Northern Missouri
Fence law decides who maintains a boundary fence
In a livestock-and-crop county, Missouri's fence law allocates responsibility for boundary fences between neighbors, which surprises many new rural landowners.
Missouri has a “fence law.” This law decides who must build and fix a boundary fence. A boundary fence is the fence between your land and your neighbor’s land. The rules can change depending on which option your county uses. This matters in Schuyler County, where farm animals and crop fields meet along many property lines. If you are new to rural land, this may surprise you. You may have to share the cost and upkeep of a boundary fence with your neighbor. A sagging, run-down fence is a common cause of arguments out here. So do not assume the fence is only your neighbor’s job. Learn how Missouri fence law works here first. The University of Missouri Extension explains the difference between the general fence law and the local option in plain words. The full rules are in Missouri statute. Sort this out early, before any animals get loose. It saves a lot of trouble with the neighbors you will live beside for years.
References
Where this fits: this note belongs to Schuyler County. See every local note for the county on its page.