A fence is a structure that encloses an area, typically outdoors, and is usually constructed from posts that are connected by boards, wire, rails or netting.[1] A fence differs from a wall in not having a solid foundation along its whole length.[2]
Alternatives to fencing include a ditch (sometimes filled with water, forming a moat).
A balustrade or railing is a kind of fence to prevent people from falling over the edge, for example, on a balcony, stairway (see railing system), roof, bridge, or elsewhere near a body of water, places where people stand or walk and the terrain is dangerously inclined.
The following types of areas or facilities often are required by law to be fenced in, for safety and security reasons:
Fences can be the source of bitter arguments between neighbors, and there are often special laws to deal with these problems. Common disagreements include what kind of fence is required, what kind of repairs are needed, and how to share the costs.
In some legislatures the standard height of a fence is limited, and to exceed it a special permit is required.
Servitudes[6] are legal arrangements of land use arising out of private agreements. Under the feudal system, most land in England was cultivated in common fields, where peasants were allocated strips of arable land that were used to support the needs of the local village or manor. By the sixteenth century the growth of population and prosperity provided incentives for landowners to use their land in more profitable ways, dispossessing the peasantry. Common fields were aggregated and enclosed by large and enterprising farmerseither through negotiation among one another or by lease from the landlordto maximize the productivity of the available land and contain livestock. Fences redefined the means by which land is used, resulting in the modern law of servitudes.[7]
In the United States, the earliest settlers claimed land by simply fencing it in. Later, as the American government formed, unsettled land became technically owned by the government and programs to register land ownership developed, usually making raw land available for low prices or for free, if the owner improved the property, including the construction of fences. However, the remaining vast tracts of unsettled land were often used as a commons, or, in the American West, "open range" as degradation of habitat developed due to overgrazing and a tragedy of the commons situation arose, common areas began to either be allocated to individual landowners via mechanisms such as the Homestead Act and Desert Land Act and fenced in, or, if kept in public hands, leased to individual users for limited purposes, with fences built to separate tracts of public and private land.
Ownership of a fence on a boundary varies. The last relevant original title deed(s)[8] and a completed seller's property information form may document which side has to put up and has installed any fence respectively; the first using "T" marks/symbols (the side with the "T" denotes the owner); the latter by a ticked box to the best of the last owner's belief with no duty, as the conventionally agreed conveyancing process stresses, to make any detailed, protracted enquiry.[9] Commonly the mesh or panelling is in mid-position. Otherwise it tends to be on non-owner's side so the fence owner might access the posts when repairs are needed but this is not a legal requirement.[10] Where estate planners wish to entrench privacy a close-boarded fence or equivalent well-maintained hedge of a minimum height may be stipulated by deed. Beyond a standard height planning permission is necessary.
Where a rural fence or hedge has (or in some cases had) an adjacent ditch, the ditch is normally in the same ownership as the hedge or fence, with the ownership boundary being the edge of the ditch furthest from the fence or hedge.[11] The principle of this rule is that an owner digging a boundary ditch will normally dig it up to the very edge of their land, and must then pile the spoil on their own side of the ditch to avoid trespassing on their neighbour. They may then erect a fence or hedge on the spoil, leaving the ditch on its far side. Exceptions exist in law, for example where a plot of land derives from subdivision of a larger one along the centre line of a previously-existing ditch or other feature, particularly where reinforced by historic parcel numbers with acreages beneath which were used to tally up a total for administrative units not to confirm the actual size of holdings, a rare instance where Ordnance Survey maps often provide more than circumstantial evidence namely as to which feature is to be considered the boundary.
On private land in the United Kingdom, it is the landowner's responsibility to fence their livestock in. Conversely, for common land, it is the surrounding landowners' duty to fence the common's livestock out such as in large parts of the New Forest. Large commons with livestock roaming have been greatly reduced by 18th and 19th century Acts for enclosure of commons covering most local units, with most remaining such land in the UK's National Parks.
Distinctly different land ownership and fencing patterns arose in the eastern and western United States. Original fence laws on the east coast were based on the British common law system, and rapidly increasing population quickly resulted in laws requiring livestock to be fenced in. In the west, land ownership patterns and policies reflected a strong influence of Spanish law and tradition, plus the vast land area involved made extensive fencing impractical until mandated by a growing population and conflicts between landowners. The "open range" tradition of requiring landowners to fence out unwanted livestock was dominant in most of the rural west until very late in the 20th century, and even today, a few isolated regions of the west still have open range statutes on the books. More recently, fences are generally constructed on the surveyed property line as precisely as possible. Today, across the nation, each state is free to develop its own laws regarding fences. In many cases for both rural and urban property owners, the laws were designed to require adjacent landowners to share the responsibility for maintaining a common boundary fenceline. Today, however, only 22 states have retained that provision.
