Sonora Neighbor Fence Rules Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

California Civil Code Section 841 (the Good Neighbor Fence Act of 2013) is the primary legal framework governing shared boundary fences in Sonora and throughout California. The law establishes a presumption that adjoining landowners have equal benefit from a boundary fence and therefore share equal responsibility for its reasonable costs of construction, maintenance, and repair. Either neighbor may initiate a fence project along the boundary, but must provide the other party with at least 30 days' written notice before beginning work. The notice must describe the nature of the fence, the proposed cost, the reason for the cost allocation, and the proposed timeline.

A neighbor who receives such notice and disagrees with the cost allocation has the right to respond and negotiate before construction begins. If agreement cannot be reached, either party may seek resolution in small claims court (for disputes under $12,500) or Tuolumne County Superior Court. California law also recognizes the "spite fence" doctrine: a fence erected primarily to annoy or harass a neighbor, particularly one over 10 feet tall with no useful purpose, may be declared a private nuisance under Civil Code §841.4 and ordered removed.

The City of Sonora does not act as a mediator in private boundary fence disputes. City code enforcement focuses on zoning compliance (height limits, setbacks, materials) rather than neighbor-to-neighbor cost disputes. Residents with fence disputes are encouraged to communicate directly or consult a mediator through the Tuolumne County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service.