CITY OF SOUTH PERTH
BUILDING SERVICES DEPARTMENT
POLICY P396_T
(FORMERLY POLICY NO. B5)
NOTE:
THIS AND OTHER TOWN PLANNING POLICIES ARE CURRENTLY BEING
REVIEWED. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS POLICY WILL REMAIN IN PLACE UNTIL
THE GAZETTAL OF THE NO. 6 TOWN PLANNING SCHEME IN EARLY 2003, AT
WHICH TIME A RANGE OF MODIFIED POLICIES WILL BE INTRODUCED.
BOUNDARY WALLS - CLASS 1 & 10 BUILDINGS
5.1
Definition
For the purpose of this policy "boundary wall" means a wall of a residence and
attached or detached outbuilding appurtenant to a residential building located on a
side or rear lot boundary.
5.2
Application of the Policy
5.2.1
5.2.2
This policy applies to all boundary walls as defined in Clause 5.1.
In arriving at a decision as to whether or not to approve a boundary wall, the
Council will have due regard to the provisions of this policy.
5.3
Policy Objectives
To promote the use of boundary walls where:

it can be demonstrated that the wall(s) will not have any adverse effect on the
amenity of adjoining residential properties;

the wall complies with the provisions of this policy.
5.4
Policy Provisions
5.4.1 Amenity Provisions
5.4.1.1 Approval will not be granted for a boundary wall if such wall would
adversely affect the amenity of an adjoining lot. In assessing the
effect on amenity, Council will have regard to the effect any proposed
wall would have on:
 the streetscape character and the outlook from the front of an
adjoining dwelling or its front garden, if the proposed wall is
located forward of that adjoining dwelling;
 the amount of daylight being admitted to a habitable room window
on an adjoining lot;
 the amount of winter sunshine being admitted to an area of private
open space on an adjoining lot;
 the amount of glare caused by the wall due to the reflective value
of its surface.
5.4.1.2 Approval will not normally be granted if:
POLICY NO. B5.DOC
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
the amount of daylight to a habitable room window on an adjoining
lot is reduced;
 the amount of sunlight to an area of private open space on an
adjoining lot is reduced to less than 2 hours between 9.00 am and
3.00 pm on June 21. Where existing overshadowing by buildings
and fences is greater than this the sunlight should not be reduced
by more than 20%,
unless the Executive Manager, Technical Services or Manager,
Building Services is satisfied that the proposal would not have a
detrimental effect on the general amenity.
5.4.1.3 All boundary walls are required to be set back at least 4.5 metres from
the street boundary. In some instances, a minimum setback of 6.0
metres will be required as prescribed by Clause 62 and Table No. 5
Scheme Text. In other cases, a greater setback than 6.0 metres may
be required having regard to the relevant provisions of Clause 5.4.1.1.
5.4.1.3 Subject to the provisions of sub-clause 5.4.1.1, a side boundary wall
should not normally exceed the following dimensions:
 walls not exceeding 2.0 metres average height - no limit;
 walls not exceeding 2.5 metres average and 3.5 metres maximum
height - two thirds of the length of any common boundary;
 walls not exceeding 3.0 metres average height and 4.0 metres
maximum height - one quarter the length of any common
boundary.
However, in Council's determination of an application for approval of a
boundary wall, the dominant consideration will always be the amenity
impact of the proposed wall in relation to the amenity factors referred
to in clause 5.4.1.1. Based upon the proper consideration of those
amenity factors, the maximum acceptable dimensions of a proposed
boundary wall may be greater than or less than the dimensions
specified in this clause.
5.4.1.4 In the case of a rear boundary, the appropriate dimensions of a
boundary wall will be determined on the merits of each proposal
assessed against the amenity provisions of sub-clauses 5.4.1.1.
5.4.1.5 Subject to the provisions of sub-clause 5.4.1.1 Council will not
normally approve a boundary wall that exceeds an average height of
3.0 metres and a maximum height of 4.0 metres.
5.4.1.6 Walls will normally only be permitted to abut one side boundary of a
lot. However, the siting of a wall on a side boundary does not preclude
the siting of another wall on the rear boundary of the same lot.
5.4.1.7 The surface of any boundary wall is required to be finished to the
satisfaction of the adjoining neighbour or in the case of a dispute, to
the satisfaction of the
Manager, Building Services.
5.5
Approval Process
5.5.1 Except where the written endorsement of the adjoining neighbour(s) has
already been received, every applicant seeking approval for a boundary wall
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shall serve notice of the application, by certified mail, on the adjoining land
owners giving 14 days for comment.
5.5.2 Where boundary walls are proposed to be located on both the side and rear
boundaries of the lot, the "corner" landowner shall also be consulted in
accordance with the procedure set out in Clause 5.5.1.
5.5.3 In its determination of the application, Council shall have regard to any
submissions received during the 14-day period specified in sub-clause 5.5.1
above, save that the period shall be deemed to have lapsed when
submissions from all owners are received.
5.5.4 Every application for a boundary wall shall be accompanied by:
 proof that the required notification of neighbouring landowners has
commenced;
 plans, elevations and a section of the proposed wall at a scale of 1:100
showing:
the length and height of the proposed wall above natural ground
level;
the relationship between the proposed wall and the adjoining
property, including details of adjoining windows, and areas of private
open space; and
 a shadow diagram showing the effect of the proposed wall on the
adjoining property (when requested by Council).
5.5.5 The Manager, Building Services, or a Council delegated officer, is authorised
to issue the necessary approvals for boundary walls, which conform to the
provisions of this policy. In a case where it is not possible to achieve total
compliance with all the specific provisions of this policy, the relevant Council
officers are authorised to issue the necessary approvals provided the officers
are satisfied that the Policy Objectives stated in Clause 5.3 have been
addressed.
5.5.6 In a case where a proposed boundary wall substantially conflicts with the
specific provisions of this policy and does not fulfil all Policy Objectives, the
Manager, Building Services, or Council delegated officers are authorised to
refuse approval for a proposed boundary wall.
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FEBRUARY 1999