Siting dispensation – Front fences or boundary setbacks application

The building regulations do allow for some flexibility in the siting of buildings and fencing heights.

Dispensations are assessed against the Minister's Guideline MG-12, with the objective of ensuring that the proposed variation respects the existing or preferred character of the neighbourhood and is consistent with the heights, setbacks and design of existing fences and buildings in the immediate area.

For more information see Siting requirements

See fees and charges

Update - September 2025

On 8 September 2025, the Minister for Planning removed local variations to Clause 54 standards from the Schedules of all residential zones, across all Victorian Planning Schemes. For the local variations in Maroondah, this means that the Side and rear setbacks standard (regulation 79) and the Private open space requirements (regulation 86) relating to the construction of a Single Dwelling on a lot have been removed. The standards relating to front fence heights still remain in the Schedules to the zone.

The removal of these variations from the Schedule means that the applicable standards now apply as stated in Part 5 of the Building Regulations 2018. If your proposal is designed in accordance with the Regulations in Part 5 of the Building Regulations 2018, a Report and consent application is not required.

Apply

Apply here for a dispensation for fencing height or boundary setbacks. For any other siting dispensation, please use the general dispensation application.