Your home’s survey—that dusty document from closing day—is your treasure map. It shows exactly where your property lines run, and if the fence sits squarely inside them, it’s yours. Surveys are like the Rosetta Stone of fence ownership, but they can be tricky to read. If you don’t have one, your county’s tax assessor or a quick visit to the land records office can save you a headache.
Here’s a fun fact: in many U.S. states, a fence built exactly on the boundary line is considered joint property. That means both you and your neighbor share the cost and the responsibility. It’s like a marriage, but with more nail guns and less romance.
