North Dakota Code § 47-26-01

Definition of legal fence
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
The following shall constitute a legal fence:
1. Any fence four and one -half feet [1.37 meters] high, in good repair, consisting of rails, 
timber, boards, stone walls, or any combination thereof.
2. All brooks, rivers, ponds, creeks, ditches, or hedges.
3. All things which, in the judgment of the fence viewers within whose jurisdiction the 
fence may be, are equivalent to the things specified in subsections 1 and 2.
4. Any fence upon which the interested parties may agree.
5. A barbed wire fence consisting of at least three barbed wires with at least number 
twelve and one-half gauge wire, the wire to be fastened firmly to posts which shall be 
not more than twenty feet [6.10 meters] or not more than forty feet [12.19 meters] and 
three stays apart. The top wire shall be not less than forty inches [101.6 centimeters] 
high, the bottom wire shall be not more than sixteen inches [40.64 centimeters] above 
the ground, and no two adjacent wires shall be separated by more than sixteen inches 
[40.64 centimeters].
6. A wire fence consisting of five smooth wires with posts not more than two rods [10.06 
meters] apart and with good stays not more than eight feet [2.44 meters] apart, the top 
wire being not less than forty -eight inches [121.92 centimeters] nor more than fifty -six 
inches [142.24 centimeters] and the bottom wire being not less than sixteen inches 
[40.64 centimeters] nor more than twenty inches [50.8 centimeters] above the ground.
7. An electrified fence consisting of:
a. One smooth wire located twenty-six inches to thirty-two inches [66.04 centimeters 
to 81.28 centimeters] above the ground and posts no more than one hundred feet 
[30.48 meters] apart;
b. Two smooth wires, with the top wire located at least twenty -six inches [66.04 
centimeters] above the ground, the bottom wire located eight inches to ten inches 
[20.32 centimeters to 25.40 centimeters] below the top wire, and posts no more 
than one hundred feet [30.48 meters] apart; or
c. Three smooth wires, with the top wire located at least twenty -six inches [66.04 
centimeters] above the ground, the middle and bottom wires located eight inches 
to twelve inches [20.32 centimeters to 30.48 centimeters] apart, and posts no 
more than seventy-five feet [22.86 meters] apart.

‹ Prev All North Dakota sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.