California Civil Code Sections 841–841.4 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) govern shared boundary fences statewide, including unincorporated San Diego County. Adjoining landowners share equally in the cost of maintaining or replacing a boundary fence that benefits both properties.
Under California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code §841), adjoining landowners are presumed to share equally in the responsibility for maintaining a common boundary fence. Before modifying or replacing a shared fence, a property owner must provide 30 days' written notice to the neighbor including a description of the problem, proposed solution, estimated cost, and proposed cost sharing. If neighbors cannot agree, mediation or small claims court may be used. The county zoning ordinance sets height, material, and setback requirements for all fences. Fences must be built entirely on the owner's property unless both neighbors agree to a boundary line fence.
Disputes over shared fences are civil matters handled through mediation or small claims court. County code violations for non-compliant fences are handled by Code Compliance.
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See how San Diego County's neighbor fence rules rules stack up against other locations.
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