Fencing in Upwey

A house-block suburb under SLO22

Upwey had 6,818 people at the 2021 census, and about two thirds of it is zoned residential: mostly Low Density Residential, with a smaller Neighbourhood Residential area. On the tree site's sample, SLO22 was the landscape overlay on most blocks.

SLO22 is a front-fence rule. A front fence needs a planning permit unless it is under 1.2 m or more than 75% see-through. Side and back fences aren't covered by it. A dividing fence up to 2 m needs no building permit, and SLO22 doesn't add a planning permit for it, though another overlay on your report might.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Wikipedia: Upwey, Victoria, 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), Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 62.02 (buildings and works) and Building Regulations 2018 (Vic), authorised version 031.

How high on the street

With no front-fence height in Yarra Ranges' residential zones, the Building Regulations set the limit. A fence within 3 m of the street can reach 1.5 m without a building permit, or 1.2 m if it is brick or concrete. The regulations allow 2 m on a declared road; ask council whether yours is one before planning a taller front fence. Near an intersection, a fence within 9 m of the corner over 1 m needs a permit.

A few blocks near the centre also carry a Design and Development Overlay. Its fence wording isn't covered here, so ask Yarra Ranges planning if your report lists one.

VicPlan's property report is free and lists every overlay. Fence permits has the full set.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Wikipedia: Upwey, Victoria, Vicmap Planning, the state's zone and overlay maps (DataVic), measured across the suburb and Building Regulations 2018 (Vic), authorised version 031.

Backing onto Crown bushland

Glenfern Valley Bushlands, about 40 hectares bounded by Ferny Creek, is Crown land, and Upwey also has Forest Park Reserve and two recreation reserves. The Crown doesn't contribute to a dividing fence, so a fence along the bushlands is yours to pay for. A council holding a public park isn't an owner under the Fences Act either; whether that covers a particular reserve depends on who holds it, which Yarra Ranges can tell you. A fence between two houses is different: dividing fences explains the half-share and the notice.

Fire has been through parts of Upwey many times between 1922 and 2009, and the Bushfire Management Overlay covers the whole suburb. Beside a fence built before 10 September 2009 you can clear 4 m, both sides together, without a planning permit. Clearing a fence line has the conditions.

About 2.4% of Upwey is under the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay, and there any fence needs a planning permit.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Wikipedia: Upwey, Victoria, Vicmap Planning, the state's zone and overlay maps (DataVic), measured across the suburb, Fences Act 1968 (Vic), authorised version 072, Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 52.12 (bushfire protection exemptions) and Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 44.04 (Land Subject to Inundation Overlay).

Where Upwey's rule stops

Tecoma

SLO22 as well: a front-fence rule only.

Ferny Creek, Tremont and Sherbrooke

The ranges overlay, SLO1, where any fence needs a permit unless it is under 1.8 m and more than 75% see-through.

Upper Ferntree Gully and Ferntree Gully

Into Knox, whose Neighbourhood Residential schedules set front fences at 1.2 m on most streets and 2 m on a Transport Zone 2 road. Knox's landscape overlays add their own fence tests.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedules to Clause 42.03 (SLO1–6, SLO22, SLO23), Knox Planning Scheme, Clause 32.09 schedules (front fence height) and Knox Planning Scheme, Schedules 2, 3 and 4 to Clause 42.03.