Which Side of the Fence Must Face the Neighbor?

When I started planning to install a brand-new backyard fence, the advice I heard repeatedly was: “Always put the finished side toward your neighbor.” It seemed like a golden rule; everyone just assumed that this is how fences work. However, the more I read, the more I began to wonder. Is this really a rule? Or is this simply another thing that people repeat without thinking about it? Therefore, I decided to go on a fact-finding mission to learn more about whether there is a requirement to face the neighbor with the finished side of a fence. Or is this simply something that people feel is a polite thing to do?

What People Are Talking About When They Refer to the “Back” or “Unfinished” Side of a Fence

Before we move forward, it would help to understand the terms that are being used. Many people refer to the “finished” side of a fence as the side that does not have all the railings, post structures, or supports visible. This is the side of the fence that appears to be clean and nicely presented.

In many cases, the “unfinished” side of a fence will have all the structural elements visible, such as crossbeams or vertical posts. Most wooden fences are constructed so that one side of the fence has the pickets (the boards that run horizontally) and the opposite side has the frame that holds everything in place.

When fencing two neighboring properties, this is where problems can arise with the neighbors. If your beautiful side of the fence is facing inward and their eyes are constantly looking at the unattractive side of the fence, that can be a bit of a problem.

Origin of the “Neighbor-Facing” Rule

Although the “neighbor-facing” rule has been around for quite a while, it is not a law; rather, it is more of a social norm that people follow. Historically, the person who paid for the fence would show the better side of the fence outward as a form of respect to the neighbor and a sign of good faith. Previously, it was an unwritten agreement among neighbors. Although you had paid for the fence, you would not subject your neighbor to the backside of the fence.

Also, it makes sense aesthetically. It is much nicer to view a fence from the street or sidewalk than the unattractive side of the fence. Furthermore, it was viewed as a social norm and a courteous act, especially in suburban neighborhoods where houses were typically very close to each other. That is why the advice is so widespread. It is perceived as fair and neighborly, but it is not necessarily legally enforceable.

Is It Actually a Legal Requirement? What I Discovered While Looking Into It

Here is the part that shocked me: it is not a law in most places. I contacted my city’s building code department and there was absolutely nothing mentioned in the building code regarding which side of a fence should be facing outward. However, there are certain locations that do have laws or regulations.

Some municipalities or HOAs have laws that specify the direction that the finished side of a fence should be oriented, particularly if the fence abuts a street, sidewalk, or public space. Additionally, there are some municipalities or HOAs that regulate the height of fences. Set back requirements may also impact the orientation of a fence.

Nonetheless, there is no universal law that requires the “better side” to be oriented toward the neighbor. Ultimately, the decision will depend upon where you reside. My best advice is to always contact:

Local government or zoning department

Local homeowners associations or community guidelines

Property survey (to confirm that you own the land you intend to build on)

Who Owns the Fence and How That Affects Everything

Ownership is important here. If you construct the entire fence on your property (for example, a couple of inches inside your property line), you typically have complete authority over which direction the fence is oriented. However, if the fence is a shared fence (meaning it lies directly on the property line), things become more complex.

Many shared fences involve shared liability. That means that maintenance costs, cost responsibilities, and ultimately, decisions on which side of the fence to orient are shared. In some jurisdictions, these are referred to as “boundary fences.” There may be specific local guidelines governing their construction or maintenance.

If you and your neighbor are equally responsible for the fence, it would be beneficial to draft a formal agreement outlining how decisions will be made and who will bear financial responsibility for the fence. Believe me, this will save you a tremendous amount of stress and potential conflict down the road.

Examples of Situations Where the Finished Side Does Not Face the Neighbor

This is the point at which the “always face the neighbor” rule begins to break down. There are numerous legitimate situations in which someone may not have the finished side of the fence oriented toward their neighbor. Examples include:

Good neighbor fences (double-sided) are designed to appear the same on both sides of the fence. Therefore, neither party is disadvantaged.

Private concerns (such as obstructing views or supporting tall panels) may necessitate placing the fence posts inside to provide additional structural reinforcement.

Sloping terrain may require changing the orientation of the fence to accommodate the topography of the land.

Cost factors may cause an individual to select a less expensive type of fence that does not have a visually appealing side.

Trees, sheds, or other obstructions may limit where and how the fence is installed.

There are even instances in which individuals choose to install fences backward for security purposes. When rails are on the inside of the fence, it becomes more difficult to climb.

Best Practices I Would Suggest Prior to Constructing a Fence

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