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Plymouth County, MA Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Cost Sharing
Voluntary; no statute
Boundary Disputes
Civil court only
Spite Fence
Over 6 ft is nuisance
Survey
Settles the property line

Summary

Massachusetts imposes no general duty to split a boundary fence's cost; each owner fences their own land. The one statewide neighbor rule is MGL c.49 §21: a malicious fence over six feet is a private nuisance the neighbor can sue over.

City-specific rules exist: Brockton has its own neighbor fence rules rules that differ from Plymouth County's county-level regulations. If you live in Brockton, check the city-specific page instead.

A fence or other structure in the nature of a fence which unnecessarily exceeds six feet in height and is maliciously erected or maintained for the purpose of annoying the owners or occupants of adjoining property shall be deemed a private nuisance. Any such owner or occupant injured in the comfort or enjoyment of his estate thereby may have an action of tort for damages under chapter two hundred and forty-three.

Source: Massachusetts General LawsView official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

In Plymouth County a shared boundary fence is a private matter. No statute forces one neighbor to pay half of a residential division fence, so cost-sharing happens only by voluntary written agreement. A survey establishes the true line before building; an encroaching fence is resolved in civil court, not by the county or town. The statewide protection every neighbor keeps is MGL c.49 §21, which turns a fence over six feet built maliciously to annoy an adjoining owner into a private nuisance carrying a tort action for damages.

Violations & Fines

An encroaching fence is a civil trespass a court can order removed. A malicious spite fence over six feet exposes the builder to a nuisance suit for damages under MGL c.49 §21.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must my neighbor split the fence cost?
No Massachusetts statute forces cost-sharing for a residential boundary fence. Splitting the bill is voluntary; put any agreement in writing before building.
Can I sue over a spiteful fence?
Yes. MGL c.49 §21 makes a fence over six feet built maliciously to annoy you a private nuisance, giving you a tort action for damages.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Plymouth County

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsHeight LimitsFew RestrictionsFence Permit RequirementsFew RestrictionsRetaining WallsFew RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: BeekeepingFew RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Artificial TurfSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome Restrictions

All Plymouth County rules

Compare Plymouth County to another location·View the Massachusetts fence regulations overview

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Neighbor Fence Rules in Cities Across Plymouth County

Brockton, MA