The distance you can build from your property line—known as a setback—is determined by your local zoning and building codes. Typical setbacks require 5 to 10 feet on the sides and 10 to 25 feet in the front and back. You must check with your local government to find the exact rules for your specific property.
The Legality Of The Seven Year Fence Law
It cannot be tucked away and out of sight, or somehow concealed, as with a fence line overgrown by dense undergrowth.” If the occupant has seven consecutive years staying on the property and they did not hide their presence, then they have a claim for adverse possession.
You can build your extension as close as 50mm to your neighbour's boundary if you have Permitted Development Rights or Planning Permission, but if you want to build directly on the boundary line, you need a Party Wall Agreement, which usually involves notifying neighbours two months in advance.
Before building, homeowners should check with their local zoning or building department. In some places, there must be 5 – 15 feet between a structure and the property line. In some cases, you must obtain a neighbor's permission to build.
build a single storey detached building between 10 and 30 square metres in floor area one metre away from any boundary or another building without a building consent. build single storey detached buildings under 10 square metres up to the boundary or another building without building consent.
Side and back garden fences between neighbours
There's no reason you shouldn't have the good side facing your garden. In practice, many people like to offer the nicer side to their neighbour as a goodwill gesture, especially if they get on well or if the neighbour has had the “good side” historically.
As a rule, if a fence is not a boundary fence, it must be built at least two feet inside your property line. The best options for building near a neighbor's existing fence are placing the new one right up against the current one or leaving enough space between the fences for someone to mow.
A 6ft fence at the front of a property will usually need planning permission if it sits next to a road, footpath or verge. The usual permitted height in that position is often 1 metre overall, and the full height includes posts, gravel boards, capping and trellis.
Local authorities implement fence height restrictions to ensure safety, visibility, and consistency within the community. These regulations, which can range from 3 to 8 feet, help to maintain aesthetics and neighborhood cohesion, and prevent fences from creating visual barriers or disrupting the overall landscape.
The term “setback” usually refers to the distance a house or structure must be from a property line. For example, a local jurisdiction might require a house to be no closer than 20 feet from the front property line, five feet from the property lines on each side of the house, and ten feet from the rear property line.
Fence height limits are 2 metres at the rear and 1 metre at the front without planning permission. Ownership is determined by property deeds, not side assumptions. Open communication with neighbours is the best way to prevent disputes. When in doubt, consult your title deeds, a surveyor or local council.
Without a neighbour's agreement, there is no right to build a wall over the boundary line. The Party Wall Act DOES permit foundations to be built over the boundary, but only 'where necessary'. In my opinion, they are never necessary for domestic work and are seldom necessary for larger projects.
The Hedge and Ditch rule applies where a land boundary is separated by a hedge and a ditch adjacent to another landowners property. Where there is no evidence to suggest otherwise, the hedge and ditch will belong to the owner on the same side as the hedge.
The Time Fence protects inventory and near-term supplies for safety stock use, but it will not cause a demand to be late, if that demand needs to use the inventory or near-term supplies to meet its due date. This allows you to preserve a quantity for use by shorter-term demands.
Boundary dispute evidence refers to any documentation or physical indicators that help to establish the original or intended line dividing two properties. Common types of evidence include: Title deeds and conveyancing plans. Land Registry title plans.
Consistent Weather
Dry, cool weather makes fence installations simple, and fall is most likely to provide these conditions. Cool temperatures are ideal if you're installing a wood fence, as the summer sun can be harsh on fresh wood panels.
In the City Limits It's usually a 5' easement from the property line with the side yard needing to be at least 10'. Of course variances could also be issued for a hardship. If you have concerns call the building inspector. The standard is no less than 6 ft from the property line.
Top 10 Common Building Code Violations (and How to Avoid Them)
Factors to Consider Before Rezoning a Property
The application fee varies by city and tends to be higher for more affluent areas. For example, some cities charge $0.50 per square foot, which means a 10,000-square-foot property would be $500 for the application alone.
In a back garden, your fence should be no higher than 6.56 feet (2 metres), while front garden fence height regulations, or if next to a footpath or public road, should be no taller than 3.28 feet (1 metre).
If your fence will exceed 6 feet in height, you must obtain a permit. Additionally, if you're installing a fence in a front yard, the height restriction is usually limited to 4 feet without a permit. It's important to check specific zoning regulations for your area.
Tall fences (7' and 8') provide maximum privacy and noise reduction for residential properties. They are ideal for yards backing up to busy streets, commercial zones, or neighboring buildings. Fence height over 6 feet may require special considerations: permits, structural reinforcement, and/or HOA approval.
If you own the garden fence, then there are no restrictions. You can paint it, install trellises, or grow climbing plants without needing extra permissions. However, if the fence belongs to your neighbours, then everything is a little more complicated. Without permission, you could face legal difficulty.
It can, but not always. The construction and material of the fence, the reason for adding one, and the area where you live factor into the value a fence adds to your home. A fence can increase value by adding curb appeal if it enhances the visual appeal or some other aspect of your home, such as adding privacy.
Yes, you're generally allowed to build a fence alongside your neighbor's, but a few important steps can save you from trouble. Always verify your property boundaries, follow your community's rules, and have an open conversation with your neighbor before the first post goes in.