Fences and retaining walls in Scenic Rim — do you need approval?
Scenic Rim Regional Council's planning scheme — the Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020 — 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. The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning approval (a Building Act approval may still be required).
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 Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning approval (a Building Act approval may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Low-medium Density Residential Zone | No planning approval needed Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning approval (a Building Act approval may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Emerging Community Zone | No planning approval needed 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application (a Building Act approval may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Rural Residential Zone - (Where no precinct applies) | No planning approval needed 5.7 | Fences and retaining walls are building work not regulated by the planning scheme, so no planning approval is needed (a building permit may still apply). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Rural Residential Zone - Rural Residential A Precinct | No planning approval needed 5.7 | A fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application because the scheme regulates no building work, though a building approval may still apply. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Township Zone - (Where no precinct applies) | No planning approval needed Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Township Zone - Township Residential Precinct | No planning approval needed Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application, though a building approval may still be required. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Community Facilities Zone | No planning approval needed 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application (a Building Act approval may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Conservation Zone | No planning approval needed 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application (a Building Act approval may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| District Centre Zone | No planning approval needed 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application (a Building Act approval may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Industry Zone | No planning approval needed Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning approval (a building approval may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Limited Development Zone - (Where no precinct applies) | No planning approval needed Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning approval (a building approval may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Limited Development Zone - Flood Land Precinct | No planning approval needed Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning approval (a building approval may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Limited Development Zone - Historical Subdivision Precinct | No planning approval needed Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning approval (a building approval may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Local Centre Zone | No planning approval needed Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning approval (a Building Act approval may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Major Centre Zone | No planning approval needed Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning approval (a Building Act 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 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Minor Tourism Zone | No planning approval needed 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Mixed Use Zone | No planning approval needed 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Mixed Use Zone - Commercial Industry Precinct | No planning approval needed 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Neighbourhood Centre Zone | No planning approval needed 5.7 | Fences and retaining walls are building work not regulated by the planning scheme, so no planning approval is needed (a building permit may still apply). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Recreation and Open Space Zone - (Where no precinct applies) | No planning approval needed 5.7 | Fences and retaining walls are building work not regulated by the planning scheme, so no planning approval is needed (a building permit may still apply). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Recreation and Open Space Zone - Passive Recreation Precinct | No planning approval needed 5.7 | Fences and retaining walls are building work not regulated by the planning scheme, so no planning approval is needed (a building permit may still apply). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Rural Zone - (Where no precinct applies) | No planning approval needed 5.7 | A fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application because the scheme regulates no building work, though a building approval may still apply. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Rural Zone - Rural Escarpment Protection Precinct | No planning approval needed 5.7 | A fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application because the scheme regulates no building work, though a building approval may still apply. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Rural Zone - Tamborine Mountain Rural Precinct | No planning approval needed 5.7 | A fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application because the scheme regulates no building work, though a building approval may still apply. | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Special Purpose Zone - (Where no precinct applies) | No planning approval needed Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Special Purpose Zone - Bromelton State Development Area Precinct | No planning approval needed Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
| Special Purpose Zone - Bulk Water Storage Facilities Precinct | No planning approval needed Section 5.7 | The planning scheme does not regulate building work, so a fence or retaining wall needs no planning development application (a building approval under the Building Act may still be required). | Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m |
Overlays that change the answer
- Airport Environs and Defence Land Overlay (OM-02). Building work and material change of use in the Height Restriction Zone, Wildlife Buffer Area or Building Restricted Area become Accepted subject to requirements against the Airport Environs and Defence Land Overlay Code; other uses in the Defence Land Buffer Area and reconfiguring a lot become code assessable. (5.10 Airport Environs and Defence Land Overlay Map OM-02)
- Local Heritage Overlay (OM-08). In a Local Heritage Place, material change of use, reconfiguring a lot, and building work or operational work not associated with an MCU all become code assessable against the Local Heritage Overlay Code (so renovations, outbuildings and demolition need a development application). (5.10 Local Heritage Overlay Map OM-08)
Worth knowing in Scenic Rim
Section 5.7 states there is no building work regulated by the planning scheme, so sheds/carports, extensions, pools, fences and demolition are not assessable development under the scheme in the base case (a Building Act approval from a building certifier is still required) — EXCEPT where an overlay changes this (e.g. Airport Environs, Local Heritage, Flood, Landslide/Steep Slope overlays can make building work Accepted subject to requirements or code assessable). Local utility uses are Accepted in every zone and under every overlay. For subdivision, the 'minimum lot size' noted is the threshold at which ROL is code assessable rather than impact assessable; Low Density and Low-medium Density Residential zones rely on the minimum average lot size in Table 9.4.6.3.2 (not reproduced here) and Rural Residential/Rural thresholds depend on identification on Minimum Lot Size Overlay Map OM-13. Dual occupancy lot-size thresholds differ by precinct and by reticulated sewerage connection (e.g. Township Zone 2000m² sewered / 8000m² unsewered accepted-subject-to-requirements). Precincts are treated as separate zone rows where the scheme publishes a separate table of assessment. Transport Noise Corridor (OM-12), Minimum Lot Size (OM-13), Higher Order Road (OM-14), Road Hierarchy (OM-15), Flood Category Area (OM-6-B) and Streams and Dams (OM-10-B) overlays are information/administrative only and do not change the category of assessment.
What else you'll need
- Building approval for fences over 2 m or retaining walls over 1 m
More about Scenic Rim
- What can you build in Scenic Rim? Council overview and development applications
- Every Queensland zone explained, with what each council allows and the planning overlays that change the answer
- What Scenic Rim Regional Council charges for a development application, compared with other councils
- A Landbrief site report for your Scenic Rim address — every planning layer that applies to the lot
- Development applications in Beaudesert
- Development applications in Tamborine Mountain
- Development applications in Gleneagle
- Development applications in Kalbar
- Development applications in Tamborine
- Development applications in Benobble
- Development applications in Boonah
- Development applications in Canungra
Other projects in Scenic Rim
Granny flatDual occupancySubdivideShed or carportExtensionPoolHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeClear treesDemolish
The statewide position on this project: Fence or wall in Queensland.
Read from the Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020 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.