Fencing in Mooroolbark

Most streets: SLO23, with no fence rule

Two thirds of Mooroolbark is suburban housing, and almost every house block in its Neighbourhood and General Residential streets is under SLO23. That landscape overlay says nothing about fences, so for most homes the question is the building rules, not planning.

Yarra Ranges' zones set no front-fence height, so within 3 m of the street a fence over 1.5 m (1.2 m in brick or concrete) needs a building permit. A side or back fence up to 2 m needs no building permit. The General Residential streets are also under DDO8, whose guidelines ask for front fences under 1.2 m and 75% see-through. If DDO8 is on your report, ask the council how it treats a new front fence.

Your VicPlan property report lists the overlays on your lot.

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 43.02 (DDOs) and Building Regulations 2018 (Vic), authorised version 031.

Bickleigh Vale and the larger blocks

The low-density blocks are under SLO22 instead, where a front fence needs a planning permit unless it is under 1.2 m or more than 75% see-through. Among them is Bickleigh Vale, a garden subdivision of about 10 hectares on the Victorian Heritage Register (H2053) and in the Heritage Overlay as HO75. In a Heritage Overlay a fence that can be seen from a street or a public park needs a planning permit, so in the Vale talk to the council before any front fence goes up.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Wikipedia: Mooroolbark, 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 43.01 (Heritage Overlay) and Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedule to Clause 43.01 (heritage places).

Sharing the cost with the neighbour

With more than 23,000 people on 13 km², most Mooroolbark fences divide one backyard from another. Under the Fences Act each owner pays half of a sufficient fence, and work starts by agreement or after a fencing notice. Dividing fences has the steps. If the old fence is leaning or broken, fence repairs covers urgent work.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Wikipedia: Mooroolbark, Fences Act 1968 (Vic), authorised version 072 and Victorian Government: fencing notice (and the standard and urgent notice forms).

The green wedge edge

About a tenth of the suburb is green wedge land under SLO6, where a fence needs a planning permit unless it is rural post and open-weave wire under 1.8 m. Some of it is under ESO1 as well. ESO1's fence wording is ambiguous, so if it is on your report, ask Yarra Ranges' planning team.

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) and Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedules to Clause 42.01 (ESO1, ESO2).

Across the suburb line

Lilydale

Its streets split about evenly between SLO23 and SLO22.

Chirnside Park

The same SLO23 streets, with more green wedge beyond them.

Checked 25 October 2026 against Vicmap Planning, the state's zone and overlay maps (DataVic), measured across the suburb and Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedules to Clause 42.03 (SLO1–6, SLO22, SLO23).