Advice for Planning Fence Positioning and Boundary Placement

Recently in this space, we discussed the value of obtaining a boundary survey on your property ahead of erecting a new fence. This survey will help you mark your precise boundaries, plus identify other potential concerns that could arise before you build that will be far less hassle than after construction has finished.

At Utah Fence Warehouse, our team of fence contractors is here to help with any and all boundary-related areas while assisting you with installation of one of our wood, vinyl, chain link or ornamental fence options. Once you have accurate boundary information on hand, here are some basic tips on how to proceed and how close to your property lines you can build.

Check Maps and Surveys

For starters, check your completed survey or other previous property maps you have well in advance of beginning any fence construction. The primary goal here is to ensure you don’t accidentally build on your neighbor’s property at any point, even for just a few feet. This also extends to site prep areas like removing trees, trimming shrubs or altering rocks and other landmarks. No such work should begin before you’ve properly assessed the legal boundaries at work.

Walk the Line

In many cases, particularly if you’re performing a DIY fence installation on your own, we recommend walking the boundary line with your survey in hand and marking the boundary visually. This allows you to specifically confirm that there are no obstructions at any point along the land, and to slightly alter your planned layout if you locate any.

Once you have your line completely drawn, the general rule of thumb is to keep all resulting work completely on your side. No construction should even touch the line, much less extend over it.

State, District and HOA Rules

Another key factor to keep in mind here is differing rules and regulations for fences and property structures within your state, district and, if applicable, your homeowners’ association. There may be limitations on height, style, color and fencing materials used, plus on the rules governing privacy fences. If you’re unsure here, ask our team or local government officials for guidelines in your area.

Neighbor Consult

Finally, it’s both good etiquette and a good practical call to involve your neighbors in this process. Because most states and districts require that neighbors on both sides of a fence play a role in its maintenance and care, it’s good form to ensure your neighbor has no issue with the fence location, material, size and other factors. Even if you know you’re fully within your own boundaries and aren’t risking any legal concerns, this is the best practice to stick with in every case.

For more on observing boundary lines and proceeding with fence installation, or to learn about any of our fence contractor services, speak to the staff at Utah Fence Warehouse today.