A well-maintained residential fence adds a touch of curb appeal to your home. But a good fence does much more than that—it helps define property boundaries, provides security, and enhances the overall value of your home. Residential fencing can be made in a variety of styles and materials, so you have many choices to consider when deciding on the perfect fit for your home and lifestyle.
Before the first post hole is dug, there are a few things you should do to make sure your fence will be in compliance with your neighborhood rules and requirements. From obtaining the necessary permits to touching base with neighbors, these few steps can help avoid issues between you and your neighbor or with your city or county before they even have a chance to arise.
The main function of residential fencing is to create a barrier that keeps children and pets safe within the yard. However, there are a variety of other functions that your fencing can perform as well. Some of the most common are listed below:
Homeowners typically install fences for aesthetic reasons as they give a yard a more finished look and feel. A well-maintained fence demonstrates that the homeowner takes pride in their property, which can have a positive effect on resale value and attract potential buyers.
Many homeowners choose to build a fence to demarcate their property from the surrounding area and prevent trespassers or loiterers from entering their backyard. A strong and sturdy fence can also serve as a visual barrier that makes it difficult to see the home behind. A good residential fence can keep pets and children inside as well, which is a benefit for those with small animals or babies.
Residential fencing is often a good choice to protect your property from intruders as it is difficult for them to scale or climb over it. Wood fences are popular because they offer privacy and a classic look that will last for generations. Steel fences are also a common choice because they provide a sleek look and a strong barrier that can deter trespassers or loiterers.
Many subdivision CC&Rs have provisions regulating the appearance of fencing, including material and height restrictions. These regulations can be an important aspect of maintaining a cohesive look for the community and can prevent ugly and out-of-character fences from popping up in neighborhoods. If your neighbor builds an ugly fence to annoy you or exceeds fence height limitations, many states have laws that allow you to sue them to make them remove the fence.
If you build your residential fence on the property line with your neighbor, it is important to discuss this with them and agree upon a boundary marker in case a dispute should occur. If you don’t, they may take advantage of the law of adverse possession, which states that a property owner can legally claim any part of your land if you fail to mark it with a fence or other boundary marker.