Chico defers to California Civil Code §841, the Good Neighbor Fence Act. Adjoining owners are presumed to share equally in the cost of a boundary fence's construction, maintenance, and replacement. A landowner planning fence work must give 30 days' written notice to neighbors.
Chico's Municipal Code does not establish a separate shared-fence cost rule, so state law controls. California Civil Code §841 presumes that adjoining landowners share equally in the reasonable costs of constructing, maintaining, or replacing a boundary fence that benefits both. Before incurring costs, a landowner must give 30 days' prior written notice to each affected adjoining landowner, including a description of the problem, proposed solution, estimated cost, and notice of the equal-responsibility presumption. The presumption may be rebutted by a preponderance of evidence showing equal cost-sharing would be unjust (e.g., disproportionate benefit, financial hardship, or the fence exceeds what's reasonably necessary). Local zoning rules (CMC §19.60.060) still govern height and material; private cost disputes proceed in small claims or civil court.
There is no Chico Code Enforcement action for cost-share disputes — these are civil matters under Civ. Code §841. Failure to provide the 30-day notice can be used by the neighbor as a defense against contribution claims.
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