Property Line and Fence Laws in North Carolina

While they say good fences make good neighbors, anyone who has had a boundary dispute knows this is not necessarily true. It's common for neighbors to disagree on a number of issues, include property lines, boundary fences, and the trimming of trees near the property line. If you have encountered such problems, read on to learn more about fence laws in North Carolina.

North Carolina Property Line and Fence Laws at a Glance

In North Carolina, most of the laws requiring to fencing applies to landowners who own livestock. North Carolina is a "fencing-in" state, meaning that the owners of livestock are obligated to pen in their cattle, as opposed to some states in the western U.S. where cattle are allowed to graze freely and adjoining landowners who wish to exclude them must fence them out.

North Carolina fencing law doesn't require as much regulation of landowners who don't own livestock. Unless neighbors have an explicit agreement, fences can only be placed within the bounds of your own property. Adjoining landowners are free to jointly build and maintain boundary fences. It's a good idea to get any such agreement in writing and to make sure you understand all terms before signing.

North Carolina courts have developed law regarding "spite fences," which are defined as walls or fences that serve no beneficial use to the owner and are built solely to annoy a neighbor. These sorts of fences can be considered a nuisance if they shut out light and air from a neighbor's property.

The following chart provides more information about North Carolina laws governing property lines, fences, and tree trimming.

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Related Property Line, Fence, and Tree Resources

• Property Boundaries, Lines and Neighbors FAQ
• Boundary Disputes
• Fencing Laws and Your Neighbors: FAQs
• Neighbor Fence Disputes
• Conflicts Involving Trees and Neighbors

Consider Lawyering-Up for Your North Carolina Property Dispute

In an ideal world, neighbors could coexist peacefully; but the unfortunate reality is that disagreements with neighbors are extremely common. If you and your neighbor are not seeing eye-to-eye about property lines, fences, or trees, you understand first-hand how stressful the experience can be. Consider getting help from an experienced North Carolina real estate attorney, who will explain your legal rights and outline your options going forward.