Good fences make good neighbors?

[Rogar]

I live in what is probably a standard older suburban neighborhood with all the houses built around the same time in the mid-50's. I have wanted to replace a chain link fence with a privacy fence as one neighbor has an unsightly yard overrun with weeds and rarely managed. We recently we had a tree fall on the fence and the damage will be fixed by insurance, however I introduced the idea to my neighbor of replacing the chain link. The neighbor is a reasonable person but probably does not have a lot of money. She did not know if the fence is on the property line or one side of the other of ownership. I talked with another neighbor who also was unsure.

Is there a standard placement for fences relative to property ownership or a way to find out with getting technical with surveys? Would contacting the city be a possibility? I not sure where to check to be sure.

[iris lilies]

The only way I know for sure to have correct placement is with a survey.

If you put up the fence, you need to put the “ugly” unfinshed side toward you. I dont know if that is code or custom.

My neighbors put up a board fence with alternating boards on both sides, so there was no ugly side and that was nice.It is still a pretty good looking fence 12-15 years later.

[Lainey]

Your County Recorder's office should have your subdivision's paperwork on file. That would give you property measurements.
But I agree, a boundary survey is the way to go. They're not as expensive as a full survey, and the peace of mind will be worth it.

[sweetana3]

Whatever you do make sure it is correct or when you sell, it could create a nightmare. I know of three in the last few years that all had big issues when they tried to sell and found out the fence was not in the correct place.

Habitat found that the foundation was a little off the plans and the stoop interfered with the fence the neighbor's wanted to erect. The neighbor would not even allow Habitat to pay for the fence so both could work with it. The side stoop had to be ripped out and replaced smaller. So don't ever assume that neighbors will, of course, be reasonable.

[Alan]

Whatever you do make sure it is correct or when you sell, it could create a nightmare. I know of three in the last few years that all had big issues when they tried to sell and found out the fence was not in the correct place.
We put in a split rail fence around our heavily wooded back yard about 10 years ago. Prior to installing I talked with neighbors on both sides in order to get agreement on property line locations, then staked out the fence line so that all involved could see where it would be. After final agreement, we installed the fence around nearly a half acre of back yard space.
Last year, one of those neighbors sold their house. The new owners immediately began planning a Kentucky Board fence for their back yard and brought in a surveyor to establish the correct property line. It turns out that my fence was over the line on their side by about 2.5 feet and they were adamant that they wanted their property back. End result was that I now have my rustic and well seasoned split rail fence everywhere except the one side which is a new Kentucky Board fence, and I have a miniscule reduction in yard maintenance.
I should have brought in the surveyor myself.

[lmerullo]

When we bought our home, the builder had put a stockade fence along the back, and told us it was the property line of our yard. We immediately put a chain link fence along both sides, eight inches into our yard. The fence guys told us this was customary, to eliminate squabbles over inches...Fast forward to an insurance claim due to hurricane damage and the insurer requiring a survey ( neighbor also had damage and a surveyor) - the back fence is three feet outside our lot line, square down the middle of our six foot easement, and one side fence is a foot and a half inside our yard. I thought surveying was always accurate, but maybe not.

[Rogar]

Thanks a bunch! Those are things I'd not anticipated and will definitely proceed with more caution if things develop further.

[Float On]

I thought surveying was always accurate, but maybe not.

I've often wondered if surveys can change over time due to where our planet is in it's rotation around the sun or how the moon effects the tides or something. The empty lot next to us has been surveyed 3 times over the last 25 years and they've moved the pins each time! Thankfully they find out it's still unbuildable so it's just woods. I've also noticed that survey maps of my hometown which had a building boom in the 1880's the lines are always angled a bit and on small city lots tend to cut into the corner of houses even.

[Tenngal]

I live in what is probably a standard older suburban neighborhood with all the houses built around the same time in the mid-50's. I have wanted to replace a chain link fence with a privacy fence as one neighbor has an unsightly yard overrun with weeds and rarely managed. We recently we had a tree fall on the fence and the damage will be fixed by insurance, however I introduced the idea to my neighbor of replacing the chain link. The neighbor is a reasonable person but probably does not have a lot of money. She did not know if the fence is on the property line or one side of the other of ownership. I talked with another neighbor who also was unsure.

Is there a standard placement for fences relative to property ownership or a way to find out with getting technical with surveys? Would contacting the city be a possibility? I not sure where to check to be sure.

some cities have "setback" requirements for fences and out bldgs. Which means you cannot build on the line. Check it out.

[iris lilies]

We were able to build our garage on the property line, but we had to get permission from the owners of the next door property. Those owners were —us! So we had to give ourselves permission.

Only in gubmnt work does this make sense.

[ToomuchStuff]

I've often wondered if surveys can change over time due to where our planet is in it's rotation around the sun or how the moon effects the tides or something. The empty lot next to us has been surveyed 3 times over the last 25 years and they've moved the pins each time! Thankfully they find out it's still unbuildable so it's just woods. I've also noticed that survey maps of my hometown which had a building boom in the 1880's the lines are always angled a bit and on small city lots tend to cut into the corner of houses even.

The properties here, go at an angle (don't remember the degree's). There are many now, that just automatically assume the properties are straight and when shown the angle, there tends to be a lot of ahemming. (clearing of throat, etc)


some cities have "setback" requirements for fences and out bldgs. Which means you cannot build on the line. Check it out.

This is an issue for me, due to borders of a wall, building/easement and the way it all falls. If the renters in back have a dog, it will be a problem for me to be in my own yard.

[Gardenarian]

Definitely talk to the city folks. Lots of fence regulations in my town.

We put in an 8 foot high wood fence (yeah, megabucks) but it keeps the deer out and I can walk around the yard and sun bathe au naturel :)

We discussed the fencing thoroughly with our neighbors, too.

[sweetana3]

Oh, and never assume that because a bunch of people have a certain fence that it is allowable. One person complained when their permit was denied and the inspectors found that 9 or more neighbors had "illegal" fences. Really a hot spot in this certain historic neighborhood. People just don't know or don't check first. Now they all have to apply for a variance and this neighborhood is notorious for saying no.