How Fence Design Shapes Safer Driveways

Driveway zones are busy spots, with people walking, children playing, cars reversing. That’s why the way you fence it matters more than most realise. Smart design choices like stepping the fence back, lowering heights near driveways, or using permeable panels can improve safety without compromising on appearance. At Boundaryline, we’ve worked on a range of projects where these techniques help achieve both compliance and clarity at the boundary.

Key Factors to Consider

When designing fencing around driveways, a few simple considerations can make a big difference to everyday safety and access. Visibility is of high importance and fences should allow drivers to see and be seen by pedestrians, especially when reversing. For family homes, it’s also highly important to prevent children from running directly from the yard onto the driveway or road. This might mean using a child-safe gate with a latch that’s out of reach for little hands, or adjusting fence placement near entry points.

If neighbouring driveways sit side by side, leaving enough space between the fence and the vehicle path helps avoid damage and makes it easier to manoeuvre. Front fencing should support privacy without blocking views to the street. To achieve this, permeable panels or lowered fence heights near the boundary can maintain a sense of openness while still defining the space. Planning rules often allow for several options when it comes to fence height and style, including full height permeable panels or a combination of heights across the front boundary. Always check with your local council for the specific requirements in your area.

To bring these ideas to life, here are some of the design strategies we often recommend using Boundaryline systems to improve visibility, safety, and usability.

Lowering Fence Height Near Driveway

Gently sloping or raking the fence line down as it nears a driveway entrance improves visibility for both drivers and pedestrians. This is especially useful where properties meet the footpath or street. Our ColourPanel and SmartWall systems have often been used this way to create safer, clearer access points without disrupting the overall look of the boundary. 

Stepping the Fence Line Back

Pulling the fence in slightly from the front boundary can open up sightlines and reduce blind spots. This approach was used in our Orkney St project using SmartWall to provide a more open feel while still maintaining privacy and security further along the boundary.

Choosing Permeable Fencing

Fences don’t always need to be solid to be effective. Using a permeable panel style like our SleekWall Horizontal Slat fencing, as seen in our Kenepuru Landing project, allows visibility through the panel while still defining the edge of the property. It’s a smart choice for corner sites or shared driveways where safety and communication between neighbours matters.

Recessing Fencing with Landscaping

Setting the fence back into the property and combining it with planting can soften the boundary and prevent young children from running directly onto driveways. Our Diamond Ave project shows how combining recessed fencing with thoughtful landscaping adds both safety and visual appeal.

Let’s Talk Driveway Fencing

Whether you’re designing for visibility, protecting young children, or simply making day to day access easier, the right fence design will make all the difference. At Boundaryline, we can help you find the best solution for your project. If you’re in the planning stages and want to talk through the best fencing options for your projects, our team is here to help. Give us a call on 0800 006 006 or reach out via our Contact Form.