{"id":371476,"date":"2017-12-08T14:22:48","date_gmt":"2017-12-08T19:22:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/alaska-law\/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-alaska.html"},"modified":"2025-06-24T15:52:33","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T20:52:33","slug":"property-line-and-fence-laws-in-alaska","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alaska-law\/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-alaska.html","title":{"rendered":"Property Line and Fence Laws in Alaska"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Property Line and Fence Laws in Alaska<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Alaska’s property and fence laws regarding boundaries, fence construction, and tree trimming vary from rural areas to cities and residential areas.<\/b><\/blockquote>\r\n

Alaska is sometimes called \u201cAmerica\u2019s last frontier.\u201d The state still has tens of thousands of square miles of open space where property owners can build homes wherever they wish. Unlike many places in the lower 48, the state of Alaska does not have laws regulating property line fences. The lack of fencing laws means that in rural areas, owners can put fences where they deem one necessary. The only regulations involve the public right-of-way and, in agricultural areas, barbed wire fences.<\/p>\r\n

Cities have separate property line and fence laws, which vary depending on the municipality. Homeowners within city limits should check the residential building codes before building a fence.<\/p>\r\n

Alaska Property Line and Fence Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Alaska does not have any laws addressing neighbor property disputes or shared fences. Courts treat fence and property line disputes as trespassing or nuisance complaints. Alaska\u2019s statutes permit the state to remove fences or other encroachments on the public roadways.<\/p>\r\n

Landowners can create property boundary fences with barbed wire fences under Alaskan law<\/a>. The fence owner must keep the fence in good repair or risk being held liable if the fence causes the death of domestic livestock<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Fence Laws in Cities and Residential Areas of Alaska<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Cities and towns in Alaska have their own regulations regarding fences and rights of way. Even in the cities, Alaska does not have any \u201cspite fence\u201d regulations. There are no laws prohibiting building walls or structures to annoy the neighbors.<\/p>\r\n

City ordinances regulate construction and size of fences in a manner similar to most other states. In general, municipal codes may regulate:<\/p>\r\n