What is the law and/or etiquette for how close a fence can be to a neighbors backyard property line in NJ?

Answer 1

I would contact your local Zoning administrator or you can talk to whomever keeps the plat maps of your county (this could be the county Auditors office).

Answer 2

It is generally considered a good idea to talk to the neighbor.

You should say "Hey, I'm planning to put in a fence, or wall, or something between our property, wanna get in on this and split the cost?"

Always make it sound like you haven't decided what sort of barrier to install. It's a psychological thing. If they think they can get their choice, they'll be more likely to split the cost.

Believe me, in most any case, splitting the cost is especially desirable for several reasons. For one, it allows you to get a more expensive fence, or pay less. For another, it allows you to put the fence RIGHT ON the property line. Both of these benefits generally make it well worth the price of maybe not getting your first choice of a barrier.

Where is the property line? Well, walk out to your curb, and you will find a little metal washer looking thing nailed INTO the cement. This is the property line. In some areas, especially on larger lots, it may not be specifically marked. For that, and for determining the back boundary, you may need to examine the Deed. these generally break down territory according to the US geological survey, or a map based on the Geological survey.


If your neighbor does not want to put in cash on the fence, you can put the new fence as close to your side of the property line as you want, whether or not they want a fence.

With their permission, even if you're footing the whole bill, you could put the new fence so it is centered on the property line, but if your neighbors are jerks like that, you might not want to put any part of the fence on their side, becaue in theory, they could rip out the part on their side.

This is the general way of things. Local laws may vary a bit, but your property is your property, and a common boundary is a common boundary, so I would not expect much difference.

Answer 3

In NJ the "nice" side has to face the neighbors yard and the frame side faces your own yard. Same in most states.