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Fences, walls, yard care and fireplaces

Rules for fences, walls and privacy screens, yard maintenance, and how to notify and install a fireplace or flue.

Updated:

Please note that all forms, digital applications (e-services) and some linked websites are currently in Swedish. Contact Citizen Service if you need help in English.

Fences, walls and privacy screens – do you need a building permit?

A building permit is required for privacy screens and for walls or kerbs higher than fifty centimeters under the Planning and Building Act.

A building permit is not required for:

  • Fences that are no higher than one hundred and twenty centimeters.
  • Walls and kerbs that are no higher than fifty centimeters.
  • Wire fences and trellises.

For homes with one or two dwellings

You may build a shelter for a patio without a permit if all conditions below are met:

  • The privacy screen or wall is no higher than one point eight meters.
  • It is no more than three point six meters from the dwelling.
  • It is at least four point five meters from the property boundary.
  • If placed closer than four point five meters, you must have written consent from affected neighbours.
    Note: Measures at the boundary must not cause significant inconvenience to neighbours, even if they are permit-exempt.

Definitions in brief

  • Privacy screen: Solid and relatively heavy visual barrier.
  • Fence: Lighter barrier no higher than one hundred and twenty centimeters with at least thirty-three percent open area. Higher fences are treated as privacy screens.
  • Wire fence or trellis: Very open barrier with at least sixty percent open area.
  • Wall: Solid, heavy structure, freestanding or retaining soil or stones, higher than fifty centimeters.
  • Kerb: Solid structure retaining soil or stones, lower than fifty centimeters.

How height and openness are measured

  • Height is measured from the existing ground level to the highest point of the structure. This applies even when a fence stands on top of a retaining wall.
  • Open area is calculated where the fence is most regular. You cannot raise a top rail to make the fence appear more open.

Placement at the property boundary

If you build on or directly at the boundary, make a written agreement. A private easement can be registered so it remains valid for future owners.

Yard care and vegetation

Keep the yard so that it does not cause significant inconvenience to neighbours or traffic and so that risks of accidents are limited. This follows the Planning and Building Act and the Land Code.

Mowing and upkeep

  • In residential areas where yards and verges meet, mow the grass at least once per month during the growing season.
  • As a property owner, trim bushes and trees that extend into the neighbour’s yard.

Plant at a suitable distance

  • Plant larger bushes and trees at least two meters inside the boundary.
  • Plant hedges and smaller bushes at least sixty centimeters inside the boundary.

Sight lines and free height by a street

  • At a driveway, vegetation within the sight triangle must be lower than eighty centimeters. Keep a clear view at least two point five meters from the street or footway.
  • On a corner lot, vegetation must be lower than eighty centimeters within a sight triangle that extends at least ten meters in each direction.
  • Hedges and bushes must grow within your own property.
  • Keep free height above a footway of at least two point five meters, above a cycle path at least three point two meters, and above a carriageway at least four point six meters.

Install a fireplace or flue – notification and decisions

You must notify the municipality before you install or make a substantial alteration to a fireplace or a flue in a building.

What your notification must include

  • For a fireplace: A floor plan showing the exact location of the fireplace.
  • For a flue: An elevation drawing showing the location of the chimney and the height of the chimney above the roof ridge.

Start clearance, inspection and final clearance

  • Do not start installation before you have received a start clearance from the municipality.
  • If you install a fireplace or flue without notification and start clearance, a sanction fee may be charged under the Planning and Building Ordinance, Chapter nine, Section nineteen.
  • After installation, the system must be inspected and approved by a certified chimney sweep.
  • When the chimney sweep has approved the installation, apply for a final clearance from the municipality. Do not use the installation before you have received the final clearance.

Do you want to access a specific document? Contact Citizen Service, and we will help you retrieve and read the full document.

Contact

Environment and Building Department

E-mail: mob@boden.se

Phone: +46 921 620 00