West Virginia Land Fence Laws
West Virginia fencing requirements state that most fences should be at least four feet high for both property boundaries and those along public right of ways. Worm rail fences must be 4 1/2 feet tall, while stone fences need only be 3 1/2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. A hedge fence may be no taller than 4 feet, and the owner must keep any side on public lands trimmed. Wire fences must be 4 feet tall and have six strands of wire. The lowest wire should be 5 inches above the ground, the succeeding wires at 10 inches, 17 inches, 25 inches, 36 inches and 48 inches, respectively. Posts must be no farther apart than 16 feet. High-tensile galvanized wire fences must have eight strands and be at least 46 inches tall. They must be able to bear 200 lbs. of tension.
Electrified fences must be 38 inches tall and have five strands of high-tensile galvanized wire. Regardless of the type of fence, West Virginia fencing laws require the fence materials to be sturdy enough to corral horses, cattle, swine, goats and mules.
