Article summary
Choosing the right fence height to block sightlines while staying within Auckland's council rules.
- Category:
- design
- Read time:
- 3 min
- Published:
- 4 August 2025
- Written by:
- My Homes Fencing Expert
Quick answer: 1.8m is the sweet spot for privacy on most Auckland boundaries — tall enough to block sightlines for someone standing in the neighbouring yard, while still sitting within the 2m limit you can generally build without consent. Where you're overlooked by a two-storey home or a raised deck, stepping up to a taller screen (which may need consent) or adding a slat topper in just that spot works better than raising the whole fence.
The right privacy height isn't just 'as tall as possible' — it's about where the sightlines actually come from, and staying inside the rules. Here's how to get it right.
Why 1.8m Is the Privacy Standard
A 1.8m fence sits above the eye line of an adult standing on the other side, which is why it's the default for private boundaries across Auckland. It blocks the direct ground-level sightlines between neighbouring yards without pushing past the 2m mark, so on most side and rear boundaries you can build it as exempt work with no consent.
Going much lower (say 1.5m) starts to leave the upper body and faces visible across the boundary, while going to a full 2m gains a little extra screening but uses more material. For the majority of level suburban sections, 1.8m is the practical best balance of privacy, cost and compliance.
When You're Overlooked From Above
Privacy height gets more complicated when the intrusion comes from above — a neighbour's second storey, a raised deck, or a sloping section where their ground is higher than yours. No standard-height boundary fence will block a downward sightline from an upstairs window, so simply building taller along the whole boundary is usually the wrong (and expensive) fix.
The smarter approach is targeted screening: a taller privacy screen or slat panel positioned exactly where the overlooking happens — around a hot tub, a deck, or a specific window sightline — rather than lifting the entire fence. Anything over 2m generally needs consent, so we check that before designing the screen.
Staying Within the Rules (and Keeping It Looking Good)
Remember that front and street-facing fences are usually held lower than side and rear boundaries (often around 1–1.5m) to preserve sightlines, so the 1.8m privacy standard mainly applies to side and rear runs. Corner sites and driveways have extra visibility rules worth checking too.
A tall solid fence can also make a small yard feel boxed in, so pairing height with a slatted or louvred upper section, or stepping the height only where needed, keeps privacy without the tunnel effect. We factor both the rules and the feel of the space into what we recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.8m suits most Auckland boundaries — it blocks ground-level sightlines from the neighbouring yard while staying within the 2m limit you can usually build without consent. Where you're overlooked from above, targeted taller screening works better than raising the whole fence.
On most side and rear boundaries, a fence up to 2m is generally exempt building work. Above 2m usually needs consent, and front/street-facing fences are typically limited lower, around 1–1.5m.
A standard boundary fence can't block a downward sightline from above. The fix is targeted screening — a taller privacy screen or slat panel positioned exactly where you're overlooked (deck, spa, window line), which over 2m will generally need consent.
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