From increased security to the luxury of privacy, there are many great reasons to install a fence on your property. However, it’s crucial that you do the necessary research beforehand when planning the construction of a fence. You may even need a permit to build it!
Permits are not always required to construct a fence; however, this depends on local fencing rules and regulations in your area. The function of these permits is to regulate the materials used for construction, the overall height of the fence, and where the fence will be situated on your property.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about building a fence on your property. Our guide to fencing regulations will help you avoid legal setbacks in the construction of your fence. You’ll be reaping the benefits a fence offers in no time!
Does a Fence Need a Permit?
In many regions across the world, it may be necessary to get a permit for a fence. Ultimately, this depends on where exactly you live as these permits are considered ‘local’ requirements. These permits are used to regulate fencing aspects like the materials used to construct it, the height of the fence, and where it sits on the property.
If you live in a densely populated area, it is likely that you’ll require a permit to install a fence on your property. To find out whether or not you’ll need one, you’ll need to reach out to you county clerks office in charge of issuing these permits.
Your area also may have a height factor that determines whether or not you’ll need a permit to build your fence. Typically, fences equal to or taller than 8 feet will require a permit to be constructed as they are not normally constructed. However, this depends on where you live and how high can you really build your fence?
Furthermore, the material you use to construct your fence can influence whether or not you’ll need a permit. You’ll likely find that a permit is required in your region to construct a barrier using concrete or masonry as the main materials as these are closer to walls than fences. Fences constructed from wood, for example, may not need a permit.
Another major factor that determines whether or not you’ll need a permit to build your fence is where exactly you build it. For example, you’ll likely need a permit if your fence is near a protected environmental area, such as wetlands.
Furthermore, you’re also likely to find certain restrictions regarding how close to the property line you can build your fence and getting permission from neighbors to build it. Keep reading as we take a look at these two factors in more depth!
Can I Install a Fence Myself?
If you’re planning to install a fence on your property, you’re likely dreading the planning and costs involved with this. For this reason, you may be wondering whether or not you can install a fence yourself to save on these costs.
Be aware that fencing a corner lot is different than other lots and may have more stringent regulations on the part of the lawn that is next to the road.
Yes, you can install a fence yourself, but there are some pros and cons you should be aware of! Keep reading as we break down the advantages and disadvantages of installing a fence on your property by yourself.
The Advantages of Building Your Own Fence
#1: You Can Save on Costs
When it comes to building a fence on your property, many people prefer to use a contractor. However, there can be many different fees associated with this. Taking a do-it-yourself approach to installing a fence will reduce the overall cost of the process.
#2: You Have More Control
When you build your own fence, you have more control over the materials you use, the style of the fence, and how you go about installing it. If you have a unique vision for your fence, then building it yourself can help you realize that vision!
#3: There are Fencing Kits Available
If you want to skip the design stage of the fencing process, you can always buy a DIY fencing kit! These nifty kits are available online and in various home-improvement stores. These build-it-yourself kits can be a hassle-free way to finally get that fence up!
The Disadvantages of Building Your Own Fence
#1: You Could Waste Time and Money
When a fence is built properly, it can last for a long time and can even increase your overall property value due to the benefits a fence offers. However, when you attempt to build a fence without the required knowledge and expertise, it can be easy to make costly mistakes – both in terms of your time and money already spent.
#2: You’re Responsible for the Research
When building a fence by yourself, you’ll need to do substantial research into fencing materials and the tools you’ll need. Not only that, but you’ll need to inspect your own property lines and research local fencing regulations, such as whether or not you’ll need a permit for your fence.
How Close to the Property Line Can I Build a Fence?
When planning the construction of your fence, where on your property line you want to build it is an important factor to keep in mind. You may want to build the fence as close to the property line to maximize the space on the inside of the fence. However, there will likely be restrictions in your area that need to be followed.
Certain councils and municipalities may allow you to build your fence right up against your property line. Building a fence on the property line, however, usually results in shared responsibility between you and your neighbor – but we’ll take a look at that in a moment.
More often than not, you’ll find your fence needs to be between 2 to 8 inches away from your property line. Again, this depends on your local fencing guidelines and regulations. For this reason, you’ll want to do thorough research beforehand to avoid any legal setbacks.
Contractors will often take this into account when hired to construct a fence, which can save you a lot of admin. However, if you plan on constructing your fence by yourself, you’ll want to make sure about the relevant fencing regulations in your neighborhood.
Can I Put a Fence Up Next to my Neighbors?
There’s another important consideration to keep in mind when planning the construction of a fence on your property: whether or not your fence is shared by one of your neighbors. If this is the case, you may need to obtain written consent from your neighbor before you’re able to proceed with the construction.
For example, the state of California is known for its Good Neighbor Fence Law, which dictates that “adjoining landowners shall share equally in the responsibility for maintaining the boundaries and monuments between them”, with monuments here including fences.
Furthermore, in areas like California, your neighbors may even be legally required to split the cost of the fence’s construction when the fence falls between both properties. This is because the landowners are “presumed to share an equal benefit” from the fence that divides their properties.
However, this isn’t always the case. Often it is possible to build a fence on your property next to your neighbor’s own fence. There are many benefits this can offer landowners, from the increased privacy to not needing your neighbor’s permission to paint or decorate your fence,
Ultimately, as we discussed earlier in this article, whether or not you can put up a fence next to your neighbor’s fence depends on your local laws and the specifics of the fence you want to build. That is why it’s so important to do your research when planning the construction of your fence!
Conclusion
In this article, we looked at the process of installing a fence on your property and the regulations surrounding this. From whether or not you need a contractor to construct your fence to the legal considerations to keep in mind during this process, we broke down everything you need to know to make sure your planned fence is fully legal!
