Laws and regulations involving stone walls are a patchwork. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut have all revised their laws regarding stone walls. If you (the reader) know of other state laws, or have an update, please contact the SWI.
STATE BY STATE
Connecticut:
This is an old review from May 8, 2009 by Legislative Fellow Jillian L. Redding: Stone Wall Preservation Laws.
This is a recent law from January 2023; AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRESERVATION OF STONE WALLS IN THE STATE.
It includes:
- co-ownership on share boundaries
- definition of a stonewall
- Restitution for damage
- No stealing of any stones
Rhode Island: Link to Title 45 and Title 11 , and Tax Exemption. (Courtesy of Judy Lewis, Policy Assistant, Audubon Society of Rhode Island).
New Hampshire: Link here for an article on legislation signed into law in August, 2009.
TOWNS
- Towns are making ordinances as well. Consult the historical commission or historical society for the town in question.
- For an example from Goshen, Connecticut, link to Regulating Roadside Walls in Goshen, CT
- For an example from Smithfield Rhode Island, link to stone wall ordinance.
