De Pere, WI Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

Sec. 54-7(b) of the Code of Ordinances places the survey burden on whoever is building the fence: the owner of the property shall be responsible for locating all property lines prior to construction of any fence. The same subsection lets fences, walls and hedges sit directly along a shared lot line, so long as they shall not encroach on the adjacent properties. Sec. 54-7(c)(5) then dictates which face goes where: the most attractive side of a fence shall face the adjoining property, meaning that the structural supporting elements are located on the inside of the property, so the rails and posts face the fence owner's own yard, and the finished side faces the neighbor.

Sec. 54-7(b) also bars sharp or pointed pickets dangerous to life or limb regardless of which lot line the fence sits on, and requires hedges and other plantings to be continuously trimmed and confined to the property on which they are planted, so overgrowth onto a neighbor's yard is itself a violation separate from the fence rules. Sec. 54-7(b) closes with easement protections: fences in a drainage easement cannot impede normal water drainage, and a fence built in a utility easement can be removed by the utility contractor at the owner's expense, so a fence placed on the line without checking easement records can be torn out with no compensation to the owner.