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Brisbane · Building on your lot

Fences and walls in Brisbane

Brisbane limits fences in required setbacks, front included, to 6 feet, or as low as 3 feet where visibility would be affected.

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Key points

  • Fence height: Brisbane limits fences in required setbacks, front included, to 6 feet, or as low as 3 feet where visibility would be affected.

Each rule below links to the section of the Brisbane Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Brisbane's code says

Brisbane code What Brisbane's code adds
Corner visibility
  • Fences, hedges and walls must be lowered, but to no less than 3 feet.
    Applies: Where the director of public works finds that visibility would be affected.
    § 17.32.050 · code text
    Where the director of public works determines that visibility would be affected, the height of fences, hedges and walls shall be reduced to not less than three (3) feet.
Height anywhere on the lot
  • No more than 6 feet.
    Applies: Fences, hedges and walls in any required setback, in any district, unless the code says otherwise; lower where visibility is affected.
    § 17.32.050 · code text
    Unless otherwise provided elsewhere in this title, fences, hedges and walls not exceeding six (6) feet in height may be constructed in any district within any required setback area, except as follows:
Front yard height
  • No more than 6 feet.
    Applies: Fences, hedges and walls in a required front setback, under the general rule.
    § 17.32.050 · code text
    Unless otherwise provided elsewhere in this title, fences, hedges and walls not exceeding six (6) feet in height may be constructed in any district within any required setback area, except as follows:
Side and rear yard height
  • No more than 6 feet.
    Applies: Fences, hedges and walls in required side and rear setbacks, under the general rule.
    § 17.32.050 · code text
    Fence heights may exceed six (6) feet through the addition of up to two (2) feet of wooden lattice on top within the required side and rear setbacks in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-BA and NCRO-2 districts, but not within the front setback required per the district's development regulations.
  • Up to 2 feet of wooden lattice may be added on top of a 6-foot fence.
    Applies: Required side and rear setbacks in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-BA and NCRO-2 districts; not in the front setback.
    § 17.32.050 · code text
    Fence heights may exceed six (6) feet through the addition of up to two (2) feet of wooden lattice on top within the required side and rear setbacks in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-BA and NCRO-2 districts, but not within the front setback required per the district's development regulations.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Brisbane?

Brisbane limits fences in required setbacks, front included, to 6 feet, or as low as 3 feet where visibility would be affected.

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Brisbane's fences and walls rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Brisbane Municipal Code — full text