Fence Rules in the City of Stirling – What You Need to Know Before You Start

Stirling is one of the bigger councils in Perth and covers everything from the coast at Scarborough right through to the character streets of Mount Lawley. That means the fencing rules vary depending on where exactly the property is. This guide covers the fencing rules across the City of Stirling – including the heritage areas, corner lots, the Scarborough redevelopment precinct, and what materials the council will and won't accept.

We've pulled this from the City's Street Walls and Fences Information Sheet, the Fencing Local Law 2008, LPS3 Policy Manual, and the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes). It was current as at March 2026, but council rules do get updated – always confirm with the City's planning team before you start work.

Front Fence Rules – The Basics

These apply across the City of Stirling on standard residential lots (outside the heritage protection area).

Solid fencing can go up to 1.2 metres above natural ground level. Above that, the fence has to be visually permeable – meaning it needs gaps that allow a clear line of sight through the fence.

Total height for a front fence is 1.8 metres, including the permeable section. Piers can be solid up to 1.8 metres but can't exceed 400mm x 400mm in horizontal dimension.

If your front fence meets all of those requirements, you don't need development approval. Exceed any one of them and you'll need to lodge a development application (DA).

What "visually permeable" actually means

This gets quoted wrong a lot, so here's the actual definition from the R-Codes:

• If your gaps are 50mm or wider, at least one-third of the total fence surface needs to be open space.
• If your gaps are narrower than 50mm, at least half the total fence surface needs to be open.

In practical terms, a standard picket fence with evenly spaced pickets and gaps will comfortably meet these requirements. If you're using a slatted or louvre-style design with narrower gaps, you'll need to check that the 50% open rule is met.

The City of Stirling also publishes a slat-and-gap size guide, which makes it straightforward to check compliance:

For contractors: measure the gaps and calculate the total surface area ratio before you quote. Getting this wrong means a rejected DA or a fence that has to come down.

Driveway sightlines

Within a 1.5 metre x 1.5 metre triangle on each side of where your driveway meets the street boundary, no part of the fence – including pillars or posts – can be higher than 750mm. Alternatively, the fence can be truncated so it doesn't protrude into the sightline area at all. This is a safety requirement and the council enforces it.

Street setback areas by zoning

The front fence rules apply within the primary street setback area (the area between your front boundary and the main building line), and the setback distance depends on your property's zoning:

You can find your property's zoning by entering your address into the City's Address and Application Assistant on the City of Stirling website.

Corner Lots – Secondary Street Fencing

If your property is on a corner, the secondary street side (the side street) has a two-part rule:

• First 20% of the boundary length, measured from the truncation or corner, must be low or visually permeable. This keeps sightlines clear for drivers.
• Remaining 80% of the boundary can be solid up to 1.8 metres.
• Piers on the secondary street can go up to 2.0 metres.

The City specifies that secondary street fencing should be predominantly masonry with a finish consistent with the dwelling, and the same material restrictions apply – no profiled sheet metal, brushwood, timberlap, or corrugated fibre cement.

For contractors quoting corner lots: the 20/80 split is the key thing to get right. Measure the full boundary length, calculate the first 20% from the truncation, and make sure that section is either low enough or permeable. The remaining 80% gives you a lot more flexibility.

Side and Rear Fences

Away from the front of the property, the rules are more straightforward:

• Maximum height: 1.8 metres above natural ground level.
• No development approval needed for standard dividing fences (non-masonry, up to 1.8 metres).
• No building permit needed for non-masonry dividing fences up to 1.8 metres.
• Masonry fences (brick, block, stone) need a building permit once they go above 750mm.

Side and rear fences are governed by the City's Fencing Local Law 2008, which defines what a "sufficient fence" is for residential lots. A sufficient fence is 1.8 metres high and can be timber, fibre cement or steel sheeting, brick/stone/concrete, or a composite of masonry piers with infill panels – all built to the specifications in Schedule 1 of the local law.

If a dividing fence exceeds 1.8 metres, you'll need agreement from the adjoining neighbour and may need a building permit.

Heritage Areas – Mount Lawley, Menora, and Inglewood

The City of Stirling's Heritage Protection Special Control Area covers three suburbs: Mount Lawley, Menora, and Inglewood. These are the only suburbs with heritage-specific fencing restrictions.

If you're working in Scarborough, Trigg, Karrinyup, Doubleview, Watermans Bay, or North Beach – you're in the clear. Standard R-Codes front fence rules apply in all of those suburbs. There's a Scarborough-Trigg Heritage Trail celebrating natural and cultural history, but it doesn't impose any fencing restrictions.

What the heritage rules mean for fencing

Within the Heritage Protection Area, or on any individually heritage-listed property:

• All front fences require development approval – even if they meet the standard height and permeability rules.
• Solid fencing on the front boundary can't exceed 750mm in height.
• Fencing must be constructed of high-quality materials such as masonry and be consistent with the heritage character of the area.
• The City's Local Planning Policy 3.1 – Character Retention Guidelines for Mount Lawley, Menora and Inglewood – sets out the detailed requirements.