The value of fences and the metaphorical significance of a fence, both positive and negative, has been extensively utilized throughout western culture. A few examples include:
Media related to Fences at Wikimedia Commons
Read more:
Fence - Wikipedia
- Sun Prairie fences off pond where 2 brothers died after falling through ice - Fox11online.com - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- BBMP to spend 32.5 crore to fence lakes - Times of India - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Stray Cat Watches Guy Through Hole In Fence Hiding An Adorable Secret - The Dodo - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Everyone can see the fence but you have the eyes of a hawk if you can spot the cat in ten seconds... - The US Sun - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Wisconsin city fences off pond following deaths of 2 boys who fell through ice - Fox News - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Sun Prairie fences off pond where 2 boys died after falling through ice - Ashland Daily Press - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Will Mass Migration Breach Poland's Famous Border Fence? - The National Interest Online - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- 'The Bear': Ebon Moss-Bachrach On Whether Carmy & Richie Mend Fences In Season 3 Emmys Red Carpet - Yahoo New Zealand News - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- India Plans to Fence Off Myanmar Frontier - The Irrawaddy - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Migrant pinned to fence and dragged away after trying to speak to reporters at Manston in Kent - Sky News - November 10th, 2022 [November 10th, 2022]
- Balkan Route: Hungary Increasing Fence on Serbian Border Amid Ongoing Violence and Extended Controls, NGOs to Launch a Joint Action to Support... - November 10th, 2022 [November 10th, 2022]
- Parents devastated after autistic child kicked out of school because it doesn't have a fence - Newshub - November 10th, 2022 [November 10th, 2022]
- Fence surrounding US Capitol is expected to come down starting on July 8 - Fox News - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- The Peruvian Pavilion in the 2021 Venice Biennale Seeks to Transform Fences into Tools for Integration - ArchDaily - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Galloping and Setting Up for Cross-Country Fences: A Conversation - United States Eventing Association - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- On the fence about getting your children vaccinated for COVID? Here are a few reasons to consider it - Providence - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Fence Supply Inc. Forms Partnership with Fencing Supply Group, a Portfolio Company of The Sterling Group - PRNewswire - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Why You Need to Turn Around When You See A Purple Fence Post in IL - q985online.com - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- 'The Fence is Never Coming Down,' and Other Things Urban Alchemy Told Us - Knock LA - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Coffee shop owners forgive teens who graffitied fence, let them paint over it - Yahoo News - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Is This Why Prince Harry Can't Mend Fences With The Royals - The List - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Why Tho? Weve been warned about you! Neighbors find theyre the Boo Radleys of the subdivision - OregonLive - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Bear Spotted At Area Condo Complex Before Climbing Fence - Southwest Dutchess Daily Voice - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Bear Spotted At Westchester Condo Complex Before Climbing Fence - White Plains Daily Voice - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Policy regime nudged fence-sitters to be first-time homebuyers: Niranjan Hiranandani - BusinessLine - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Baseball Mascots: Ranking the MLB Mascots - Through The Fence Baseball - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Over the Garden Fence: Your garden in the spotlight - Bournemouth Echo - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Group formed to make fences more wildlife friendly in Cody area - Billings Gazette - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Dog abandoned, left tied to fence in Escondido park - 10News - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Unusual history behind the fences on South London estates dating back to the war - My London - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Bill Press: Tear down this fence! | TheHill - The Hill - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- DHHL removes campers, installs fence in Kalawahine on Oahu - KHON2 - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Driver in custody after plowing through fence, ending pursuit with lengthy standoff in Woodland Hills - KTLA Los Angeles - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Reopening gripes, fence frustrations and a wage freeze | HeraldNet.com - The Daily Herald - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Yeh, nah, maybe. When it comes to accepting the COVID vaccine, it's Australia's fence-sitters we should pay attention to - The Conversation AU - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- New Plymouth woman goes on the fence offensive - Stuff.co.nz - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- LFR battles shed fire that spread to fence, threatened 2 homes in East Lubbock Sunday - KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- [UPDATED] Driver Hits Multiple Cars and a Fence in Early Morning Crash, Says Fortuna PD Redheaded Blackbelt - Redheaded Blackbelt - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Audio: Missouri fence laws topic of in-person program on February 23 and March 8, 2021 - kttn - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- There Are Ways To Protect The Capitol Without A Fence - Yahoo News - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- On The Fence About COVID Vaccines? These Teens Want To Talk To You - Colorado Public Radio - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- Across the Fence: Salt On Our Tongues - The Suburban Times - February 9th, 2021 [February 9th, 2021]
