An enclosure is any natural or artificial boundary limiting access around a piece of land. For example, a fence, wall, hedge, ditch, or other physical barrier can be considered an enclosure. Proof of an enclosure is significant in a claim of adverse possession. The adverse possessor must show that his or her enclosure marks the boundaries of their adverse occupancy. In this regard, there must be some marker, artificial or natural, showing the adverse possessor’s intention to claim the certain area of land. Enclosures are not limited to walls and fences as long as such marks are visible and sufficiently denote the location, area, and extent of the land being adversely claimed.Â
[Last updated in July of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]