Wisconsin's partition fence statute (WI Stat 90.03) requires adjoining rural/agricultural landowners to share cost of boundary fences. In urban Madison, the line fence statute rarely applies; disputes are civil matters.
WI Stat Chapter 90 is Wisconsin's historic line fence (partition fence) law. It requires adjoining landowners of agricultural or rural parcels to share the cost of boundary fences equitably, with town supervisors empowered to adjudicate disputes (WI Stat 90.03 and 90.05). Within Madison city limits, the vast majority of parcels are urban residential and the partition fence statute does not apply directly. City ordinances do not force neighbors to share fence costs. Fences must be installed on or inside your own property line; straddling the line requires a written agreement. The good side of the fence generally must face the neighbor. Disputes over fence location, maintenance, damage, or encroachment are civil matters handled through small claims court or private mediation. Dane County Extension and mediation services can help. A survey is strongly recommended before installing a line fence to avoid encroachment claims.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Madison, WI
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Madison, WI
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Madison, WI
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Dane County.
See how other cities in Dane County handle neighbor fence rules.
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