Boundary fences in Santa Monica follow CA Civil Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) for shared cost. Spite fences over 10 ft are a private nuisance under CA Civil Code §841.4. Disputes are a civil matter between neighbors.
Under SMMC §9.21.050, height modifications for side or rear fences require adjacent parcel owner agreement, verified ownership, and a notarized letter of consent recorded with the LA County Recorder. For overhanging hedges, if any portion of a hedge (including roots) encroaches onto an adjoining parcel, the adjoining owner has the right to remove encroaching portions back to the property line after giving 30 days' notice and opportunity to cure, provided they act reasonably. The adjoining owner may file civil action to recover costs of removing encroaching hedge portions. Hazardous visual obstructions near driveways and intersections must be kept under 24 inches.
Disputes over non-compliant fences or encroaching hedges may be resolved through code enforcement action or civil litigation. The City may order modification of fences that create hazardous visual obstructions.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Santa Monica, CA
Backyard chickens are allowed in Santa Monica with restrictions. Roosters are prohibited in residential areas due to noise. Livestock keeping is restricted b...
Santa Monica, CA
Dogs must be on a leash in all public areas in Santa Monica. Off-leash dogs are only permitted in designated dog parks. The city enforces leash laws through ...
Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica does not impose breed-specific legislation. All dogs must be licensed per CA Food & Ag Code §30500+. Dangerous dog determinations are based on i...
Santa Monica, CA
Feeding wildlife in Santa Monica public parks and beaches is discouraged. The city's property maintenance code addresses nuisance conditions from wildlife at...
Santa Monica, CA
Portable fire pits on private property in Santa Monica must comply with South Coast AQMD regulations. Burns are prohibited on spare-the-air days. Beach fires...
Santa Monica, CA
Properties in fire hazard zones near Santa Monica must maintain defensible space per CA PRC §4291. Santa Monica itself is largely urban/coastal with limited ...
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