Fencing in Upper Ferntree Gully

First, which council

Upper Gully is split between two councils: about two thirds of it is in Knox and the rest in Yarra Ranges. The fence rules differ across that line, so the council on your rates notice is the first thing to know.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Wikipedia: Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria and Vicmap Planning, the state's zone and overlay maps (DataVic), measured across the suburb.

The Knox streets

The Knox part is mostly Neighbourhood Residential, and Knox's schedules for that zone set the front fence height: 1.2 m on an ordinary street, 2 m on a main road zoned Transport Zone 2. Within 3 m of the street, anything taller needs a building permit. Side and back fences up to 2 m need no building permit.

On the tree site's sample most of the Knox side was under SLO2, Foothills Backdrop and Ridgeline, with SLO3 in a few places. Under either, a front fence needs a planning permit unless it is 1.2 m or less and more than 50% see-through, and a side fence between the house and the street needs one unless it is 1.2 m or less. ESO3, VPO1, DDO1 and DDO5 add no fence trigger. DDO12, for the Upper Gully centre, only guides against fencing that is more than 50% obscured.

Knox's SLO1 and ESO2 cover a few blocks as well, and we haven't read their fence wording. If your property report lists either, ask Knox before a solid fence goes up.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Vicmap Planning, the state's zone and overlay maps (DataVic), measured across the suburb, Knox Planning Scheme, Clause 32.09 schedules (front fence height), Building Regulations 2018 (Vic), authorised version 031, Knox Planning Scheme, Schedules 2, 3 and 4 to Clause 42.03 and Knox Planning Scheme, schedules to Clauses 42.01, 42.02 and 43.02.

The Yarra Ranges side

On the Yarra Ranges side the blocks are larger, mostly Low Density Residential, and two landscape schedules share them about evenly. Under SLO22 only a front fence needs a planning permit, and not if it is under 1.2 m or more than 75% see-through. Under SLO6 any fence needs one unless it is rural post and open-weave wire under 1.8 m, so a paling fence between two neighbours there is a permit question.

Some blocks also carry ESO1, whose fence wording is unclear. If yours does, ask Yarra Ranges planning before you build.

About 2.5% of the suburb is under the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay, and a fence there needs a planning permit like any other works.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Vicmap Planning, the state's zone and overlay maps (DataVic), measured across the suburb, Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedules to Clause 42.03 (SLO1–6, SLO22, SLO23), Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedules to Clause 42.01 (ESO1, ESO2), Yarra Ranges Council: building a fence and Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 44.04 (Land Subject to Inundation Overlay).

Under the 1000 Steps

Ferntree Gully Park, part of Dandenong Ranges National Park, is on the suburb's doorstep, and Kings Park runs along Ferntree Gully and Ferny creeks. The Crown pays nothing toward a dividing fence, and neither does a council for a public park, so a fence against either is normally the homeowner's cost. Dividing fences covers fences between private neighbours.

About half the suburb is under a Bushfire Management Overlay. The fence-line clearing exemption for fences built before 10 September 2009 is in clearing a fence line.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Wikipedia: Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Vicmap Planning, the state's zone and overlay maps (DataVic), measured across the suburb, Fences Act 1968 (Vic), authorised version 072 and Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 52.12 (bushfire protection exemptions).

On either side

Ferntree Gully

All Knox, with the same 1.2 m front fence on most streets.

Upwey

Yarra Ranges, mostly SLO22: the rule is about front fences only.

Tremont and Ferny Creek

The ranges overlay SLO1: a permit for any fence unless under 1.8 m and more than 75% see-through.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Knox Planning Scheme, Clause 32.09 schedules (front fence height) and Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedules to Clause 42.03 (SLO1–6, SLO22, SLO23).