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Fence question

4K views 16 replies 13 participants last post by  Yoyizit 
#1 ·
Right now I have a normal 8' wooden fence surrounding my backyard. The problem is that my neighbor decided to buils a 2 story garage apartment right on the property line, with the upstairs windows looking directly over my pool / backyard. :(

Is there any way to build a fence, or something to regain some of my privacy?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
#2 ·
Being as there are height restictions on fencing,you may be stuck between a rock and a hard place.you are in a crappy position,not much you can do about it,other than build something large in the yard with a semi covered roof,large tents are legall,or plant some arborities(not sure if i spelled that right) which should be legall and grow approx 16' tall,and give lots of privacy once mature.
:thumbsup:
 
#4 ·
Maybe pay him to remove the window that overlooks your property? If he's built it/ rents it for profit, I'm sure he'll understand the language of money. It'd be easy enough for him to remove the window, but it'd hurt the appeal of his unit for rental. But maybe if you just offered him something he'd find it worthwhile (which could be cheaper than buying a bunch of large trees and waiting years for maturity). I dunno you or your neighbor, nor can I see how many windows actually view your backyard, but figured you may not have thought of trying to resolve it with him.
 
#6 ·
Are you sure they have a permit in place? We have rules here about windows facing yards and I know a neighour I had got really upset they wouldn't approve the garage windows he had that actually faced into the side of my garage (so no potential issues at all in reality but still not allowed). If he's got a permit you may still be able to appeal to your city building folks to see if they can ask for the windows to be moved before the thing is finished.
 
#10 ·
2 story garage apartment right on the property line is illegal... there is a set back law in rural as well as city. it is 50 feet here in front and 30 feet sides facing neighbors. 3 feet in town for sheds, garage, etc.. check local codes and i bet if you are correct about the "2 story garage apartment right on the property line" part, he will have to move it.
hope this helps!
DM
 
#11 ·
Plants

If he is legal etc. You can plant Bamboo but you neet to put in a good liner because it will grow every where. It will get 30 ft tall in a year or so. You can cut some out now and then and it will grow rapidly.
I like the floods-------soooooo annoying.
Ask him nice maybe you can persuade him to put windows on his own side!!
 
#13 ·
Legal?

I am curious about the codes, etc. there. I'll not suggest what is and what isn't legal in your area, but I have to think there should be something. However, in my area (rural) several years ago there was the mindset that, "It's my property, I'll do what I want." And that was pretty much it for a number of years. Then an asphalt plant wanted to build near a subdivision and a few other things and now we actually have county codes. Seemed when it was in their backyard, people's ideas changed!

I don't know about building codes (not county codes) which would be another ballgame.

Another option, at least in Georgia, is a tort law that says you have right to enjoy your property. A lot of variance there, you have to prove that case by case. For example, there may not be a noise ordinance per se, but a late night bar, game room, etc in a residential area could come under this. Not trying to start a legal argument of "Yeah, but what if?" here. Just something to consider.
 
#14 ·
You have to live with this guy. s approach him and say that the window bother your and invade on your privacy. and your concerned on the type of tenant that could be in there, Do you have a permit for the pool? see what I'm getting at, speak to him first. Here in my town we have a height limit of 15' from the crown of the road and a rear yard set back of 6' and a side yard of 10' the height restriction is to keep homeowners from making apartments above there garage. BOB
 
#15 ·
If what he's doing is legal, then maybe he'll compromise on the type of window. Instead of a large picture window that would allow people to look out over your yard, he could put in windows that are narrow horizontal slits that are placed above eye level (like a clerestory) . That would allow light into the room but would prevent people from looking down into your yard.

Steve S.
 
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