{"id":371890,"date":"2017-11-01T17:35:40","date_gmt":"2017-11-01T22:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-california.html"},"modified":"2025-06-25T15:37:22","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T20:37:22","slug":"property-line-and-fence-laws-in-california","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/property-line-and-fence-laws-in-california.html","title":{"rendered":"Property Line and Fence Laws in California"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Property Line and Fence Laws in California<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Property line and fence laws in California serve to resolve disputes and define responsibilities among neighbors, such as the California Good Neighbor Fence Law.<\/b><\/blockquote>\r\n

Many property disputes and legal actions start where property boundaries end. Just because neighbors build fences doesn\u2019t mean they agree about what the fence should look like or who should pay for it. Some of the worst disputes arise over where exactly the fence belongs.<\/p>\r\n

The California Good Neighbor Fence Law<\/a> provides extensive legal guidance for neighbors when they survey and build a new fence. The laws cover height, design, and tree trimming along with fence laws. State laws can intersect with county and city ordinances and even HOA rules. Property owners should review the state laws before building any fencing on their property line.<\/p>\r\n

California Property Line and Fence Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

When homeowners buy a new house, the deed contains a property description<\/a> that includes the exact boundaries of the property. The property line is set according to surveyor\u2019s marks known as metes and bounds, fixed landmarks and compass points that detail the size and shape of the property.<\/p>\r\n

A shared fence is one that sits directly on the property line between adjoining properties. California law presumes that both parties benefit equally from the shared fence, and therefore both owners are responsible for the costs of maintenance and upkeep. The law also presumes that if the fence needs replacing, both owners should contribute equally to the cost of replacement.<\/p>\r\n

Not all good fences make good neighbors. Fence disputes arise over the placement, material, and cost of a new fence. The Good Neighbor Fence Act attempts to create a framework for avoiding legal issues before they come up. The fence law presumes that neighbors will build fences on the boundary line between their properties, and that both sides will benefit from the construction.<\/p>\r\n

If one property owner decides they need a new fence, the first step is providing written notice to the neighbor outlining the details. If the fence sits on the shared property line, both parties must agree on the details. The written notice must contain:<\/p>\r\n