Lakeville, MN Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

Lakeville's fence ordinance addresses neighbor relations directly. Section 11-21-5 provides that the owner of property where a fence exists or is to be built, together with the owner(s) of adjoining properties, will enter into an agreement regarding the location of the fence. This is intended to prevent boundary disputes before construction begins. The ordinance also includes a 'good neighbor' finished-side rule: the side of any fence considered to be its 'face' — the finished side having no structural supports — must face the abutting property or street right(s)-of-way. In other words, your neighbors and the street see the smooth side, while the posts and rails face into your own yard. For shared boundaries, Minnesota's partition fence law (Minn. Stat. ch. 344) can also govern cost-sharing of division fences between adjoining landowners where both make use of the fence, separate from the city's location and design rules. If a neighbor's fence is dangerous or in disrepair, the Zoning Administrator may pursue nuisance abatement under 11-21-5. For boundary-line certainty, a property survey is strongly recommended before signing any location agreement.