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The Fence Between Neighbors

W. Va. Code § 19-17-5 and W. Va. Code § 19-17-7 — farm neighbors share the cost, and ten days to answer a written notice

Owners of adjoining land both used for farming, horticulture, grazing or livestock bear a just proportion of the cost of building, repairing and keeping up a partition fence between them.

  • W. Va. Code § 19-17-5
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Ten days to answer. A neighbor who wants to build or repair the fence may give written notice describing it and asking the other to do their share. The other answers in writing within ten days with any objections, or is liable for their share of the cost.

  • W. Va. Code § 19-17-7

Disputes over a partition fence have their own procedure in the article. A particular dispute is a question for a licensed West Virginia attorney.

  • W. Va. Code § 19-17-7
Sources for this section (2)
  1. W. Va. Code § 19-17-5 — Apportionment of construction and maintenance of partition fence
  2. W. Va. Code § 19-17-7 — Notice of intention to build or repair partition fence; answer

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed West Virginia attorney.

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