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

California Civil Code Section 841, commonly called the Good Neighbor Fence Law, provides the legal framework governing shared boundary fences throughout California, including Oxnard. The statute establishes a presumption of equal responsibility: each adjoining landowner is presumed to be equally responsible for the reasonable costs of building, maintaining, and replacing a fence that sits on or along the common boundary line. This presumption applies whether the fence benefits one property more than the other, or whether it was originally built by only one party, and it creates a legally enforceable right to seek contribution from an unwilling neighbor.

Before the initiating owner can recover costs from a neighbor, the law requires that a written notice be delivered at least 30 days before the work begins. The notice must be personally delivered or sent by first-class mail to the adjoining landowner and must include: a description of the condition of the existing fence or the reason a new fence is needed; a description of the proposed work including materials and specifications; the estimated total cost of the work; the proposed cost-sharing arrangement (typically 50/50 but the notice may propose another split); and the proposed start date and timeline. If the neighbor does not respond or disputes the proposed arrangement, the initiating owner may proceed and later pursue cost recovery through small claims court (for amounts up to $12,500) or through superior court for larger claims. The neighbor's failure to respond after proper notice does not excuse them from the obligation to pay their share.

The equal-responsibility rule is a presumption that either party may rebut. A neighbor may argue that sharing costs would impose undue financial hardship or that the fence primarily serves the interests of the initiating party rather than both equally. Courts evaluate these arguments on a case-by-case basis. In addition to cost-sharing, Oxnard's local fence ordinance applies to any fence built along a boundary line: height limits and material restrictions under Sections 16-308 through 16-310 govern what may actually be constructed, regardless of any private agreement between neighbors. California Civil Code Section 841.4 separately prohibits spite fences — structures built solely or primarily to annoy an adjoining neighbor — and allows courts to issue injunctions ordering removal and awarding damages.