Apple Valley, CA Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

The Town of Apple Valley's fence guidance states that all fences must be constructed entirely on the owner's property, unless the adjoining neighbor provides written consent to build directly on the shared property line. A private boundary survey may be needed to confirm the property line before construction. The Town's Wall/Fence Height Permit process reinforces this by requiring an Owner's Authorization form signed by all adjacent property owners and the disclosure of height differentials from abutting property when a wall sits on a property line. Beyond Town rules, cost-sharing for boundary fences is governed by California Civil Code Section 841, the Good Neighbor Fence Law. Under that statute, adjoining landowners are presumed to share equally in the benefit and the reasonable costs of constructing, maintaining, or replacing a fence dividing their properties. A landowner who intends to incur those costs must give each affected adjoining owner 30 days' prior written notice describing the problem, the proposed work, the estimated cost, and the presumption of equal responsibility. That presumption can be rebutted in court if equal cost-sharing would be unjust given the relative benefit, property-value impact, or financial hardship. Apple Valley enforces zoning compliance and placement, while private cost and maintenance disputes are resolved under state law, not by the Town.