Northern Missouri
Fence law allocates boundary fences between rural neighbors
In a livestock-and-crop county, Missouri fence law decides who is responsible for a shared boundary fence, which can surprise people new to rural land.
In Missouri, a “boundary fence” is the fence between two neighbors’ land. State fence law decides who has to help build and keep it up. The rules can change from county to county. Most places use the general fence law. But a county can vote to use a different “local option” law instead. The two laws split the cost in different ways. This matters in a farming county like Sullivan, where many people raise cattle or grow crops. If you buy rural land, you may share a fence with a neighbor who runs cattle. Arguments over who builds and fixes the fence are common. So do not assume the fence is the neighbor’s job. Find out which law your county uses first. The University of Missouri Extension explains fence law in plain words, and the full rules are in Missouri’s state laws. Check with your local Extension office to be sure. Sorting this out early can save you money and trouble.
References
Where this fits: this note belongs to Sullivan County. See every local note for the county on its page.