San Bernardino County, CA Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence Rules (2026)

San Bernardino County's Development Code (Chapter 83.06) regulates the physical characteristics of fences in the unincorporated area - height within setbacks (Table 83-6), how height is measured (Section 83.06.040), required masonry walls between certain zoning districts (Section 83.06.050), and prohibited materials (Section 83.06.070). It does not, however, decide who pays for a fence on a property line. That question is governed by California state law, which applies countywide. Under the Good Neighbor Fence Act of 2013 (Civil Code Section 841), adjoining landowners are presumed to share equally in the benefit of, and the reasonable costs of construction, maintenance, or necessary replacement of, a fence dividing their properties. A landowner who intends to incur such costs must give each affected adjoining owner 30 days' prior written notice describing the problem, the proposed work, the estimated cost, and how costs are to be shared. A neighbor can rebut the equal-share presumption with evidence (for example, that the fence is excessive or benefits only one party), and a court may then order a lesser share or no contribution. Boundary disputes and exact property-line location are civil matters; the County recommends confirming your line and any easements before building, and per Section 83.06.040 a fence on the line is measured from the lower of the two parcels' finished grades.