{"id":375727,"date":"2017-11-09T13:11:33","date_gmt":"2017-11-09T18:11:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/ohio-law\/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-ohio.html"},"modified":"2017-12-02T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-12-02T05:00:00","slug":"property-line-and-fence-laws-in-ohio","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/ohio-law\/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-ohio.html","title":{"rendered":"Property Line and Fence Laws in Ohio"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Property Line and Fence Laws in Ohio<\/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

Early Ohio fence law was focused on controlling cattle and distributing repair costs between farm owners. It offered little help for 21st Century property disputes. So in 2008, Ohio redesigned its state fence laws to clarify who is responsible for fence building and maintenance costs, and when the new law applies. If you find yourself in a property line dispute, a review of Ohio property line and fence law may help guide you toward a solution.<\/p>\r\n

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

This chart provides a summary of key Ohio laws relevant to property line and fence disputes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
State Statutes<\/b><\/td>\r\n
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Determining Responsibility for a Line Fence<\/b><\/td>\r\nEquitable Shares Rule:<\/b>
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  • Applies to fences built before September 30, 2008<\/li>\r\n
  • Balancing test applied looking at topography and use<\/li>\r\n
  • Shared responsibility range from 50-50 to 0-100<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nRule of Individual Responsibility:<\/b>
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    • Applies to fences built after September 30, 2008<\/li>\r\n
    • Cost of building and maintenance belongs to owner who wants the fence<\/li>\r\n
    • Compensation can be sought from neighbor if they "use" the fence<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nRule of Equal Shares:<\/b>
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      • Applies to fences built after September 30, 2008<\/li>\r\n
      • Must be a government fence where adjacent owner grazes livestock<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Local Fence Regulations<\/b><\/td>\r\n