How Do I Know Where My Property Line Is in Edwardsville, KS?

Installing a new fence is one of the best ways to improve your home’s privacy, security, and curb appeal. Before the first post hole is dug, however, there’s one very important question every homeowner should answer:

“How do I know where my property line is?”

Knowing your exact property boundaries is one of the most important steps before installing a fence. Building in the wrong location can result in costly repairs, neighbor disputes, permit issues, and even legal action.

If you own a home in Edwardsville, Kansas, there are several reliable ways to determine your property lines before construction begins.

At Slagle Fence, we encourage every homeowner to verify their property boundaries before installing a fence. Taking a little extra time now can save significant time and money later.

Why Property Lines Matter

Your fence should generally be installed on your own property—not your neighbor’s.

Installing a fence over a property line can lead to:

• Boundary disputes
• Expensive fence relocation
• Delays when selling your home
• Encroachment issues
• Easement conflicts
• Problems obtaining permits

Knowing exactly where your property begins and ends protects both you and your investment.

1. Review Your Property Survey

The most accurate way to identify your property line is by reviewing your property survey.

A survey prepared by a licensed Kansas land surveyor typically identifies:

• Property boundaries
• Lot dimensions
• Corner monuments
• Easements
• Existing structures
• Utility easements
• Building setback lines

Many homeowners receive a survey during the home-buying process. Check your closing documents or contact your title company if you can’t locate it.

2. Check Your Plat Map

If your home is located in a subdivision, a recorded plat map can provide useful information about:

• Lot layout
• Property dimensions
• Streets
• Utility easements
• Adjacent lots

Plat maps are excellent planning tools but should not replace a professional survey when determining the exact location of your fence.

3. Use Wyandotte County GIS Maps

Edwardsville is located in Wyandotte County, which offers online GIS mapping tools that allow homeowners to view:

• Parcel boundaries
• Property dimensions
• Aerial imagery
• Parcel identification numbers
• Tax information

These maps are useful for general planning but are not legal surveys. The parcel lines shown are approximate and should not be used as the sole basis for fence placement.

4. Locate Property Pins

Many residential lots have survey monuments, often called property pins, marking each corner.

These markers may be:

• Steel rebar
• Iron rods
• Metal pipes
• Survey caps

Property pins are often buried just below the soil and may be hidden by grass, mulch, or landscaping.

If you locate them, avoid disturbing or moving them—they are legal boundary markers.

5. Hire a Licensed Land Surveyor

If you’re unsure where your property line is, hiring a licensed Kansas land surveyor is the best way to avoid mistakes.

A surveyor can:

• Locate property corners
• Mark boundary lines
• Identify easements
• Resolve conflicting measurements
• Prepare an updated survey if needed

A professional survey is especially recommended if:

• You’re replacing an older fence.
• Existing fences appear misaligned.
• You have an irregular lot.
• A neighbor disagrees about the boundary.
• Property pins cannot be located.

The cost of a survey is often much less than relocating an improperly installed fence.

Don’t Assume the Existing Fence Is Correct

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is assuming an existing fence sits exactly on the property line.

Older fences may have been installed:

• Several feet inside the property line
• Around landscaping
• Before a subdivision was fully developed
• To avoid easements

Always verify the legal boundary before replacing an existing fence.

Watch for Utility Easements

Even if you know your property line, you should also identify any utility easements on your property.

Utility easements may provide access to:

• Water lines
• Sewer lines
• Electric service
• Gas lines
• Fiber optic cables

Installing a fence within an easement may limit access or require sections of the fence to be removed if utility work is needed in the future.

Call Kansas 811 Before Digging

Before installing any fence, contact Kansas 811 to have underground utilities marked.

Utility locators will identify:

• Natural gas lines
• Electric service
• Water lines
• Communications cables
• Fiber optics

This free service helps prevent damage and improves safety during installation.

Talk With Your Neighbor

Even after confirming your property line, it’s a good idea to discuss your plans with your neighbor.

A friendly conversation can help:

• Prevent misunderstandings
• Clarify fence placement
• Discuss shared fence opportunities
• Coordinate gate locations
• Maintain positive neighbor relationships

Good communication often prevents future disputes.

How Slagle Fence Helps

While homeowners are responsible for knowing their property boundaries, Slagle Fence works with customers throughout Edwardsville to help ensure every project starts on the right foot.

We can assist by:

• Reviewing surveys and site plans
• Discussing fence placement options
• Identifying potential challenges
• Coordinating with property surveys
• Designing fences that comply with local regulations

Our goal is to make your fence installation smooth, accurate, and worry-free.

Common Property Line Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

• Guessing where the property line is
• Assuming an old fence marks the boundary
• Relying only on online GIS maps
• Ignoring utility easements
• Skipping a survey when boundaries are unclear
• Forgetting to contact Kansas 811 before digging

Taking a few extra steps before construction can prevent expensive mistakes later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the county GIS map to locate my fence?

GIS maps are useful for planning, but they are not legal surveys and should not be used for precise fence placement.

What if I can’t find my property pins?

A licensed land surveyor can locate existing monuments or establish new markers if necessary.

Will my fence contractor determine my property line?

Fence contractors can build according to an existing survey, but they generally do not establish legal property boundaries.

Should I talk with my neighbor before building?

Yes. Open communication helps avoid misunderstandings and can make the installation process much smoother.

Final Thoughts

If you’re asking, “How do I know where my property line is in Edwardsville, KS?”, the best place to start is with your property survey. Reviewing your survey, checking subdivision plats, using Wyandotte County GIS maps for reference, locating property pins, and hiring a licensed surveyor when necessary can help ensure your fence is installed in the correct location.

Verifying your property lines before construction protects your investment, helps avoid disputes, and allows your fencing project to move forward with confidence.

At Slagle Fence, we’re committed to helping Edwardsville homeowners install beautiful, long-lasting fences while making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.