How To Be Appointed To The Office Of 'Fence Viewer'

When property owners have a dispute regarding a common fence on a property line, Oklahoma law provides for the creation of a tribunal of 3 'Fence Viewers'.  This office has official powers and state sanctioning.

  Here is the statutory code regarding the authority and make up of the Fence Viewers.

§4-139.  Controversy over partition fence - Application to fence viewers - Notice - Authority of viewers.

When a controversy arises between the respective owners about the obligation to erect or maintain a partition fence, either party may apply to the fence viewers, who, after due notice to each party, may inquire into the matter and assign to each his share thereof, and direct the time in which each shall erect or repair his share in the manner provided above.

R.L. 1910, § 157.

§4-139.  Controversy over partition fence - Application to fence viewers - Notice - Authority of viewers.

When a controversy arises between the respective owners about the obligation to erect or maintain a partition fence, either party may apply to the fence viewers, who, after due notice to each party, may inquire into the matter and assign to each his share thereof, and direct the time in which each shall erect or repair his share in the manner provided above.

R.L. 1910, § 157.

§4-151.  Additional powers of fence viewers.

When any question arises between parties other than those stated, concerning their rights in fences or their duties in relation to building or maintaining or removing them, such question may be determined by the fence viewers.
R.L. 1910, § 169.