{"id":376101,"date":"2017-12-06T17:26:57","date_gmt":"2017-12-06T22:26:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/rhode-island-law\/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-rhode-island.html"},"modified":"2025-07-10T14:27:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T19:27:59","slug":"property-line-and-fence-laws-in-rhode-island","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/rhode-island-law\/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-rhode-island.html","title":{"rendered":"Property Line and Fence Laws in Rhode Island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Property Line and Fence Laws in Rhode Island<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/christie-nicholson-j-d\/\">Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/catherine-hodder-esq\/\">Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            July 10, 2025\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<blockquote>Property line and fence laws in Rhode Island regulate disputes over fence construction, boundary lines, and trees.<\/blockquote>\r\n<p>Dealing with a property dispute with your neighbor is no picnic. If you&#8217;re like most people, you will have the same neighbors for years or decades. The last thing you want to do is sour your relationship with them over a fence or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/neighbors\/property-boundaries-lines-and-neighbors-faq.html\">property line<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Unfortunately, many homeowners don&#8217;t know what to do regarding a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/neighbors\/neighbor-disputes.html\">neighbor dispute<\/a>. Do you try to resolve things over a cup of coffee, or do you call the police? It depends on the situation.<\/p>\r\n<p>This article explains how the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/neighbors\/fencing-laws-and-your-neighbors-faqs.html\">fence laws<\/a> work in Rhode Island. It also discusses the rules regarding property boundaries and property disputes.<\/p>\r\n<p>If a fence dispute looks like it may get out of hand, consider speaking with a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/real-estate-law\/rhode-island\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rhode Island real estate attorney<\/a>. We&#8217;ve also included links to other helpful FindLaw articles on this and similar topics at the end of this article.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Rhode Island Law and Fences<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Every state has specific laws regarding fence construction, including laws on fencing materials and fence design. Rhode Island is no different.<\/p>\r\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ri\/title-34-property\/ri-gen-laws-sect-34-10-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rhode Island General Law<\/a>, the following rules apply to fences in residential districts:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Stone walls must be at least four feet tall<\/li>\r\n<li>Woven-wire fences must be at least 54 inches high, and you must install posts at least every 16 feet<\/li>\r\n<li>Post-and-rail fences must be at least four-and-a-half feet tall and must contain a minimum of four rails<\/li>\r\n<li>All other fences, including front yard and side yard fences, must be at least four-and-a-half feet tall<\/li>\r\n<li>You cannot construct a <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ri\/title-34-property\/ri-gen-laws-sect-34-10-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">barbed-wire fence<\/a> without the consent of your neighbors<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>When constructing a new fence, you must also ensure it meets Rhode Island&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/neighbors\/what-is-a-property-line-setback-.html\">setback requirements<\/a>. Some municipalities in Rhode Island require that you get a building permit for any fence over six feet tall.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Quick Look: Rhode Island Property Line and Fence Law<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>We&#8217;ve summarized Rhode Island laws relevant to property line and fence disputes below for easy access.<\/p>\r\n<h3><b>State Statutes<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ri\/title-34-property\/ri-gen-laws-sect-34-10-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RI Gen Laws \u00a7 34-10-1<\/a> (<i>lawful fences defined<\/i>)<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ri\/title-34-property\/ri-gen-laws-sect-34-10-17.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RI Gen Laws \u00a7 34-10-17<\/a> (<i>settlement of controversies by fence viewer<\/i>)<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ri\/title-34-property\/ri-gen-laws-sect-34-10-9.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RI Gen Laws \u00a7 34-10-9<\/a> (<i>fence maintenance<\/i>)<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ri\/title-34-property\/ri-gen-laws-sect-34-20-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RI Gen Laws \u00a7 34-20-1<\/a> (<i>unauthorized tree cutting<\/i>)<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ri\/title-34-property\/ri-gen-laws-sect-34-10-20.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RI Gen Laws \u00a7 34-10-20<\/a> (<i>spite fence<\/i>)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><b>Boundary by Acquiescence<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p>In Rhode Island, you can prove boundary by acquiescence by showing the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>There is a property line dispute between abutting landowners<\/li>\r\n<li>The property owners have occupied their respective lots up to a specific boundary<\/li>\r\n<li>The parties mutually accept the line as the property boundary<\/li>\r\n<li>They have done so for more than 20 years<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>Rhode Island Fence and Property Line Laws Basics<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>The cornerstone of Rhode Island&#8217;s fence laws is the statute on partition fences. This law says that adjacent homeowners must place partition fences on the dividing line of their adjoining properties. The owners must <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ri\/title-34-property\/ri-gen-laws-sect-34-10-9.