Short answer
There is no general legal maximum height for a garden hedge in the UK. But a neighbour can complain under the high hedges rules if an evergreen hedge over 2 metres harms their enjoyment of their home or garden, and hedges must not obstruct roads or pavements.
Many people confuse hedges with fences and walls. Planning rules on boundary height generally apply to fences, walls and gates, not hedges, so check with your local council if you are unsure of your own situation.
When height becomes a legal issue
- Neighbour complaints: see high hedges law (evergreen, over 2 metres, blocking light).
- Highway safety: hedges must not obstruct pavements, roads or sight lines at junctions.
- Covenants or estate rules: your deeds or estate management rules may include height limits.
- Protected trees: trees within a hedge may be protected.
Practical height guidance
| Purpose | Typical height |
|---|---|
| Low formal edging | Up to about 0.5 metres |
| Front garden boundary | Often kept around 1 to 1.5 metres for openness and sight lines |
| Privacy screen | 1.8 to 2 metres is common, and stays under the 2 metre high-hedge threshold |
These are common practice, not legal limits. If your hedge is tall, our guide to reducing hedge height helps.