Build a gate, fence or wall around your house

You should check if you need planning permission before you do any work on a gate, fence or wall around your house.

This guidance only applies if your home is a dwellinghouse. This means it's a house you live in and not mainly used for business purposes.

Permitted development

You do not always need planning permission to do work on a gate, fence or wall around your home.

This is called ‘permitted development’.

Permitted development rules for gates, walls and fences

If you're building a gate, wall or fence, the permitted development rules are:

it cannot be higher than 2 metres
it cannot be higher than one metre if it faces onto a road
it cannot be higher than one metre if it extends past the front or side of your house
you cannot build in the grounds of a listed building
your house must not be in a conservation area

You can replace an existing gate, fence or wall if it's already higher than the permitted height. The new structure must not be higher than the old one. You cannot do this if you live in a conservation area or in the grounds of a listed building.

Example of permitted development

If you have a 2.5 metre high fence, you can replace it with another 2.5 metre high fence under permitted development. This does not apply if you live in a conservation area or in the grounds of a listed building.

Read the Householder permitted rights guidance on gov.scot to find out more about:

the rules about building a gate, wall or fence
what counts as permitted development

Planning permission

If the gate, fence or wall you want to build is higher than permitted development allows, you must apply for planning permission.

Find out how to apply for planning permission. You can also contact your local council for further information.

Planning permission

Always check with your council to confirm if you need planning permission. Even if you meet the permitted development rules, there might be other approvals you'll need to get.

Other approvals

You may need other approvals before starting work. For example, your local council might ask for building regulation approval.

If you do not own the land, you must get the landowner’s permission (for example, if you’re a tenant or share ownership).

If your home is a listed building, you’ll also need listed building consent.

It’s your responsibility to make sure you have all the approvals you need.

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Information

Permitted development

Permitted development rules for gates, walls and fences

Example of permitted development

Planning permission

Other approvals