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">maintain these fences<\/a> equally unless the parties agree otherwise. Rhode Island law also provides specific details on how property owners must construct a <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ri\/title-34-property\/ri-gen-laws-sect-34-10-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lawful fence<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Fence Viewers to Resolve Property Line Disputes<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>If neighbors cannot resolve their fence or property line disputes, they can call in a fence viewer to resolve it for them. A property owner can appeal to the <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ri\/title-34-property\/ri-gen-laws-sect-34-10-17.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">county&#8217;s fence viewer<\/a> to resolve disputes concerning division lines or partition fences.<\/p>\r\n<p>After giving ten days&#8217; notice to each party, the fence viewer determines the division line and assigns each party their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/neighbors\/fencing-on-property-line-who-pays-for-and-maintains-it.html\">section for maintenance<\/a>. The viewer can also impose a deadline for the parties to repair their portion of the fence.<\/p>\r\n<p>The fence viewer will record their decision with the town clerk, and the decision will bind all present and future owners and occupants of the lands.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Trees and Plants Growing Near Your Property Line<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Disputes over trees are no easier to resolve than disputes over fences and property lines. Under Rhode Island state law, if a tree (or its trunk) lies within an individual&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/neighbors\/property-boundaries.html\">property boundary<\/a>, the individual owns and is responsible for that tree.<\/p>\r\n<p>If the trunk grows on both properties, the adjoining property owners share ownership and make all decisions about the tree together.<\/p>\r\n<p>If a neighbor&#8217;s tree <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/neighbors\/what-can-you-do-about-an-encroachment.html\">encroaches<\/a> on your property, you can trim the branches or roots back to the property line at your own expense. However, if you damage the tree&#8217;s health or trim branches on your neighbor&#8217;s property without permission, you face a criminal penalty of up to six months in jail.<\/p>\r\n<p>In extreme situations, you may be able to force a neighbor to trim back dead branches by filing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/torts-and-personal-injuries\/private-nuisance.html\">private nuisance claim<\/a>. You must prove that their tree branches threaten your property.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Rhode Island Law and Spite Fences<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/ri\/title-34-property\/ri-gen-laws-sect-34-10-20.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">spite fence<\/a> is one that a homeowner builds to annoy their neighbor. Under Rhode Island&#8217;s spite fence law, property owners may face legal action if the malicious motivation of the fence outweighs the benefits.<\/p>\r\n<p>The neighbor who suffers an injury from the fence can recover damages and seek to force their neighbor to remove the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/neighbors\/property-rights-my-neighbor-is-a-nuisance.html\">nuisance fence<\/a>. To prove that your neighbor installed a spite fence, you must demonstrate the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Your neighbor constructed a fence or other structure, such as a row of trees or other accessory structure<\/li>\r\n<li>The fence is more than six feet tall<\/li>\r\n<li>Your neighbor maliciously erected the fence or maintained it to annoy you<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><i><b>Disclaimer:<\/b> State laws frequently change due to new legislation, higher court rulings, etc. FindLaw strives to provide readers with the most current information. However, you should conduct further research or consult a <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/real-estate-law\/rhode-island\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>Rhode Island real estate lawyer<\/i><\/a><i> to confirm your state laws.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Get Professional Legal Help With Your Property Line Issue<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/rhode-island-law\/rhode-island-property-and-real-estate-laws.html\">Property law<\/a> is complex, and there isn&#8217;t always a right or wrong party. To make matters worse, the longer a dispute goes on, the less flexible people become. When you can&#8217;t settle an issue alone, a real estate attorney can help you cut through the emotions and work toward a legal resolution. Consider contacting a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/real-estate-law\/rhode-island\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rhode Island real estate attorney<\/a> experienced in fence and boundary line law if you and your neighbor can&#8217;t settle things yourselves.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Related FindLaw Resources<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/land-use-laws\/zoning-changes-variances-and-more.html\">Zoning Ordinances, Zoning Changes, and Variances<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/land-use-laws\/land-use-and-zoning-practices.html\">Land Use and Zoning Boards<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/neighbors.html\" title=\"Neighbors: Laws and Disputes\">Neighbors: Laws and Disputes<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            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