Fresno, CA Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

California Civil Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act of 2013) establishes a rebuttable presumption that a boundary fence provides equal benefit to both adjoining owners, making each responsible for half the reasonable cost of construction, maintenance, and replacement. Before starting work that will impose cost on a neighbor, the initiating owner must give 30 days written notice describing: the problem with the existing fence, the proposed solution, the estimated cost, the proposed cost allocation, and the timeline. A neighbor can rebut the presumption with evidence the cost is unreasonable, equal sharing would be unjust, or the fence is more than needed. Disputes are resolved in small claims court up to $12,500. Fresno does not have a separate municipal code section on neighbor fences. Boundary surveys are advisable for any new fence to avoid encroachment claims; CA Code of Civil Procedure §322 allows adverse possession in 5 years only with tax payment, so encroaching fences rarely ripen into adverse title.