Do I need a planning permit for a front fence in Greater Bendigo's Neighbourhood Residential Zone?
Last checked 7 July 2026
Under Greater Bendigo's planning scheme, none of the 4 Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ) schedules add an extra planning permit requirement for a front fence beyond the zone's general provisions. Where a front fence height standard applies, it isn't the same across the whole zone: NRZ2 sets: "A front fence within 3 metres of a street should not exceed 1.2 metres in height." NRZ3 sets: "Maximum height of 1.2 m." NRZ1 and NRZ4 don't set a different figure from the general Clause 54/55 standard.
This describes what Greater Bendigo's planning scheme generally states, as last checked by PolicyPing. It isn't a site-specific assessment or a substitute for advice from a licensed practitioner. For your specific address, see ReefReport. Read the full methodology.
The general rule
The general rule works like this: a front fence is a form of development, but the Neighbourhood Residential Zone's own permit-trigger provisions don't add a fence-specific permit requirement in any of Greater Bendigo's 4 local schedules. Whether a permit is otherwise required, and what height standard applies once one is, depends on which schedule covers the specific address:
- NRZ1 (Settlement Interface) doesn't set a different front fence height figure from the general standard.
- NRZ2 (Eaglehawk Landfill and Transfer Station Buffer Areas) sets an explicit front fence height standard: “A front fence within 3 metres of a street should not exceed 1.2 metres in height”.
- NRZ3 (Marong - Residential Areas) sets an explicit front fence height standard: “Maximum height of 1.2 m”.
- NRZ4 (Heathcote Residential Areas) doesn't set a different front fence height figure from the general standard.
Exemptions and variations
Works of this type are generally exempt from needing a schedule-specific fence permit under the zone itself. This page covers the Neighbourhood Residential Zone only — a property that also carries an overlay (for example a Heritage Overlay) can be subject to additional, separate controls on fences that this page doesn't cover; see PolicyPing's Greater Bendigo Heritage Overlay guide for that overlay's own rules.
What happens next
To work out what generally applies: identify which of the 4 NRZ schedules covers the address (via the Greater Bendigo planning scheme map), check whether any other overlay also applies to the same land, and confirm the applicable front fence height standard. For an address-specific answer, use ReefReport below.
Frequently asked questions
What is the general front fence height limit if a schedule doesn't set one?
Where a local NRZ schedule doesn't set its own figure, the general Clause 54/55 neighbourhood character standard for front fence height applies instead.
Does this apply to side and rear fences too?
This page covers the front fence height standard specifically (Clause 54/55's A2-7/B2-8 standard, which applies to a front fence within 3 metres of a street). Side and rear fences are generally treated differently and aren't covered by this standard.
Which Neighbourhood Residential Zone schedule applies to my address in Greater Bendigo?
Greater Bendigo has 4 local NRZ schedules covering different parts of the municipality (NRZ1, NRZ2, NRZ3, NRZ4). Which one applies depends on the specific address — check the planning scheme map, or use ReefReport for a site-specific check.
What if my property also has a Heritage Overlay?
A property with both the Neighbourhood Residential Zone and an overlay such as the Heritage Overlay can be subject to the overlay's own separate fence controls, in addition to whatever the zone schedule sets. Check the applicable overlay schedule as well.