The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-11-23
THE IOWA FENCE LAWS.
Defining . Legal Fence and the
Duties of Parties in Building
Line Fences.

The Reporter has been requested
to publish the state laws as to fenc-
ing for the benefit of the farming
community, as there are always
many Of these fences to be built and
a good deal of misunderstanding as
to what constitutes legal fence and
the duties OF both parties in building
line fences.
The old fence laws we're repealed
by the Thirty-third General Assem-
bly, and a new law substituted which
is considered very fair and good
law, as follows:
SEC. 2367.-LAWFUL FENCE
|'DEFINED. A lawful fence shall
consist of three rails Of good sub
stantial material, or three boards,
not less than six inches wide and
three quarters of an inch thick, such
rails or boards to be fastened in or
to good substantial posts, not more
than ten feet apart, where boards
are used or wire either wholly or in
part, substantially built and kept in
good repair, or any other kind of
fence, which in the opinion of the
fence viewers, shall be equivalent
thereto, the lowest or bottom rail,
wire or board not more than twenty
or less than sixten inches from the
ground, the top rail, wire or board
to be between forty-eight and fifty
four inches in height, and the CEN
trail rail, wire or board not less than
twelve inches nor more than eight
cen inches above the bottom rail,
wire or board; or it shall consist of
ho
than thirty-six iron barbs Of two
points each, or twenty-six iron barbs
of four points each, on each rod of
wire, or of four wires, two thus
barbed and two smooth, the wires to
be firmly fastened to posts not more
than two rods apart, with not less
than two stays between posts, or with
posts not more than one rod apart,
without such stays, the top wire to
be not more than fifty-four nor less
than forty-eight inches in height.
Provided, however, that all partition
fences may be made tight by the
party desiring it, and when his por-
ton is so completed, and securely
fastened to good substantial posts,
set firmly in the ground, not more
than twenty (20) feet apart, the ad-
joining property owner shall con-
struct his portion of the adjoining
fence in like tight manner, same
to be securely fastened to good sub
stantial posts, set firmly in the
ground not more than twenty (2O)
feet apart. All tight partition fences
shall consist of not less than twenty
four (24) inches of substantial
three 90 strands of barbed wire
with not less than thirty-six (36)
barbs of two points to the rod on top,
the top wire to be not less than
forty-eight (48) inches nor more
than fifty-four (54) inches high; or
not less than eighteen (18) inches
substantial woven wire on the bot
tom with four ca strands of barb
wire of not less than thirty-six (36)
barbs of two CD points to the rod,
the top wire to be not less than forty
eight (48) inches nor more than
fifty-four (54) inches high, or good
substantial woven wire not less than
forty-eight (48) inches nor more
than fifty-four $50 inches high. In
case adjoining owners or occupants
of land shall use the same for pas
turing sheep or swine, each shall
keep his share of the partition fence
in such condition as shall restrain
such sheep or swine. Upon applica-
ton of either owner, after notice
given as prescribed in this chapter,
the fence viewers shall determine all
controversies arising under this Sec
toin, including the use of partition
fences made hog and sheep tight.
CAS- amended by the 33rd General
Assembly,.