California Civil Code Section 841, the Good Neighbor Fence Act, controls shared boundary fences in Fontana. Adjoining neighbors share costs equally unless one party can show unequal benefit, and 30 days written notice is required before construction.
Under California Civil Code Section 841 (the Good Neighbor Fence Act), adjoining landowners share an equal responsibility for building and maintaining boundary fences that benefit both properties. A neighbor proposing new construction or replacement must give at least 30 days written notice describing the problem with the existing fence, the proposed replacement, estimated cost, and the proposed timeline. Cost sharing is presumed equal, but a neighbor can rebut that presumption with evidence of unequal benefit, existing condition, financial hardship, or size of the project. Spite fences erected solely to annoy a neighbor and over 10 feet in height are a private nuisance under Civil Code Section 841.4. Fontana Code Enforcement does not mediate civil fence disputes, which go to Small Claims Court or civil court. HOAs in Fontana master-planned communities often have their own architectural rules that layer on top of the state Good Neighbor Fence Act and may require specific materials, heights, or colors.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
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