Modoc County, CA Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

Modoc County's Title 18 zoning ordinance does not address private boundary-fence cost-sharing or disputes between neighbors, so the controlling rule is California Civil Code §841, the 'Good Neighbor Fence Act.' Under §841(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.' Section 841(b)(2) requires that a landowner who intends to incur such costs 'give 30 days' prior written notice to each affected adjoining landowner,' including notice of the equal-responsibility presumption. That presumption can be overcome by evidence that equal cost-sharing would be unjust (for example, a financial burden substantially disproportionate to the benefit). The county code's only fence-related neighbor provisions are nuisance-type: §18.30.070 requires screening of junk vehicles and outdoor storage to protect neighboring property values. Owners should also respect the zone's yard setbacks when placing a boundary fence and, on corner lots, sight-distance requirements. Civil fence-line and cost disputes are resolved between the parties (small claims or civil court), not by the county.