For side and rear fences on heritage properties, the standard 1.8 metre dividing fence rules apply as normal – the heritage controls are focused on what's visible from the street.

Individual heritage listings

The City of Stirling has 641 heritage-listed places in total, with 20 on the State Register of Heritage Places. Individual properties outside the Heritage Protection Area can still be heritage-listed, so it's always worth checking. You can look up your property using the City's Address and Application Assistant online.

Scarborough Redevelopment Precinct

The Scarborough beachfront precinct was originally managed by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and has since been brought back under the City of Stirling's planning responsibility.

The key thing for fencing: there are no separate fencing rules for the Scarborough precinct. The standard City of Stirling requirements apply – 1.2 metres solid, visually permeable above that, 1.8 metres maximum, same material restrictions as everywhere else.

The difference is that properties in the Scarborough precinct often have higher-density zoning (R60, R80, or above), which means the front setback area is smaller. An R80 lot only has a 1 metre setback, so the front fence rules apply over a much shorter distance than they would on a standard suburban block.

Pool Fencing

Pool barriers in the City of Stirling follow the statewide rules under the Building Act 2011 and Australian Standard AS 1926.1:

• Minimum barrier height: 1.2 metres from finished ground level on the outside of the pool area (the statewide standard under AS 1926.1). Where a boundary fence is used as the pool barrier, the minimum height is 1.8 metres measured on the inside of the barrier. If an above-ground pool wall forms part of the barrier, the wall itself needs to be at least 1.2 metres with no climbable projections.
• Non-climbable zone: 900mm from the top of the fence on the inside of the barrier. No climbable objects within this zone.
• Gate: self-closing, self-latching, latch at least 1.5 metres above ground, must open outward (away from the pool).
• Ground clearance: the gap between the ground and the lowest horizontal member can't exceed 100mm.
• Vertical member spacing: can't exceed 100mm.
• A building permit is always required before installing a pool or spa barrier.
• The City inspects pool barriers at least once every four years.

If a pool fence also serves as a front fence (facing the street), it has to meet both the pool barrier requirements and the standard front fence planning rules – height, permeability, and materials.

Materials – What's Allowed and What's Banned

This is where the City of Stirling rules work in PVC's favour.

The following materials are banned for front fencing in Stirling:

• Profiled sheet metal (that includes standard Colorbond-style sheeting)
• Brushwood
• Timberlap
• Corrugated fibre cement

PVC is not on that list. PVC fencing that meets the height and visual permeability requirements is an accepted material for front fencing in the City of Stirling.

That's a genuine advantage for anyone planning a front fence in suburbs like Scarborough, Doubleview, or Karrinyup. If you want a solid-looking front fence up to 1.2 metres with picket above, PVC gives you that option where profiled sheet metal can't be used at all.

For side and rear fences, materials must meet the specifications in Schedule 1 of the Fencing Local Law 2008 or be approved in writing by the City. Across all locations, asbestos and broken glass are prohibited, and barbed wire isn't permitted on or next to residential lots.

When Do You Need Planning Approval?

You don't need a DA for:

• Front fences that comply with all of the standard rules – solid up to 1.2 metres, visually permeable above, 1.8 metres maximum, piers no more than 400mm x 400mm
• Side and rear boundary fences up to 1.8 metres (non-masonry)

You do need a DA for:

• Front fences where the solid portion exceeds 1.2 metres
• Front fences exceeding 1.8 metres overall
• Front fences that aren't visually permeable above 1.2 metres
• Piers exceeding 400mm x 400mm in horizontal dimension
• Any front fence on a property in the Heritage Protection Area (Mount Lawley, Menora, Inglewood)
• Any front fence on an individually heritage-listed property

Fees

The "deemed-to-comply" check (a confirmation that your fence meets the standard rules) at $73 is the cheaper option if your fence meets all the standard requirements and you just want written confirmation from the council. If you need to vary any of the rules – height, permeability, materials – you'll need the full DA at $147.

Processing time: The City has 60 days to determine an application under the planning regulations, but fence applications are typically processed faster than that.

Building permits

Separate from development approval, a building permit is required for masonry street walls or fences above 750mm. Non-masonry dividing fences up to 1.8 metres don't need a building permit. PVC fencing up to 1.8 metres falls into that category – no building permit required.

The Coastal Angle

The City of Stirling includes some of Perth's most popular beachside suburbs – Scarborough, Trigg, North Beach, Watermans Bay, Doubleview, and Karrinyup are all within a few kilometres of the coast. Salt air is a daily reality for properties in these areas, and it takes a toll on fencing materials over time.

PVC handles coastal conditions well. It doesn't rust, it doesn't corrode, and there's no coating to scratch through. Metal fencing in coastal areas will eventually show rust spots where the coating is damaged – near the ocean, that can happen within a few years. Timber in salt air needs regular treatment and still deteriorates.

Given that the City of Stirling bans profiled sheet metal from front fences anyway, PVC becomes an even more practical option for coastal properties. You get a clean, solid-looking fence that meets the council requirements and handles the salt air without ongoing maintenance.

