The short answer
Usually no. A 6 foot fence is roughly 1.8 metres, which sits within the 2 metre permitted development limit for garden boundaries that are not next to a road. So between rear or side gardens, a 6ft fence normally needs no planning permission. The big exception is a fence next to a highway used by vehicles (or its footpath), where the limit drops to 1 metre — there, a 6ft fence would need permission. Permission may also be needed for listed buildings, in some conservation areas, where an Article 4 direction applies, or where a planning condition or covenant restricts height.
Six feet is the standard height most people picture for a garden fence, and the good news is that it is within the normal limit. The detail worth knowing is the handful of situations where that same fence suddenly needs permission.
6ft fence permission at a glance
- 6ft in metresAbout 1.8 metres
- General limit2 metres — so 6ft is fine
- Next to a road1 metre limit — 6ft needs permission
- Listed buildingPermission often needed
- Trellis on topCounts toward height; may push over 2m
Why a 6ft fence is normally allowed
Permitted development rights in England let you erect a fence up to 2 metres high without planning permission, as long as the boundary is not next to a road and your rights have not been restricted. A 6 foot fence converts to about 1.83 metres, comfortably under that 2 metre ceiling.
That is why standard 6ft fence panels are sold so widely: they suit the most common situation, a boundary between two gardens, without anyone needing to apply for anything. As long as the finished structure, including posts and any gravel board, stays at or below 2 metres measured from the higher ground level, you are within permitted development and no permission is required.
The roadside exception that catches people out
The single most important caveat is the road. Where a fence is adjacent to a highway used by vehicles, or next to the footpath alongside such a highway, the permitted height without permission is only 1 metre, not 2. A 6ft fence is well above 1 metre, so a 6ft fence in that position does require planning permission.
This most often affects front gardens facing the street and side boundaries running along a road. Homeowners frequently assume the 2 metre rule is universal and put up a tall front fence, only to find it breaches the lower roadside limit. The rule exists for visibility and road safety, so it is taken seriously, particularly on corners and near junctions.
| Where the 6ft fence goes | Permission needed? |
|---|---|
| Between rear or side gardens | No (within 2m limit) |
| Front boundary facing a road | Yes (1m roadside limit) |
| Alongside a vehicle highway | Yes (1m roadside limit) |
| Within a listed building's grounds | Usually yes |
| With trellis taking it over 2m | Yes |
When a 6ft fence needs planning permission. Source: Planning Portal permitted development guidance.
Other situations where a 6ft fence needs permission
Even away from a road, some properties cannot rely on the standard 2 metre allowance:
- Listed buildings: a fence within the grounds (curtilage) of a listed building commonly needs planning permission even below 2 metres, and may need listed building consent too.
- Conservation areas and designated land: extra controls can apply, so check before building.
- Article 4 directions: in some areas the council has withdrawn permitted development rights, meaning you must apply for permission you would otherwise not need.
- Planning conditions: a condition attached to the permission for your home may cap boundary heights.
- Developer covenants: on many new estates the deeds restrict fence heights and styles, which is a private contractual limit separate from planning.
Trellis is a common trap: adding a trellis topper to a 6ft fence can push the total above 2 metres, taking an otherwise permitted fence over the limit and requiring permission.
How to check and how to apply
Before building a 6ft fence, a few quick checks settle whether you need permission:
- Is it next to a road? If yes, the 1 metre limit applies and you likely need permission.
- Is the property listed or in a conservation area? If yes, check with the council.
- Are there Article 4 directions, conditions or covenants? Check your local planning authority's records and your title deeds.
If you do need permission, you apply to your local planning authority, usually through the Planning Portal. The application is decided on the impact on neighbours, the street scene and, near roads, on visibility. If you are genuinely unsure, a pre-application enquiry or a request for a lawful development certificate (which formally confirms that no permission is needed) gives certainty and is far cheaper than removing a non-compliant fence later.
Building a 6ft fence the right way
Assuming your 6ft fence is permitted, build it to stay clearly within the rules: keep the total height at or below 2 metres from the higher ground level, including posts, gravel boards and any topper; site it wholly within your own land; and check the deeds for any covenant capping height or dictating style. If you later want extra privacy, remember that adding trellis or extending posts counts toward the height limit, so you cannot simply stack height onto a 2 metre fence without permission. Staying inside the limits keeps the fence lawful, avoids enforcement risk, and means nothing has to be disclosed or unpicked if you sell.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 6ft fence within permitted development?
Yes, in most cases. A 6 foot fence is about 1.8 metres, which is below the 2 metre limit for garden boundaries that are not next to a road, so it normally needs no planning permission. Next to a highway used by vehicles the limit is 1 metre, so a 6ft fence there would need permission.
Can I put a 6ft fence in my front garden?
Only if the front boundary is not next to a road. Where a fence is adjacent to a highway used by vehicles or its footpath, the permitted height is 1 metre, so a 6ft front fence facing a road would need planning permission. A 6ft fence is fine for a rear or side boundary away from the road.
Does adding trellis to a 6ft fence need permission?
It can. Height limits cover the whole structure, so a 6ft fence plus a trellis topper may exceed 2 metres, which takes it over the permitted limit and requires planning permission. If the total stays at or below 2 metres and the boundary is not next to a road, it remains permitted.
Sources & further reading
- Planning Portal — fences, gates and garden walls
- GOV.UK — when you need planning permission
- GOV.UK — lawful development certificates
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific garden. They are guidance, not a quotation.