may still be required. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Medium 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 building approval may still be required. | 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 for a house is accepted development under the planning scheme 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 |
| Neighbourhood centre zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted development under the planning scheme (an overlay could change this), but you may still need a building approval. | 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 development under the planning scheme (an overlay could change this), but you may still need a building approval. | 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 for your house is accepted development 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 |
| Special purpose zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall ancillary to a dwelling is accepted development 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 development under the planning scheme (an overlay could change this), but you may still need a building approval. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Waterfront and marine industry zone | No planning approval needed Table 5.7.1 | A fence or retaining wall is accepted building work unless an overlay applies, though building approval may still be required. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
Overlays that change the answer
- Flood overlay. In a 'Flood assessment required' area, development otherwise accepted becomes accepted subject to requirements (must meet the Flood overlay code); operational earthworks over 5m³ not tied to building work/MCU become code assessable. (Table 5.10.11 Flood overlay)
- Heritage overlay. In a 'Local heritage place', building work that does not demolish/relocate/remove becomes code assessable; building work that partly or fully demolishes/relocates/removes becomes impact assessable (a development application that may be publicly notified). Essential repair/maintenance under the Queensland Heritage Act is unchanged. Operational work becomes code assessable. In a 'Place in proximity to a local heritage place', new buildings/extensions can become code assessable. (Table 5.10.12 Heritage overlay)
Worth knowing in Gold Coast
Precinct variations within zones can change answers materially: e.g. the Low density residential and Township 'Large lot' precincts allow no additional subdivision lots and have their own MCU tables; the Calypso Bay precinct lowers the Low density residential minimum to 400m²; Future industry precincts require 20ha; the Rural 'Rural landscape and environment' and Rural residential 'landscape and environment' precincts prohibit/limit new lots. Subdivision thresholds use the Residential density overlay (RD1–RD8) in medium/high density residential zones and the Minimum lot size overlay map elsewhere — always check the overlay maps for the specific lot. Schedule 12 'one into two' subdivision does NOT apply anywhere in Gold Coast because the whole city is affected by overlays, so all genuine subdivision is at least code assessable. For all building work (sheds, pools, fences, extensions, demolition) a separate building approval under the Building Act 1975 is also required even where no planning (City Plan) approval is needed. State Vegetation Management Act rules for clearing are separate from the City Plan Vegetation management code. The Special purpose zone is largely regulated by other legislation (see Part 10); the Special development area precinct makes any use impact assessable. Note multiple overlays can apply to one site and the most onerous category prevails.
What else you'll need
- Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m
More about Gold Coast
- What can you build in Gold Coast? Council overview and development applications
- Every Queensland zone explained, with what each council allows and the planning overlays that change the answer
- What City of Gold Coast charges for a development application, compared with other councils
- A Landbrief site report for your Gold Coast address — every planning layer that applies to the lot
- Development applications in Southport
- Development applications in Surfers Paradise
- Development applications in Palm Beach
- Development applications in Burleigh Heads
- Development applications in Coomera
- Development applications in Mermaid Waters
- Development applications in Broadbeach Waters
- Development applications in Upper Coomera
Other projects in Gold Coast
Granny flatDual occupancySubdivideShed or carportExtensionPoolHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeClear treesDemolish
The statewide position on this project: Fence or wall in Queensland.
Read from the Gold Coast City Plan (City Plan) — Part 5 Tables of assessment (v14, 2026-09-29) 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.