Fences aren’t required in North Carolina unless you have livestock on your land or a swimming pool or hot tub. If you decide to build a fence around your property, your neighbors aren’t under any obligation to help pay for or maintain it.

If you’re thinking about putting up a fence on your property, there are a lot of factors to consider. Not only do you have to consider your neighbors and property boundaries, but there might also be state laws and local ordinances to follow.

That’s why home and

car insurance

broker app

Jerry

has put together this guide with everything you need to know about fence laws in North Carolina.

Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Shop Now

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

What is North Carolina’s Fence and Stock Law?

Chapter 68

of North Carolina’s General Statutes establishes North Carolina as a “fencing-in state,” meaning that anyone who owns livestock is required by law to build a fence around their property to keep their animals penned in.

“Livestock” includes but isn’t limited to:

Equine animals

Bovine animals

Sheep and goats

Llamas

Swine

Letting the animals roam outside your property or failing to maintain a proper fence can result in a misdemeanor charge, so it’s incredibly important to construct a fence and keep it up to standard if you own livestock in North Carolina.

What if I don’t own livestock?

If you’re living in North Carolina and you don’t have any livestock animals, then you don’t have to build a fence around your property. However, if you do want to build a fence, there are a few key things to keep in mind.

Unlike in some other states where neighbors are obligated to pay for and maintain fences along property boundaries, no such obligation exists in North Carolina—meaning that if you want to put up a fence, you’ll have to pay for it all yourself.

You and your neighbors can agree to erect a fence on a property boundary and maintain it jointly. However, it’s best to get any agreement about a boundary fence in writing.

Keep in mind that if your neighbor sells their house, the agreement is no longer enforceable with the new owners. To avoid any messy fence disputes, it’s wiser to just build a fence within your property boundaries from the start.

Spite fences

Sometimes fences don’t make good neighbors—and North Carolina law agrees. If you or a neighbor builds a fence that serves no purpose to the owner other than to annoy their neighbor, North Carolina courts would consider it a “spite fence.”

If the fence “blocks the air or light” of a neighbor, then a court will consider it a nuisance. If, however, the fence was erected to shield your property from “objectionable noises or unseemingly conduct” coming from your neighbors, a court is less likely to consider the fence a nuisance.

Key Takeaway You are required to build a fence around your property if you own livestock. Otherwise, fences are optional. Your neighbors are under no obligation to pay for or maintain a boundary fence.

MORE: What’s the difference between a builder and general contractor?

Does North Carolina law require fences?

Only under specific circumstances.

If you own livestock, North Carolina law requires that you build a fence to keep your animals penned in.

North Carolina law also requires fences around any pool or hot tub capable of holding 24 or more inches of water. These regulations are to prevent accidental drownings, especially for young children.

If you have a hot tub or pool on your property, it must meet the following requirements:

Completely surrounded by a barrier at least 4 feet tall

Slats in said barrier can be no further apart than 4 inches

Links in a chain-link fence can be no wider than 2.25 inches

Barrier or fence must be able to support 150 pounds of weight without collapsing

All attached gates must be secure and have a self-closing latch

If the wall of a building or house serves as part of the barrier, any windows in that wall must have security features

There are a few exceptions to these codes. For instance, you don’t need a fence around an above-ground pool with sides taller than 4 feet as long as the ladder to access the pool is removable. If you have a hot tub with a cover that meets ASTM Safety Cover guidelines, you don’t need a fence around it.

MORE:

How to choose the right kind of home insurance for you

How to legally build a fence in North Carolina

Before building a fence around your property in North Carolina, it’s a good idea to check your local city or county building codes to see if you need a permit to build a fence.

If you’re planning to build a fence over 4 feet tall, you’ll likely need a permit.

Keep in mind that your fence needs to be within the bounds of your property unless you have an express written agreement with your neighbors. If you’re unsure where your property line is, you’ll need to have your property surveyed.

Does homeowners insurance cover fences?

Typically, insurance providers consider fences “other structures” in your homeowners policy. This means that most policies will cover damage to your fence due to any of the named perils listed in your policy, usually for up to 10% of your dwelling coverage amount.

Read your policy carefully to see if your fence is covered for damage caused by natural disasters, as named perils lists are limited. If this is the case, you might want to purchase extra insurance coverage to make sure your property is fully covered.

MORE: How to decipher home insurance quotes

How to save money on homeowners insurance in North Carolina

There are many unique factors about living in North Carolina that can affect the cost of homeowners insurance, but with the

Jerry

app, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal on your home and auto insurance.

After downloading the Jerry app, all you have to do is enter your information and then sit back and let Jerry do the rest of the work. Not only will you have access to personalized quotes from the nation’s top providers, but Jerry will also provide end-to-end support and help you find bundling options.

“I was literally floored by the savings
Jerry
found for me. I was paying close to $960 every 6 months and now I’m paying $380 every 6 months for IDENTICAL COVERAGE in North Carolina!” —Olivia Z.

FAQs

Do I need a permit to build a fence in North Carolina?

In most cases, yes. If you’re planning to build a fence over 4 feet tall, it’s a good idea to check your local building codes to see if you need a permit or not.

Can my neighbor make me pay for a fence in North Carolina?

No. There is no legal obligation for a neighbor to help pay for or maintain a fence in North Carolina. If you want to build a fence, it’s best to build it within the boundaries of your property to avoid any conflicts with neighbors.

How close to my property line can I build my fence in North Carolina?

You can build a fence right up to your property line in North Carolina, but not on or over it. Your neighbors are not obligated to help you maintain a fence on the property line, so it’s best to stay well within your property boundary.

Save an average of 18% by bundling your home and auto insurance

Bundle your home and auto insurance with Jerry and save!

Try Jerry