Neighbor Fence Rules: Belmont vs Somerville
How do neighbor fence rules rules compare between Belmont, MA and Somerville, MA?
Belmont and Somerville have similar restriction levels.
Belmont, MA
Middlesex County
Massachusetts Fence Law (MGL c.49) governs neighbor fence disputes in Middlesex County. Fence Viewers in each town presume a 50/50 cost split for boundary fences between adjoining landowners.
View full Belmont rules →Somerville, MA
Middlesex County
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 49 governs partition fences between neighbors, and Somerville follows the state rule that the finished side faces the neighbor's property.
View full Somerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Belmont | Somerville |
|---|---|---|
| Fence Law | MGL Chapter 49 | - |
| Cost Split | 50/50 presumption | - |
| Spite Fence Law | MGL c.140 s.162 | - |
| Spite Fence Threshold | Over 6 ft, malicious intent | - |
| Dispute Resolver | Town Fence Viewers | - |
| Governing law | - | MGL Chapter 49 |
| Finished side | - | Faces neighbor |
| Spite fence rule | - | MGL c.49 s.21 |
| Cost-sharing disputes | - | Board of Fence Viewers |
| Shared fence | - | Requires written agreement |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Belmont FAQ
Who pays for a shared fence in Massachusetts?
Under MGL c.49, adjoining landowners presumptively share costs 50/50 unless they agree otherwise or a Fence Viewer rules differently.
What is a spite fence?
Under MGL c.140 s.162, a fence over 6 feet erected maliciously to annoy a neighbor is a private nuisance and actionable in court.
Somerville FAQ
Do I have to share fence costs?
Under MGL c.49 cost-sharing is possible between abutting owners of improved land; in practice most Somerville neighbors negotiate informally.
What is a spite fence?
Any fence over 6 feet built to annoy a neighbor with no legitimate use; Massachusetts law allows it to be declared a private nuisance.
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