What This Means for PVC Fencing in Stirling

Here's a quick summary of how the rules above translate to actual product choices for properties in the City of Stirling:

Front fences (standard areas):
PVC privacy fencing – that's Hampton's Privacy or Hampton's Semi Privacy – works up to 1.2 metres for the solid section. Above that, PVC picket fencing meets the visual permeability requirements and can take the fence to the full 1.8 metres. The combination of a solid base with picket above is a clean look that complies with Stirling's rules. And because PVC isn't on the banned materials list, you have an option that profiled sheet metal doesn't give you.

Front fences (heritage areas – Mount Lawley, Menora, Inglewood):
The solid limit drops to 750mm in the Heritage Protection Area, so PVC picket fencing is the natural choice for front boundaries. Federation, Colonial, and Hampton picket styles suit the character of these older suburbs and meet the permeability requirements. You'll need a DA regardless of whether the fence complies, so factor in the $147 fee and processing time.

Corner lots (secondary street):
The first 20% from the truncation needs to be low or permeable – PVC picket works well for this section. The remaining 80% can be solid PVC privacy fencing up to 1.8 metres, with piers to 2.0 metres. This gives you a good combination of privacy and streetscape compliance.

Side and rear fences:
PVC privacy fencing up to 1.8 metres – no DA needed, no building permit needed. This is where most residential PVC fencing goes in Stirling.

Pool surrounds:
PVC is an accepted material for pool barriers. It meets the minimum 1.2 metre height requirement (or 1.8 metres where a boundary fence doubles as the pool barrier) and handles pool chemicals (chlorine, salt) without corroding or staining the way metal fencing can.

Scarborough precinct:
Same rules as everywhere else in Stirling. The higher-density zoning just means smaller setback areas. PVC gives you a front fence option that meets the requirements in a suburb where profiled sheet metal is banned and salt air is a factor year-round.

Before You Quote – Checklist for Contractors

1. Check the property's zoning. Use the City's Address and Application Assistant to find the R-Code. This tells you the setback distance, which determines where front fence rules apply.
2. Check if the property is heritage-listed. If it's in Mount Lawley, Menora, or Inglewood, it may be in the Heritage Protection Area. Individual properties anywhere in Stirling can also be on the Heritage List. Either way, you'll need a DA for any front fence.
3. Check for corner lot rules. If it's a corner block, you need the 20/80 split on the secondary street – first 20% low or permeable, remaining 80% can be solid to 1.8 metres.
4. Measure for permeability. Know the gap widths and surface area ratios before you specify a product. The City's slat-and-gap guide makes this straightforward.
5. Check the banned materials list. No profiled sheet metal, brushwood, timberlap, or corrugated fibre cement on front fences. PVC is fine.
6. Factor in the DA if needed. $73 for a deemed-to-comply check, $147 for a full DA. Let the customer know upfront.
7. Confirm with the council. If there's any doubt, call the City on (08) 9205 8555 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm). It takes five minutes and can save you a rejected application.

Before You Start – Checklist for Homeowners

1. Work out if your property is heritage-listed by searching the City's Address and Application Assistant on stirling.wa.gov.au or calling the planning team.
2. Know your front fence limits – 1.2 metres solid in standard areas, 750mm solid in the Heritage Protection Area (Mount Lawley, Menora, Inglewood). Total height is 1.8 metres in both cases.
3. If you need a DA, the application fee is $73 for a deemed-to-comply check or $147 for a full development application.
4. For side and rear fences, you can generally go up to 1.8 metres without any approval (non-masonry materials).
5. Talk to your neighbours before you start, especially for boundary fences. Under the Dividing Fences Act, you generally share the cost equally for a "sufficient fence" – which in Stirling is a 1.8 metre fence built to the specifications in the local law. If you and your neighbour can't agree, the City offers a free mediation service through the Citizens Advice Bureau.
6. If you want an installer who knows the product, we can connect you with an experienced local contractor who works with PVC fencing regularly. Give us a call or organise an installer through the website.

Dividing Fence Disputes

Dividing fence disagreements are common, and the City of Stirling provides a clear process for resolving them:

1. Talk to your neighbour first – the City recommends verbal communication followed up in writing.
2. Give formal notice – if you want a different type of fence, provide the adjoining owner with a written notice describing the kind and extent of fence to be built.
3. Mediation – the City funds a mediation service through the Citizens Advice Bureau (cabwa.com.au/mediation-service), available to all Stirling residents and ratepayers.
4. Magistrates Court – if mediation doesn't resolve it, either party can apply to the Magistrates Court for an order regarding construction, repair, or cost-sharing.

One thing to be aware of: if your property backs onto City-owned land (a road, right-of-way, path, or reserve), the Dividing Fences Act doesn't apply. You're responsible for the full cost of that fence.

Contact the City of Stirling

This guide is based on the City of Stirling's Street Walls and Fences Information Sheet, Fencing Local Law 2008, Local Planning Scheme No. 3, and the WA Residential Design Codes as at March 2026. Council rules can change – always confirm with the City's planning team before you start work. Probuild PVC Fencing is not a planning authority and this is general guidance only.