Neighbor Fence Rules: Martinez vs Pittsburg
How do neighbor fence rules rules compare between Martinez, CA and Pittsburg, CA?
Martinez and Pittsburg have similar restriction levels.
Martinez, CA
Contra Costa County
Martinez follows California Civil Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act), which presumes boundary fence costs are shared equally between adjacent property owners. Thirty days written notice to the neighbor is required before construction or replacement. Disputes not resolved through negotiation may be pursued in Contra Costa County Small Claims Court for amounts up to $10,000.
View full Martinez rules →Pittsburg, CA
Contra Costa County
Hedges acting as boundary barriers in Pittsburg are subject to the same height limits as fences: 6 feet in side/rear yards and 3.5 feet in front yards. Hedges in the sight-distance triangle at driveways and corners must be kept low for traffic visibility.
View full Pittsburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Martinez | Pittsburg |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Front yard hedge max | - | 3.5 ft (as barrier) |
| Side/rear hedge | - | 6 ft (often higher tolerated) |
| Sight triangle | - | 30-36 in max vegetation |
| Sidewalk clearance | - | 7 ft overhead |
| Spite hedge law | - | CA Civil Code §841.4 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Martinez FAQ
Pittsburg FAQ
Can I trim my neighbor's hedge overhanging my yard?
Yes, up to the property line, under California common law. You cannot damage the health of the plant or enter your neighbor's property without permission to do the trimming.
My neighbor's hedge is over 10 feet and blocking my view. What can I do?
If maintained maliciously to annoy you, Civil Code §841.4 treats it as a spite fence and you can seek an injunction. Otherwise, view is generally not protected unless specific view covenants apply.
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