Owning property doesn't mean you can build a fence anywhere on it. Setback requirements and easements restrict where fences can go — and building in a restricted zone can result in forced removal at your expense.
The AFA's Fence Installation School site preparation module emphasizes verifying the site plan before installation, including checking for "safety precautions, job specifications and site characteristics." Easements and setbacks are among the most important site characteristics to verify.
What Are Setbacks?
Setbacks are minimum distances between a fence (or structure) and a property line, street, sidewalk, or other reference point. They're set by local zoning codes and exist for safety, aesthetics, and utility access.
Common fence setback requirements:
| Location | Typical Setback |
|---|---|
| From street/curb | 1–3 feet |
| From sidewalk | 0–2 feet |
| From property line (side/rear) | 0–6 inches (many cities allow building ON the line) |
| From corner lot sight triangle | Varies — usually no fence above 30" in the triangle area |
| From fire hydrant | 3–5 feet |
| From utility pole/box | 3–4 feet |
These vary by city. Dallas has different setbacks than Tampa which differ from Phoenix. Check your local zoning code or call your building department. Our permit guide by state covers general requirements.
What Are Easements?
Easements are legal rights that allow someone else (usually a utility company or the city) to access or use part of your property. You own the land, but you can't build permanent structures that would obstruct that access.
Utility Easements
The most common type. Utility companies have easements along property lines (rear and side) for:
- Power lines (above or below ground)
- Gas lines
- Water and sewer mains
- Cable/fiber/telecom
What this means for fences: You can usually build a fence in a utility easement, but the utility company has the right to remove it — without compensation — if they need access. If they dig up your fence line to repair a water main, they'll fill the trench but won't rebuild your fence.
Typical utility easement widths: 5–15 feet along rear property lines, 5–10 feet along side lines.
Drainage Easements
Designed to manage water flow. Common in:
- Subdivisions with engineered drainage
- Properties near creeks, retention ponds, or flood zones
- Areas with grading requirements
What this means for fences: A fence in a drainage easement can block water flow, creating flooding on your property or your neighbor's. The city can require removal if the fence obstructs drainage. Some cities require fences in drainage easements to have gaps at the bottom (2–4 inches) for water passage.
Access Easements
Allow neighboring properties or the public to cross your land. Common for:
- Shared driveways
- Pedestrian paths
- Beach/lake access
What this means for fences: You cannot block an access easement with a fence. Gates with locks may be permitted if the easement holder has a key.
How to Find Easements on Your Property
1. Property Plat/Survey
Your property plat (the legal map of your lot) shows all recorded easements with dimensions. If you got a survey when buying your home, easements should be marked.
2. Title Report
Your title insurance documents list all easements as exceptions. Pull your title commitment or policy.
3. County Records
Recorded easements are public information. Your county clerk's office or online property records portal will show them.
4. Utility Company
Call each utility provider (electric, gas, water, cable) and ask about easements on your property. They keep detailed records of their access rights.
5. Call 811
The 811 utility marking service shows you where underground utilities are — which corresponds to where utility easements likely exist. This doesn't replace a legal easement search but gives you a practical picture. See our 811 guide.
Corner Lot Sight Triangles
Corner lots have special restrictions. The "sight triangle" is the area near the intersection where fences must be short enough for drivers to see pedestrians and traffic.
How it works: Measure a set distance from the corner along each street (typically 15–30 feet, varies by city). Draw a diagonal line between those two points. Within that triangle, nothing — fences, hedges, signs — can exceed 30–36 inches in height.
This is the most frequently violated fence regulation on corner lots. Cities actively enforce it because of the safety implications. See our height regulations guide for more.
Building in Easements: The Risk Calculation
Can you build a fence in an easement? Technically, yes — in most cases no one will stop you at the time of construction. The permit application may not even flag it if you don't disclose it.
Should you? Consider the risk:
- The utility company can remove your fence without compensation or notice in an emergency
- Planned utility work (upgrading lines, replacing pipes) will require fence removal — at your cost
- During a home sale, a title search may flag the fence-in-easement as a deficiency
- Insurance may not cover damage to a fence built in a known easement
The smart approach: Build the fence at the edge of the easement, not through the middle. If your rear property has a 10-foot utility easement, set the fence 10 feet from the rear property line. You lose some yard space but gain certainty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a fence on my property line?
In most cities, yes — many allow fences directly on the property line. Some require a small setback (2–6 inches). Building slightly inside your line avoids disputes. See our property line guide.
What happens if I build in an easement?
Short-term: probably nothing. Long-term: the easement holder can require removal at your expense. The fence also complicates future property sales and may void related insurance coverage.
Does my contractor check for easements?
Most don't — they build where you tell them to build. Checking easements is the homeowner's responsibility. Review your property plat and title documents before finalizing fence layout.
Can I get an easement removed?
Easements can sometimes be vacated (legally removed) if the easement holder agrees and files appropriate paperwork with the county. Utility easements are rarely vacated. Expired or unused access easements are more commonly removable. Consult a real estate attorney.
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*Site preparation and verification per AFA Fence Installation School Core Training module 5.*