Fencing is important when constructing your home. It is important to get the ideal placement, so it doesn’t affect your neighbors. Frequently, neighbors in newly constructed homes will have fences built, giving your yard a mismatched appearance. This will make it difficult for you to construct your fence without violating the rules.
The most obvious question is: can I build a fence next to my neighbor’s fence? Understanding specific legislation is essential because fencing may be highly confusing. Here we have provided answers to the top frequently asked questions to help you understand the fencing laws.
Can I Put Up a Fence Next to My Neighbor’s Fence?
Landowners ensure that their new fence is tilted to the existing fence post. Yes, you can always construct close to the fence of your neighbor, but you must be on your property line. Constructing a staggered fence posting prevents damage to already-existing piers.
The goal is to position your fence as near to the current one as you can. Staggering may not always be an option due to the conditions at the corners. If so, you’ll need to build a little further out from your property line to avoid interfering with the piers of the current fence.
It is advisable to build as far into your property as you can to ensure that the fence you are constructing is on your property. To determine the precise location of your property lines, you can also engage a land surveyor. You shouldn’t encounter any legal problems in the future if your fence is on your land.
Two Fences on Property Line: Is it Legal?
While it is possible to place two fences back-to-back, it is not legal to erect a fence next to each other on the same property line. A small space between the two fences is typically required by law to allow for adequate maintenance. Erecting two fences on a property line is not legal, especially in the US and Canada.
However, a landowner should ensure it doesn’t pass its property line. Then it would make sense to speak with your neighbor before erecting a fence.
As long as it is agreed upon, you can frequently construct the fence immediately on a property line that is shared with another person. You might not be allowed to construct a structure right on a property line that you share with a public entity. You might have to move back a bit on the fence.
Can a Fence Be Put Right on the Property Line?
The property line must be accurately marked in all scenarios. If you plan to erect a fence on a property line, you need a qualified building expert and surveyor to help you measure the lines. So it is, therefore, very important to do your evaluations properly before mounting your fence on a property line.
Most fence placement regulations along property lines call for a 2 to 8 inches gap. Your particular local laws will determine the precise number. Building a fence a full 12 inches away from the property boundary will guarantee that you go by nearly all regulations and will make you entirely protected.
While it is possible to build directly on the property line, it is not safe, especially if your property line is against a publicly owned property. It might be difficult to leave space from your property line. However, it is a safer option.
Can My Neighbor Build a Fence on the Property Line?
Anyone can build a fence on the property line as long as they are on their property. While there might be altercations to this, the fact remains that building on a property line isn’t illegal. Your fence can be considered unlawful, and you may have to remove it if your fence goes beyond the property line and it blocks your neighbors.
You should find out if your area has municipal restrictions that govern how close a fence can be erected. In order to address safety issues, local authorities frequently set restrictions on the placement and height of fences.
While the distance a fence must be from the property line is governed differently in some places, it is safer to ensure that your fence is between 2 to 8 inches from your property line.
Also, neighbors should discuss how the fence should be constructed in places where it is legal to erect fences along the property lines.
You will equally be liable for the maintenance of the structure as your neighbors are normally responsible for fences along boundary lines.
Gap Between Neighbor’s Fences: How Can I Fill the Gap?
There are several ways you can fill the gap between your fences if you want to do so. The thing is that there are things you can do yourself. Some basic domestic things like utilizing durable weed wackers, gravel fill, and shared fences. These few can go a long way in filling
Below are a few:
1. Use a weed wacker
A weed wacker is a good option to consider if you want to fill the gap in between both fences. However, you need to ensure that the weeds won’t grow to affect the appearance of your fence.
2. Fill and level with Gravel
While filling in the gaps between faces with various plants or shrubs is ideal, you can also use gravel.
Regardless of the gaps you have to deal with, sharing a fence with a neighbor is not bad. In the end, it is simpler to construct a shared fence with your neighbor.
3. Leveraging on a shared fence
A shared fence allows you to split the expenditures and eliminates the need to maintain difficult-to-reach areas.
Should There Be Gaps in a Fence?-Reasons
While fences are built for safety measures and privacy, the gaps often make homeowners feel exposed. Some important reasons include Air flow, wind resistance, expansion of limits, etc. These few can go a long way in filling.
Below are a few:
1. For Air Flow
Fences include openings to allow air to flow around the area they surround. Better wind resistance is also made possible by spacing your fence boards with gaps, which allow the wind to travel through the fence without overwhelming it.
2. For Board Expansion
The gaps in between the fence are needed to help secure the board when it expands. Wooden boards can swell and expand when exposed to moisture. A fence builder needs to be aware of this inescapable natural occurrence.
Leaving intervals between your planks so the wood can expand will help protect your fence. When there is not enough room for the board to expand, it will affect the appearance of your fence.
3. Strong Resistance to Wind
Your fences can resist wind effects if there are gaps between the fence planks. Gaps allow air to slip through, preventing your barrier from fully absorbing the force of the wind pushing on it.
Additionally, it reduces the amount of wind that enters your area, protecting your surroundings. Without gaps, your fence may be less wind-resistant and restrict optimum ventilation on your land.
How Close to the Neighbors Can I Build a Fence?
You can build your fence close to your neighbors. However, the measurement is a requirement you don’t want to get wrong. In most places, fences are erected somewhere between 2 and 8 inches from a property line. But the standard measurement in the US and Canada is 5 inches, although there could be exceptions.
You may construct close to your neighbor’s fence as long as you’re inside your property line. One thing to think about is that your posts might need to be spaced apart from the existing fence’s posts.
The amount of space required to maintain your fence and the property in between the fences must be taken into account even though you are legally permitted to build quite near to your neighbor’s fence.
What is the Law Regarding Fences Between Houses?
Building fences between houses can be confusing. However, there are important rules to guide you when you are in doubt. Bridging or breaking the rules could attract severe penalties, such as: exorbitant fines, jail terms, confistication of properties and other drastic measures.
Below are a few laws guiding fences and houses
1. Law on Boundary Fences
There are laws regarding boundary fences. To begin with, boundary fences are built directly on a property line. This type of fencing can be confusing because it is considered the property of both neighbors.
On the other hand, a fence built on your side of the property line is considered your property solely. The law states that both neighbors will be responsible for maintaining an equal amount of the fence if two neighbors share a boundary fence.
When someone needs to fix a section of their fence, they can request up to 20% from the other owners. Unless a prior agreement specifies that only one neighbor is responsible for all expenditures and maintenance, boundary fences are maintained by both parties.
If there is a fence on your side of the property boundary, it belongs to you alone. If your neighbor complies with any additional local ordinances, they are permitted to construct a second fence next to yours.
2. Planning Approval
Fences often don’t need permits or authorization to be built, but you should verify your local by laws because they may alter depending on the state you are in.
If the height of your face will hinder the visibility of your neighbor, it is right for you to seek permission. If you wish to construct a fence that is taller than 6.5 feet, you will need approval.
Final Remarks
You can build a fence next to your neighbor’s fence. The law does not state anything against it. However, you want to ensure you are building within your property line so you won’t have any legal issues with your fence in the future. Also, it is very important to discuss with your neighbors before constructing your fence.