Neighbor Fence Rules: Buffalo vs Clarence
How do neighbor fence rules rules compare between Buffalo, NY and Clarence, NY?
Buffalo and Clarence have similar restriction levels.
Buffalo, NY
Erie County
Buffalo is a common-law state for shared fences. There is no statutory 50/50 cost-sharing requirement. Spite fences over 10 feet erected to annoy neighbors are actionable under NY RPAPL section 843 as a private nuisance.
View full Buffalo rules →Clarence, NY
Erie County
Erie County has no countywide fence or boundary-line law. Neighbor issues fall under your municipality's zoning code plus New York State civil law, including the Spite Fence and RPAPL boundary rules. Check your town or village code first.
View full Clarence rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Buffalo | Clarence |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Sharing | No statutory split | - |
| Spite Fence | RPAPL 843 over 10 ft | - |
| Survey | Recommended | - |
| Finished Side | Must face neighbor | - |
| Disputes | Civil court | - |
| County rule | - | None; municipal plus state law |
| Spite fence | - | State law, over 10 feet |
| Boundary disputes | - | Civil matter; survey advised |
| Yard limits | - | Set by local zoning |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Buffalo FAQ
Can I force my neighbor to split the fence cost?
No. New York has no shared-fence cost statute. Agreements must be voluntary.
What is a spite fence?
Under RPAPL 843, a fence over 10 feet built to annoy a neighbor with no useful purpose can be enjoined as a nuisance.
Clarence FAQ
Does Erie County require neighbors to share fence costs?
No countywide law requires cost-sharing. New York has no general shared-fence statute for residential lots; agreements between neighbors are private and best put in writing.
What about a spite fence?
New York's spite-fence rule applies statewide. A fence over 10 feet built maliciously to annoy a neighbor can be a private nuisance and grounds for a civil claim.
Compare other topics
See how Buffalo and Clarence compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool