Providence, RI Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforced by
- the city's fence viewer
- Notice before order
- 10 days
- Repair deadline set
- at least 30 days
- Delinquent owner owes
- double the repair cost
- Cost lien lasts
- two years on the land
Summary
Neighbors who share a partition fence in Providence must maintain it together, and if one owner neglects it, the city's fence viewer can order repairs, rebuilding, or removal on a set deadline.
Whenever any proprietor, possessor or owner of land shall neglect or refuse to repair, remove or rebuild any partition fence, the adjoining owner may complain to the fence viewer of the city who, after ten (10) days' notice to such proprietor, possessor or owner, shall attend and view the same...If he shall find said complaint to be true after taking a view, he shall in writing order the delinquent party to repair, remove or rebuild the same within such time as he shall therein appoint, not less than thirty (30) days.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 7).
Full Breakdown
Providence Code Sec. 5-46 through 5-54 make hedges, stone walls, woven wire, and other partition fences on a shared lot line the joint duty of both adjoining owners. If one refuses to fix a failing fence, the neighbor can file a complaint with the city's elected fence viewer, who inspects the fence, issues a written repair order with at least 30 days to comply, and can send a surveyor to settle disputed division lines.
Violations & Fines
Ignore a fence viewer's repair order and the neighbor can rebuild the fence themselves, then legally collect double the repair cost plus 10 percent annual interest, secured by a lien on your land for two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to fix a shared fence between neighbors in Providence?
What happens if my neighbor won't pay for their share?
Can a barbed wire fence be used as a boundary fence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Providence
Compare Providence to another location·View the Rhode Island fence regulations overview
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