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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Pizza driver in Ashland robbery says she was shocked with stun gun ... Wolf delisting bill heads to Oregon Senate for final vote ... Man faces sex trafficking, promoting prostitution charges ... Pizza driver in Ashland robbery says she was shocked with stun gun ... Wolf delisting bill heads to Oregon Senate for final vote ... Man faces sex trafficking, promoting prostitution charges ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Keep things neighborly over your fences Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Feb. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Who is responsible for maintaining (privacy) fences between residential lots? I think most owners want to take care of painting the side that faces their own property, but what about more expensive repairs? May an owner alter (e.g. change the height or style or even remove) a fence without the consent of the adjoining neighbor? Does anything prohibit removal of an existing fence? How do we figure out whose property the fence is on? I suspect the owner is responsible and the owner can make changes, but it is always best to talk to the neighbors and possibly to the planning department. Now just to figure out who the owner is! — T.P., via email There’s truth in the saying, “Good fences make good neighbors.” T.P., you’re correct in assuming that maintaining a fence is the responsibility of the owner. However, it never hurts to talk with your neighbor before you start tearing down or painting your fence. That’s not code. It’s just good fencing etiquette. If you’re not sure who built the fence or whose property the fence is on, you can call your city's planning department to see if there is a fence permit on file. But if there’s not, you’ll need to hire a surveyor. “You should try to work together, and if you can’t, then one of you can put up a new fence and take on the responsibility of maintaining it,” said Praline McCormack, a Medford city planner. Fences can go on property lines, unless your lot is a corner lot, in which case there must be a setback in order to maintain the sight lines at the intersecting streets. In the front yard, fences in the first 20 feet of the property can’t exceed 3 feet to “maintain a pedestrian-friendly environment,” explained McCormack. Fences cannot exceed 8 feet, and permits are required if you’re building a wood fence over 7 feet or a fence around a pool or other body of water, she said. And T.P., not that you’re considering it, but barbed wire and electric fencing is prohibited around residential properties. (Note, there are additional fencing rules if your property is in the historic district or certain neotraditional neighborhoods in southeast Medford.) Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected] . To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501