Can my neighbor build a fence right on the property line?

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Fences and encroachments0 answersAI answer

My neighbor wants to put up a new fence and says it will go exactly on the line. Is that allowed?

Asked October 25, 2026

AI answer · not yet verified by a surveyor

It depends on your state and local rules, and on whether you both agree.

  • Some places allow line fences (sometimes called boundary or partition fences), and a few states have laws on sharing their cost.
  • Many cities and HOAs require a fence to be set back a little inside the owner's own line, or require a permit.
  • Without an agreement, a fence built partly on your land can become an encroachment.

Practical steps:

  1. Locate the line first. Ask your neighbor to hire a licensed surveyor to stake it, or share the cost [3].
  2. Put any agreement in writing, including who owns and maintains the fence.
  3. Check local permits and HOA covenants for height, setback and style rules.

Many disputes start with fences placed on a guessed line [1]. A staked line and a short written agreement prevent most of them.

Sources

  1. Common Boundary Disputes and How a Survey Can Prevent Them
  2. What if I disagree with my neighbor's survey or my survey shows an encroachment?
  3. How a Land Surveyor Marks Property Lines Accurately

General information only. Answers here are not a survey or legal advice, and no one here can tell you where your boundary is. For your property, hire a licensed land surveyor in your state; for legal questions, a real-estate attorney.

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