neighbors and fences

[Hetmann]

My next door neighbor wants to erect an 8 foot fence all around his back yard. The standard in our area is 6 foot privacy fences. He says that he's afraid people can 'see' into his yard from the alley. We live in a quiet urban area with relatively little traffic.

He's thinking of applying for a variance with the city. His immediate neighbors (i. e. me and one other couple) would be the only ones who could complain. I like the guy ok and all, but I don't really want an 8 foot fence running along one side of my property. The implication is of course that since we are friends I won't stop him.

Arggh! What shoul I do?

[TGTIW]

Let him build the fence and then paint your side of it baby-poo brown.

[s_morrison57]

If the city allows it don't they have to ask the other people that the fence would affect? Are you the one who keeps looking into his back yard? Don't agree to it if your not comfortable with it, I know I wouldn't want an 8' fence on one side of my property.

[mattdavis11]

I wouldn't have a problem if he gives me the good side (no 1 3/4 x 3 3/4qtrs, posts, etc..). Then all that has to be done is match the rest of the fence line while splitting the bill with the other neighbors to get you to 8ft all around, keeping the good side.

[stomachmonkey]

Just tell him you don't want an 8 ft fence. Seems if the alley us an issue for him suggest he does the back section only or plant some hedges.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Just tell him you don't want an 8 ft fence. Seems if the alley us an issue for him suggest he does the back section only or plant some hedges.

This

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Just tell him you don't want an 8 ft fence. Seems if the alley us an issue for him suggest he does the back section only or plant some hedges.

+1 or is that +2 now?

[ODDJOB UNO]

Originally Posted by TGTIW

Let him build the fence and then paint your side of it baby-poo brown.

BABY POO YELLOW!



actually it is a BIG DEAL to stop someone doing an 8ft wall as long as neighbor complies with all city state county zoning laws, all federal guidelines(army corp of eng) flood plain adhered to.


privacy is privacy. i have some low spots on my walls due to elevation grade differences. i can and will in the future place another course of 8x8x16's to preserve my right to privacy. and theirs not a damn thang clown non attorney can do.


now if ya piss yer neighbor off and he has 1/2 a brain like meeself, and he builds that wall a foot in on his property he can paint it TITTY PINK if he wants, climb over 24/7/365 and maintain HIS WALL! and theres not a damn thing you can do.


let him build the wall. its his bucks his privacy his PITA and you GAIN PRIVACY!


ask me how i know.


now one thang i would demand over a beer since ya still get along with him, have him SURVEY the property that way no corners are cut and ask him to do permits. if he doesnt pull permits hes an azzhole and just call zoning and nail him btwn the eyes. after of course he has completed 99% of the wall. hahahahahaha

[dipso]

I would love an 8' fence compared to the 6'. I put 2' lattice on top of my stuccoed block then just grew bougainvillea on it.
Is he expecting you to pay 1/2?
Is it block or wood?
If it's block and he is going to pay for all tell him go ahead then you can always have your side stuccoed and painted to match your house, assuming you have a stucco house.
I think that looks nice.

If it is wood tell him you will only agree if it is a 'good neighbor' fence. A 'good neighbor' fence is where every other good side faces in either one neighbors yard or the other. That way nobody gets all posts and 2"x4"s .

If your expected to pay it has to be 'good neighbor' if your not expected to pay tell him that is the condition. If you guys are friends he will understand.
I don't think he would want all posts and 2"x4"s on his side only.
Maybe he'll pay to have both sides finished. No 'good neighbor'.
Or if he is paying for the fence but doesn't want 'good neighbor' you could always pay for your side to be finished.
Then the posts and 2"x4"s are sandwiched in the middle.

[Gogar]

If he follows the rules there's really nothing you can do.

All you can do is talk to him about it over a beer or something and express your feelings.

1. What is someone from the alley going go "SEE", exactly?

2. With an 8-foot fence, he won't be able to see anyone in the alley "messing around', either.


I live in a neighborhood similar to yours, I think, and had a 4-foot chain-link fence to the neighbors for years; used to talk to them 'over the fence' all the time.

New neighbors, new ENORMO-FENCE. They're nice people, I've heard.

[Oh Haha]

I want a moat but noooooooooo, I can't install one because of an ordinance. pffft



Seriously, I would discuss it with him over a beverage and see how it goes. You may even disuade him from the idea.

[speeder]

I fking hate 8 ft. walls or fences. They make me feel like I'm in some minimum security loony farm or something. I actually hate walls and fences in general unless they are really nice and that's expensive. They're only OK if they blend naturally with surroundings, like this, (on only one side of parent's back yard in Minneapolis):

[speeder]

Originally Posted by ODDJOB UNO

now if ya piss yer neighbor off and he has 1/2 a brain like meeself, and he builds that wall a foot in on his property he can paint it TITTY PINK if he wants, climb over 24/7/365 and maintain HIS WALL! and theres not a damn thing you can do.

I dunno...if you did this to me, I'd set you on fire.

[lane912]

Originally Posted by speeder

I dunno...if you did this to me, I'd set you on fire.

you would be late to that party, his neighbor beat you to it-

[dad911]

Check your local zoning/building laws.

Around here, the good side has to be facing out if it is a property line fence, and there are height restrictions for fencing, although he may be able to get around the height restriction by building the fence on a berm.

If you don't want an 8' fence, and it requires zoning/local approvals, the sooner you tell him the better.

[Racerbvd]

Good fences make good neighbors..

My back yard is my sanctuary, I don't want people seeing or knowing what I have back there or what I'm going in my yard, as my hobbies include very expensive toys..

[yetibone]

I'd move. Screw all of that having to compromise with neighbors, or worse, HOAs' over fences, height, style, color/landscaping/house colors/mailbox styles/keeping your garage door closed...etc.

[Gogar]

I don't think it's HOAs, I think it's the city, FWIW.

[john70t]

An 8ft fence is a perfect place to hang planters, birdhouses, or an offset lattice for morning glories/beans/other. Seriously, do you want to view him at 6am with a cup of coffee in one hand, and the other scratching his tidi-whities?

The only downside is the varience may stay with the property and affect values.
The style of the fence has a lot to do with it. Mabye you and the neighbor can have a say in final approval(?)

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'd move. Screw all of that having to compromise with neighbors, or worse, HOAs' over fences, height, style, color/landscaping/house colors/mailbox styles/keeping your garage door closed...etc.

Aaah, a rant close to my heart. I can't wait until I have the money to live on acres, where a fence won't matter because I can't see my neighbors. HOAs are the devil.