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How close to the neighbors can I build a fence?

Author

Isabella Bartlett

Updated on June 07, 2026

Typically, fences are installed anywhere from 2 to 8 inches from a property line in most areas. Some areas might allow to go right up to a property line, especially if you live in an urban row house where every inch makes a difference!

How close to my property line can my neighbor build?

The building distance limit depends on the structure you intend on building. It usually ranges between five to 15 feet. It is important to communicate property boundaries with your neighbor before beginning any permanent or semi-permanent projects, due to the risk of township or county penalties.

Can my Neighbour put up a fence on my boundary?

If it's within their property boundary, your neighbour has every right to do whatever they want, including installing a fence.

Can I put a fence on my property line in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, a fence placed directly on the property line is shared between neighbors when it comes to the cost of installation and maintenance or repair. If your municipality allows you to install a fence on your property line, which is common in more densely populated cities and boroughs, keep this in mind.

Do you need a permit to build a fence in Michigan?

Yes, you'll need to obtain a permit from the Division of Buildings and Safety Engineering to build a fence. The permit application requires that you include a proposed plan showing the type, size, and location of the fence, as well as payment of the permit fee set by your city council.

Can my neighbor build a fence on the property line?

Can my Neighbour put up a fence without my permission?

This is a barrier, railing or other upright structure that helps enclose an area or mark a boundary. You will need a building consent for fences over 2.5m as well as any swimming pool fence. You may also need a resource consent. You will need to talk to your neighbours first before building a new boundary fence.

How tall can fences be in Michigan?

Height - In Commercial Districts, fences in the rear yard, interior side yard and non-required front and street side yard areas can be no higher than 6 ft. tall. In Industrial Districts, fences in the rear yard, interior side yard and non-required front and street side yard areas can be no higher than 8 ft. tall.

Do you need a permit to put up a fence in Philadelphia?

You probably need a permit if your fence will be: Taller than 6 feet. Made of heavy material, like masonry or concrete. Located directly along a street front.

Can I legally paint my side of Neighbours fence?

If your neighbour owns the wall or fence

Your neighbour doesn't have to change a wall or fence just because you want them to, for example making it higher for privacy. You can't make changes to your side without their permission, such as painting it.

Can I go on my neighbors property to maintain my fence?

The general rule is that to go onto someone else's property you need their permission, but there are exceptions that can be relied on where consent is proving tricky to obtain. A property disputes lawyer will explain the position in your case and guide you through the process of securing the access you need.

Do you have to give your Neighbour the good side of the fence?

If you're the courteous type and enjoy getting along with your neighbours, it would be generous to show the smooth side of the fence towards them, but this is far from being an established convention and there's absolutely no obligation to do so if you don't want to.

Who owns the fence between two houses?

When looking at the plans, the ownership is indicated by a “T” marked on the plans on one side of a boundary. If the “T” is written on your side of the boundary, you're responsible for maintaining it. If there's an H (although actually it's two joined Ts) the boundary is the joint responsibility of both parties.

How high can you build a wall between Neighbours?

Erecting a new fence, wall or gate will not require need planning permission if: it would be below 1 metre high and next to a road used by vehicles (or the footpath of such a road) or below 2 metres high elsewhere.

What is the minimum gap between houses?

Though technically you have left 1.5 feet in accordance to building construction rules, the land still belongs to you and it is a plain infringement of your ownership rights. Also open spaces are called set backs in building parlance and no construction (either above the ground or below the ground) can be undertaken.

Can my Neighbour nail things to my fence?

The short answer to this question is, of course, “no”. If you own the fence and you have not granted your neighbour permission to do so, they are not allowed to attach or nail things to your fence.

Can a Neighbour claim my land?

any evidence produced by your neighbour to suggest that they have been in occupation of the disputed land for 12 years or more without objection and which may now entitle them to claim ownership under the law of adverse possession.

Can my Neighbour paint the top of my fence?

The answer

Well, there's the legal answer and then there's the neighbourly answer. A fence on the property line is really in joint ownership. So you can paint your side whatever colour you want.

How big of a shed can I build without a permit in PA?

For example; the PA UCC exempts fully-detached residential accessory buildings (garage or shed) less than 1000 square feet from needing a permit, but many jurisdictions have amended this provision to reduce the exemption to two-hundred (200) square feet.

Can you live in a shed in Philadelphia?

For example, sheds in single-family residential areas up to 120 cubic feet do not require a permit. Similarly, fences in these areas that are chain link and no taller than four feet in the front, six feet in the back/side yards do not require a permit.

Do I need a permit for a shed in Philadelphia?

What kind of permits do I need? Background: In most cases, the City of Philadelphia requires that an owner obtain a zoning permit and a building permit prior to building a structure.

Can I cut my neighbors tree branches in Michigan?

Old Michigan case law states that you can trim tree branches that cross over the property line onto your property. However, you cannot trim past the property line onto the neighbor's side. However, in trimming that branch, you are putting yourself at risk for violating other Michigan laws.

Do you need a permit to build a fence in Detroit?

No Fence Permit Required in Detroit Michigan

No fence permit is required within the city of Detroit. The city is also pretty lenient with which types of fences they allow to be installed.

Can I build against my Neighbours wall?

How close can I build to my neighbour's boundary? The party wall act allows an absolute right to build up to the boundary between you and your neighbour. It also allows you to build astride the boundary line, but only with your neighbour's consent.

Can my Neighbour build a wall on the boundary line?

The short answer is “yes, subject to serving a valid notice and following the processes set out in The Party Wall Act. The party wall act only applies to “structures” (ie: a wall with a foundation), it does not apply to timber fences or other screens.