{"id":374553,"date":"2017-11-20T13:14:25","date_gmt":"2017-11-20T18:14:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/missouri-law\/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-missouri.html"},"modified":"2017-11-27T14:49:00","modified_gmt":"2017-11-27T19:49:00","slug":"property-line-and-fence-laws-in-missouri","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/missouri-law\/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-missouri.html","title":{"rendered":"Property Line and Fence Laws in Missouri"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Property Line and Fence Laws in Missouri<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\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

You’ve just moved into a new home and you want to put in a fence. You think the neighbors should split the cost since it will be separating both your properties. Your neighbors don’t want a fence and refuse to pay. Can you force them to pay for a fence they don’t want?<\/p>\r\n

The answer is that it depends on where you live. The state of Missouri has two distinct sets of fence law<\/a> and which one applies depends on the county in which you live. So if you’re having a disagreement with your neighbor, a review of Missouri property line and fence laws may provide the answers that you need.<\/p>\r\n

Quick Look: Missouri Property Line and Fence Laws<\/h2>\r\n

This chart summarizes key Missouri laws relevant to property line and fence disputes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
State Statutes<\/b><\/td>\r\n
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Local Option vs. General Rule<\/b><\/td>\r\nLocal Option:<\/b>
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  • Forced responsibility for fence construction and maintenance<\/li>\r\n
  • The law does not specify which portion of the fence is each landowner’s responsibility<\/li>\r\n
  • Livestock ownership is not required to trigger fence law<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nGeneral Rule:<\/b>
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    • No forced contribution for unwanted fence<\/li>\r\n
    • Requires fence construction if there is livestock<\/li>\r\n
    • Allows for county to define what is a lawful fence<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Local Fence Regulations<\/b><\/td>\r\n