How Far Does A Fence Have To Be From The Road?

Jalin Coblentz
by Jalin Coblentz

For hundreds of years, fences have been used for a variety of different things. Whether you want a privacy fence to give you and your family more privacy and protection or you need a smaller fence for decoration or containment, there are a surprisingly large amount of rules. One of the things you need to consider before building a fence is how far it needs to be from the road.

Your fence needs to be anywhere from five to forty feet from a main or side road. Rules and regulations about how close your fence can be to the road ranges wildly from location to location. Certain areas don’t allow you to build any type of fence within eyesight of the road. Other areas let you build a fence within several feet of the road.

In order to be sure of how far your fence has to be from the road, you need to check your local regulations. There are thousands of towns and municipalities in the United States, and they all have varying rules. In this article, we’ll look at some of the different rules regarding fences and things to do before building one.

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How Far Does a Fence Have to be From the Road?

A fence has to be anywhere from several feet to fifty feet away from the road. It all depends on what your local rules and regulations are about fences and property construction. With all of the different cities and counties in the country, there aren’t universal laws about fence building. Let’s look at some of the different rules and tips for those who want to build a fence on their property.

How Far Does a Fence Have to be From My Property Line?

In most areas, a fence has to be a minimum of 2-8 inches from your property line. Some areas require several feet up to 10 or even 15 feet between your fence and your property line. It also depends on what type of fence you’re building and how tall you’re building it. If you plan to build a privacy fence or a fence over four feet tall, you might need a permit and your neighbors’ permission.

What Should I do Before Building a Fence?

Building fences is a great way to add privacy or beauty to your property. There are lots of different options when it comes to choosing a fence, and different fences have different rules. However, the last thing you want to do is build a fence only to realize that you’ve broken the law. If that happens, you’ll have to remove your fence, and you’ll have wasted a bunch of time and money. Here’s what you should do before building a fence.

Get a Survey

Getting a survey isn’t mandatory, but it is a great idea. There are countless stories of people not realizing where their official property lines are and building a fence on their neighbors’ land. Not getting a survey is a good way to build a fence in the wrong place and alienate your neighbors.

A survey can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000, but it’s worth the money in the long run. It’s much cheaper to pay for a survey and build your fence with peace of mind.

Check Your Local Rules and Regulations

Most local guidelines say that you have to build your fence anywhere from 2 to 8 inches from your property line. Most regulations also say that you need a permit to build a fence that stands over 6 feet tall. However, as I said before, everyone has different rules and regulations on their local building codes. For example, some areas allow you to build right on top of your property line.

Another group that you should check with is your HOA if you live in an area that has one. Their rules might be different from the rules of your local municipality. You don’t want to build a fence only to get fined and forced to take it down because you violated the rules of your HOA.

Am I Liable if Someone Hits My Fence?

The reason that most areas restrict how close you can build your fence to a road is that it’s a safety hazard. There’s a chance that if someone runs into it that you could be liable for damage to their vehicle. However, this is only if your fence is in the “right of way” of their vehicle.

What is a Right of Way?

The right of way when it comes to roads and cars is also known as an easement. An easement is when someone needs to drive on the part of your land to get somewhere. You still own the land, but there might be legal terms that allow others to use a small section of your land. An example could be that you own land on either side of a private road and part of the road that goes with it.

Violating the right of way law will be if you build a fence across that road even though it’s technically an easement for others to use. If someone drives into that fence and damages their car, you could be liable to pay for the damage.

Do I Need a Permit to Build a Fence?

Whether or not you need a permit to build a fence depends on a number of different factors. The main one is where you live and what the local ordinances and HOA says. As a general rule, you need a permit to build a fence that stands over 6 to 8 feet tall in most areas. However, depending on where you live, you can build a fence over a hundred feet high if your heart desires.

It’s crucial that you check with your local authorities and HOA before building a fence. It’s the only way to know for sure that you aren’t breaking any rules.

Do I Need to Check With My Neighbors Before I Build a Fence?

You would be surprised at how many fights and disputes arise around fences and the way that they’re built. Even if you aren’t breaking any rules, it’s a good idea to notify your neighbors that you’re planning to build a fence. This will ensure that you don’t take them by surprise, and it’s a good-faith move that could keep the peace between you and them.

There’s even a chance that they might want to help pay for it so that the fence can be built right on the property line and they can share in the benefits. There are even some areas of the country where neighbor notification is required, and you’re liable if you don’t get permission. Either way, it’s a good idea to check with them before building.


Related Questions

Why are there rules about building a fence close to a road?

Tall fences too close to the road are a safety hazard. They can create blind spots for drivers and are very dangerous in neighborhoods and crowded areas.


Can my neighbor attach things to my fence?

Your neighbor can’t do anything to your fence without your permission if you own the fence and you’re not in violation of any rules.

Do You Need Fence Installation or Repair Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

Final Thoughts

Fences are a great way to add value, safety, and privacy to your property and your home. However, there are a number of things that you need to know before you start digging your first post hole. Checking with your neighbors, HOA, and local building authorities, as well as getting a survey, are all things you should do before building your fence.

Jalin Coblentz
Jalin Coblentz

Before I started writing, I worked for 6 plus years in the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC business. I was primarily an HVAC installer but also worked as a plumber and electrician. Now I'm a copywriter, focusing on home improvement content and guides.

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