The Dividing Fences Act 1991 (The Act) says that you must talk to your neighbour about any building, fixing or replacing of a dividing fence. The Act requires adjoining property owners contribute to the carrying out fencing work along a common boundary line. 

There are several ways you can contact your neighbour: 

• If the person is an owner-occupier, you should speak with them directly, or write to them. 
• If the property is rented out to tenants, ask the tenant to give you information about the owner or managing agent. 
• You can apply to council, using the Dividing fence information application to obtain the contact details of your neighbouring property owner. This can only be done if the purpose is to serve written notice in accordance with The Act. 

The landowners’ details cannot be retained, copied or disseminated for unrelated purposes. 

You will need to keep this information secure and only use it for advising and serving of fencing matters. 

A dividing fence may not need planning approval (known as an Exempt Development) if they meet the relevant development standards set out in the State Environment Planning Policy(2008) 

Check if you need approval to build your fence.  

You can also find out more about Exempt Development via the Planning Approval portal  

We do not play a role in dividing fence disputes between neighbours. 

You can get information on dividing fences and dispute resolution from  Law Access NSW. They have information on: 

• Who should pay 
• The type of fence 
• Where should the fence go 

You can get advice from the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). 

Press Apply online button to start the registration process, you will be asked to make a payment to complete lodgement. 

Payments can be made by MasterCard or Visa which incur a service fee of 0.5% 

Download and print the Dividing Fence information application, and lodge the completed form to any of our Customer Service Centres. 

There are no fees and charges.

You may be contacted for further information once your application is received  

If you have any questions, contact on 1300 581 299 Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 5pm.