{"id":376894,"date":"2017-11-17T13:03:33","date_gmt":"2017-11-17T18:03:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/virginia-law\/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-virginia.html"},"modified":"2025-06-24T07:49:09","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T12:49:09","slug":"property-line-and-fence-laws-in-virginia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/virginia-law\/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-virginia.html","title":{"rendered":"Property Line and Fence Laws in Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Property Line and Fence Laws in Virginia<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, 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

Property line and fence laws in Virginia are designed to set forth responsibilities between neighbors regarding boundary fences, property lines, and tree encroachments.<\/b><\/blockquote>\r\n

Disagreements with neighbors can be a real headache. It’s not uncommon for neighboring property owners to disagree about issues like fence lines<\/a>, property lines, or overhanging tree branches. Virginia has laws in place to address these issues.<\/p>\r\n

This article discusses the property line and fence laws in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including laws on trimming trees. While fence installation and fence maintenance<\/a> are things you should be able to discuss calmly with your neighbor, that isn\u2019t always the case.<\/p>\r\n

If you\u2019re currently dealing with a dispute over property boundaries<\/a> or an existing fence that abuts a neighboring property, it might be a good idea to contact a local attorney<\/a>. We’ve also included links to helpful FindLaw articles below.<\/p>\r\n

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

Virginia has extensive statutes addressing boundary fences<\/a>, also known as partition or division fences. These fences run along a homeowner\u2019s property line, and Virginia law requires property owners to build, maintain, and pay for them.<\/p>\r\n

While Virginia law requires boundary fences, it does not specifically prohibit \u201cspite fences<\/a>.\u201d These are fences that a homeowner installs to distinguish their property from their neighbor\u2019s property. They may also install spite fences to antagonize their neighbor.<\/p>\r\n

Even though there is no Virginia statute prohibiting spite fences, there are local ordinances and local regulations that impact a property owner\u2019s ability to install this type of fence. While violating a local fence regulation may not seem like a big deal, it can cost you hundreds of dollars in fines and leave you with a giant headache. Make sure to check with your town’s zoning ordinances before getting started on any installation.<\/p>\r\n

Virginia\u2019s No-Fence Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

According to Virginia state law, anyone who owns domesticated livestock<\/a>, such as cows or sheep, must construct fences to prevent their animals from entering their neighbors\u2019 property. At the same time, these property owners must also provide their livestock with enough land to run free.<\/p>\r\n

Virginia law also permits people with an with an easement<\/a> to replace fences with a lawful gate or cattle guard<\/a> to help protect livestock.<\/p>\r\n

If you happen to own livestock and aren\u2019t sure how to best comply with this no-fence law<\/a>, talk to a local real estate attorney<\/a>. They can answer any questions you have about Virginia fence laws and let you know if you need to construct new fences or rip an existing fence out.<\/p>\r\n

Types of Fences in Virginia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

It\u2019s possible that a property owner can work hard to comply with the local fencing laws only to learn that they haven\u2019t installed a lawful fence. For example, not all property owners have the right to construct a barbed wire or electric fence<\/a>. These can be dangerous for the rest of the community, especially children.<\/p>\r\n

According to Virginia state law, there are two categories of legal fences. These are:<\/p>\r\n