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Scott County, MN Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Cost Sharing
Equal shares (MN Ch. 344)
Applies To
Adjoining livestock land
Fence Viewers
Township supervisors
Spite Fence
Barred (MN Sec. 561.02)
In Cities
Survey and city code govern

Summary

Minnesota's partition-fence law, Chapter 344, makes adjoining owners of livestock land share a division fence in equal shares, with township supervisors acting as fence viewers. It still matters across Scott County's rural townships. Spite fences are barred by Section 561.02.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Scott County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Except as provided in paragraph (b), if two adjoining lands are both used in whole or in part to produce or maintain livestock for agricultural or commercial purposes and one or both of the owners of the land desires the land to be partly or totally fenced, the land owners or occupants shall build and maintain a partition fence between their lands in equal shares.

Source: Minnesota StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

Minnesota is a partition-fence state. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 344.03, when two adjoining tracts are both used to raise or keep livestock and an owner wants the line fenced, the neighbors must build and maintain the partition fence in equal shares. When they cannot agree, the elected township supervisors serve as "fence viewers" under Section 344.01, inspect the line, and apportion each owner's share, a mechanism still used in the farm townships around Jordan, New Prague, and Belle Plaine. In town, cost-sharing rarely applies and disputes turn on the survey and city code. A fence built maliciously to annoy a neighbor is a private nuisance under Section 561.02.

Violations & Fines

If a neighbor refuses to share a partition fence on livestock land, the township fence viewers can assign and enforce each owner's portion under Chapter 344. Spite-fence and boundary disputes otherwise go to civil court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my neighbor have to help pay for a fence?
On adjoining livestock land, yes. Minnesota Statute 344.03 requires sharing a partition fence in equal shares, with township supervisors settling disputes as fence viewers.
What are fence viewers?
The elected township supervisors, who under Section 344.01 inspect a boundary fence and divide each owner's share when neighbors cannot agree. It is a long-standing rural Minnesota role.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Scott County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsHeight LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy Restrictions

All Scott County rules

Compare Scott County to another location·View the Minnesota fence regulations overview

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