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

California Civil Code Section 841 — the Good Neighbor Fence Law — governs shared boundary fences throughout California, including all properties within the City of Pomona. The statute creates a presumption that adjoining landowners share equal benefit from a fence on or along their common property line and are therefore equally responsible for the reasonable costs of construction, maintenance, and replacement. This presumption applies to a fence sitting on or immediately adjacent to the property boundary, not to a fence that one owner builds entirely within their own property set back from the line.

Before a landowner may incur shared costs for a boundary fence, they must provide each affected adjoining owner with at least 30 days' prior written notice. The notice must contain: notification of the statutory presumption of equal responsibility under Civil Code Section 841; a description of the specific problem with the existing fence (deterioration, damage, or absence); the proposed solution; an estimate of the total cost; the proposed cost-sharing arrangement; and the proposed timeline for completion. This notice period gives the neighbor an opportunity to discuss alternatives, obtain competing bids, or formally dispute their share of the obligation. The presumption of equal responsibility may be rebutted if one party demonstrates that equal cost-sharing would be unjust — for example, if the proposed fence is a luxury upgrade far exceeding what is necessary, or if one property derives little or no benefit from the fence.

In Pomona, all boundary fences must still comply with the city's zoning ordinance regardless of any private neighbor agreement. The 3.5-foot maximum height in front yards and the 6-foot maximum in side and rear yards apply to shared boundary fences just as they do to any other fence. Barbed wire, razor wire, and sharp-pointed fence toppings are prohibited in residential zones. California Civil Code Section 841.4 also prohibits any fence erected maliciously to annoy an adjoining landowner — commonly referred to as a spite fence — and affected neighbors may seek civil injunction and damages.

Neighbors who cannot reach agreement on cost-sharing may pursue the matter through small claims court for amounts under $12,500 or in superior court for larger claims. Documentation of the written notice, any responses, and the condition of the existing fence is critical for a successful claim.