I am putting up a fence on my own land. How far inside my line should it go?
Asked October 25, 2026
AI answer · not yet verified by a surveyor
There's no single national rule. Many owners place a fence a few inches to a foot inside their own line, and some cities require a specific setback. Check:
- Your city or county zoning code: fence setbacks, heights and permit rules.
- HOA covenants, if you have them.
- Easements: utility or drainage easements may restrict fences, or let crews remove them [2].
Setting the fence slightly inside your line has practical benefits:
- You can maintain both sides without stepping onto your neighbor's land.
- Small construction errors won't push the fence over the line.
Most important, know where the line is. Have a licensed surveyor stake it before the post holes are dug [1]. Measuring from an old fence or a hedge is a common source of costly mistakes.
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.