In England, a garden fence can usually be up to 2 metres high without planning permission. Where it adjoins a highway used by vehicles (or the footpath beside it), the usual limit is 1 metre. Conservation areas and listed buildings - including parts of Ely - can have tighter rules.
The standard England rules
Under permitted development (the national rules that apply unless your property is restricted), you can normally put up a fence, wall or gate up to:
- 2 metres high elsewhere in the garden (typical rear and side boundaries)
- 1 metre high where it adjoins a highway used by vehicular traffic, or the pavement / verge of that highway
That is why a 6' (1.83m) rear closeboard fence is usually fine, while a 6' fence along the pavement at the front of the house usually is not - without planning permission.
Front gardens
Front boundaries almost always sit next to a road or pavement, so the 1 metre limit is the one that matters. Lower open-style fences are common on front gardens because they define the edge without needing a planning application for a tall solid fence.
Ely conservation areas and listed buildings
Parts of Ely sit in a conservation area, and some properties are listed or affected by listed-building controls. In those cases, permitted development rights can be reduced or removed. Raising or replacing a boundary may need consent even if it would be fine elsewhere in Cambridgeshire.
If your property is in central Ely or you know it is listed, check with East Cambridgeshire District Council before you raise the height. We can advise from experience, but the council is the authority on whether you need permission.
Does trellis count?
Yes for practical purposes. Height is taken from ground level to the top of the structure. Trellis fixed on top of the fence counts towards the total. If you are close to 2m (or 1m by a highway), include the trellis in the finished height.
What about replacing a fence that is already taller?
Replacing like-for-like is often straightforward, but if the existing fence was never lawful, replacing it at the same height does not automatically make it permitted. When in doubt - especially in a conservation area - check before you order materials.
Common questions
How high can a garden fence be?
Usually up to 2 metres without planning permission, or 1 metre next to a highway. Check local restrictions for conservation areas and listed buildings.
How tall can my garden fence be next to a road?
Usually 1 metre without planning permission where it adjoins a highway used by vehicles, or the pavement beside it.
Do I need planning permission for a 6 foot fence?
A 6' (≈1.83m) fence is under the usual 2m rear-garden limit, so in most cases no. Beside a highway, 6' is above the 1m limit - you would normally need permission or a lower fence.
Are there different rules in Ely?
Parts of Ely are in a conservation area, and listed buildings have extra controls. Check with East Cambridgeshire District Council before raising a boundary there.
Does fence height include gravel boards and trellis?
Height is from ground level to the top. Trellis on top counts. Gravel boards sit at the bottom within that overall height.