Height limits
- 1m next to a road used by vehicles, or the pavement beside it
- 2m elsewhere
- Trellis on top counts towards the height
Which council?
| Area | Planning |
|---|---|
| Crawley town and its neighbourhoods | Crawley Borough Council |
| Kilnwood Vale, Rusper | Horsham District Council |
| Pease Pottage, Crawley Down, Copthorne | Mid Sussex District Council |
| Horley | Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (Surrey) |
Conservation areas
Crawley has a number of conservation areas, including Ifield Village, the High Street, Brighton Road, Worth, St Peter's, Hazelwick Road, Forestfield and Shrublands, Dyers Almshouses, Malthouse Road, Sunnymead Flats and Southgate Neighbourhood Centre, with Queens Square and The Broadway and Gossops Green Neighbourhood Centre added in 2022. Normal fence heights usually still apply, but check before removing an old wall or changing a frontage.
Open plan front gardens
Many of Crawley's new town neighbourhoods and newer estates were built with open plan fronts. Some deeds include covenants that stop front fences or hedges. Check yours before fencing a front garden.
Council and housing association homes
Crawley Borough Council is a large landlord. If you rent from the council, you need written permission from your Crawley Homes area surveyor before putting up or changing a fence. Housing association tenants should check with their landlord.
Shared fences
- Your deeds may show which boundaries you are responsible for
- The "good side" facing out is a courtesy, not a law
- Agree work with your neighbour first
Common questions
Can I replace a fence like for like without permission?
Usually yes, within the height limits, unless your home is listed or you are a council tenant.
Can I put a fence on top of a wall?
Yes, but the combined height counts towards the limit.
Check with: Crawley Borough Council planning · Horsham District Council · Mid Sussex District Council