Fencing rules in London

We fence gardens across Greater London. Before choosing a height or material, check these rules.

All of London

Fencing and walls across London

We build boundaries for houses, flats and small commercial sites in every borough.

London gardens range from narrow terrace plots to larger suburban spaces, and many share boundaries with several neighbours, so heights and ownership are worth checking before work starts.

Fence and wall surveys are carried out on site across London.

Boroughs we cover

Barking and Dagenham
Barnet
Bexley
Brent
Bromley
Camden
City of London
Croydon
Ealing
Enfield
Greenwich
Hackney
Hammersmith and Fulham
Haringey
Harrow
Havering
Hillingdon
Hounslow
Islington
Kensington and Chelsea
Kingston upon Thames
Lambeth
Lewisham
Merton
Newham
Redbridge
Richmond upon Thames
Southwark
Sutton
Tower Hamlets
Waltham Forest
Wandsworth
Westminster

Height limits

A new fence, wall or gate usually needs no planning permission if it is no higher than 1 metre next to a road used by vehicles (or its footpath) and no higher than 2 metres elsewhere. Listed buildings and Article 4 directions can change this. ^[1]

Conservation areas

London has 1,056 mapped conservation areas. Some councils use Article 4 directions there to remove permitted development rights, including for front boundary walls and fences. ^{[2] [1]}

Garden walls versus fences

GOV.UK guidance on the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 explains that a garden wall standing on two owners’ land can be a party wall, but wooden fences are not. Rebuilding a shared brick wall may therefore require notice to your neighbour. ^[3]

Where these facts come from

Sources checked on 15 October 2026. Information only. Your council and a qualified adviser have the final word.

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