- New London woman drives through yards and fences, crashes into garage after leaving car wash in Willmar - West Central Tribune - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- Everyday Ethics: Fences and neighbors [Opinion] - Reading Eagle - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- Independence amends ordinance on fences, hedges and walls - cleveland.com - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- Proposal to build permanent fence around the Capitol meets resistance - CNN - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- Rep. Bob Gibbs gives thumbs up to border fence, thumbs down to Capitol Hill security fence - cleveland.com - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- Watch: More Barbed Wire Fences, Spikes On Roads At Singhu Protest Site - NDTV - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- Rep. Budd tells Congress to tear down its fence - Washington Times - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- Section Of Fence At Silverdale Detention Center Found To Have Been Cut; All Inmates Accounted For - The Chattanoogan - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- Types of Fences - The Home Depot - January 30th, 2021 [January 30th, 2021]
- Fences 3.09 for Windows - Download - January 30th, 2021 [January 30th, 2021]
- Wood Fence Panels - Wood Fencing - The Home Depot - January 30th, 2021 [January 30th, 2021]
- McCarthy Tries to Mend Fences With Trump - The Wall Street Journal - January 30th, 2021 [January 30th, 2021]
- Casual Friday: New Nez Perce County sheriff looks to mend fences - Lewiston Morning Tribune - January 30th, 2021 [January 30th, 2021]
- US Capitol surrounded by fence, troops as threats continue - NEWS10 ABC - January 30th, 2021 [January 30th, 2021]
- Take a pair, leave a pair: The Mitten Fence at Buffalos Peoples Park is helping keep the Queen City warm - WIVB.com - News 4 - January 30th, 2021 [January 30th, 2021]
- Contract approved to fence Oceanside railroad tracks - The San Diego Union-Tribune - January 30th, 2021 [January 30th, 2021]
- PHOTOS: New initiative helping Wyoming landowners fix fences to protect wildlife - Oil City News - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Fences and neighbors - The River Reporter - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Emma Thompson to Hurl You Over the Fence as Miss Trunchbull in Netflixs Musical Matilda - Vulture - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Mitten fence helping hundreds in Buffalo stay warm this winter - WKBW-TV - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- The perfect symbol of the Trump years - CNN - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Building a Fence: Washington and the Magnificent Seven - UW Dawg Pound - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Mining Weekly BHP puts up wind fence in WA - Creamer Media's Mining Weekly - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Woman dies after driving through fence onto I-15 in Beaver - KSL.com - January 15th, 2021 [January 15th, 2021]
- Maserati driver smashes through fences, tree and shed - KOIN.com - December 21st, 2020 [December 21st, 2020]
- The story behind the painted fences & sheds in one Lake Grove neighborhood - GreaterMoriches - December 21st, 2020 [December 21st, 2020]
- On the fence: Messages of hope on display in downtown Nashua - The Union Leader - December 21st, 2020 [December 21st, 2020]
- US wants India to get off the fence over China. But forgets Cuban crisis lesson - ThePrint - December 21st, 2020 [December 21st, 2020]
- Across the Fence: and Peace on Earth - The Suburban Times - December 21st, 2020 [December 21st, 2020]
- City fixes Cameron Heights fence after deaths of several deer and years of complaints - CBC.ca - December 21st, 2020 [December 21st, 2020]
- See Austin Condo Tower Construction Up Close With 'Beyond the Fence' Episode 2 - TOWERS Austin - December 21st, 2020 [December 21st, 2020]
- Vaccine hesitancy and COVID-19: How many will stay on the fence? - Windsor Star - December 21st, 2020 [December 21st, 2020]
- Israeli forces carry out a land incursion and threaten to remove Palestinian farmers' crops - occupied Palestinian territory - ReliefWeb - December 21st, 2020 [December 21st, 2020]
- Tributes paid to 'lovely' and 'kind' dad who died after his car crashed into a fence - Manchester Evening News - December 21st, 2020 [December 21st, 2020]
- Straddlin' the Fence: Why should I vote? - Idaho Press-Tribune - October 30th, 2020 [October 30th, 2020]
- Visalia orders church to remove Black Lives Matter signs from 'prayer fence,' citing ordinance - Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register - October 30th, 2020 [October 30th, 2020]
- Fence to be installed around monuments in A'ville - Sand Mountain Reporter - October 30th, 2020 [October 30th, 2020]
- Gov. Ron DeSantis swings for the fences with early voting message to Florida Republicans - Florida Politics - October 23rd, 2020 [October 23rd, 2020]