San Bernardino County, CA Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- County role
- Sets height, materials, placement (Ch. 83.06) - not cost-sharing
- Cost-sharing law
- CA Civil Code Section 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act of 2013)
- Default cost split
- Equal shares presumed for boundary fences
- Notice required
- 30 days' prior written notice to adjoining owner
- Height on shared line
- Measured from lowest contiguous parcel's grade (83.06.040)
- Disputes
- Private civil matter; presumption is rebuttable
Summary
The San Bernardino County Development Code sets fence height, materials, and placement, but does not allocate the cost of a shared boundary fence between neighbors. Cost-sharing for division fences is governed by California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code Section 841), which presumes adjoining owners share construction and maintenance costs equally after 30 days' written notice.
841. (a) Adjoining landowners shall share equally in the responsibility for maintaining the boundaries and monuments between them. (b) (1) Adjoining landowners are presumed to share an equal benefit from any fence dividing their properties and, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties in a written agreement, shall be presumed to be equally responsible for the reasonable costs of construction, maintenance, or necessary replacement of the fence. (2) Where a landowner intends to incur costs for a fence described in paragraph (1), the landowner shall give 30 days' prior written notice to each affected adjoining landowner.
Full Breakdown
070). It does not, however, decide who pays for a fence on a property line. That question is governed by California state law, which applies countywide. Under the Good Neighbor Fence Act of 2013 (Civil Code Section 841), adjoining landowners are presumed to share equally in the benefit of, and the reasonable costs of construction, maintenance, or necessary replacement of, a fence dividing their properties. A landowner who intends to incur such costs must give each affected adjoining owner 30 days' prior written notice describing the problem, the proposed work, the estimated cost, and how costs are to be shared.
A neighbor can rebut the equal-share presumption with evidence (for example, that the fence is excessive or benefits only one party), and a court may then order a lesser share or no contribution. 040 a fence on the line is measured from the lower of the two parcels' finished grades.
Violations & Fines
There is no County penalty for cost disputes between neighbors - these are private civil matters resolved under Civil Code Section 841 (often in small claims court). However, the County can still cite a boundary fence that violates Chapter 83.06 height, material, or wall requirements, or that encroaches a sight-distance area or easement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my neighbor have to pay half the cost of a shared fence?
How is the height of a fence on the property line measured if our yards are at different levels?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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