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

Lassen County does not have a county-specific fence cost-sharing ordinance; shared boundary fences between neighbors are governed by California Civil Code Section 841, the Good Neighbor Fence Act of 2013. Under that law, adjoining landowners are presumed to share an equal benefit from a fence dividing their properties and, unless they agree otherwise in writing, are presumed equally responsible for the reasonable costs of construction, maintenance, or necessary replacement. A landowner planning to incur such costs must give each affected neighbor 30 days' prior written notice describing the problem, the proposed solution, the estimated cost, the cost-sharing approach, and the timeline. The equal-responsibility presumption can be rebutted by a preponderance of evidence showing it would be unjust — for example, where the cost is substantially disproportionate to the benefit or imposes undue financial hardship. Separately, Lassen County's own Title 18 zoning rules affect neighbors at corners: on corner lots, fences, shrubs, hedges, and other obstructions cannot exceed three feet within the sight distance area, and trees there must be trimmed clear of branches to at least eight feet above the adjacent sidewalk to preserve visibility at intersections and driveways. For disputes, the county handles only the zoning aspects; cost-sharing is a private civil matter under Civil Code 841. These notes cover unincorporated areas, not the City of Susanville.