Can I do anything about my neighbours new fence?

Question

Put in an offer for a house. While waiting on settlement the neighbour has built an 8 foot fence out front, blocking our ocean views from our living room. Is this against council regulation in any way? Can I dispute it?

Answer 1

Just because the fence is on their property, doesn't mean it legal, and certainly doesn't mean you can't do anything about it, but laws vary from one community to another.  In my town you cannot build a fence in the front yard taller than 36-inches (92cm) unless it is a "see-through" fence like chain-link, which can be a maximum of 48 inches (122cm) with absolutely no exceptions.  In the back yard you are limited to 6 feet (183cm), but you may be able to get variances from the City Council for certain reasons, but it is difficult, and if even only one neighbor objects, you will never get that variance.  You should check with your City Offices to see who deals with fencing issues in your community, then check with them to see if there is anything you can do to get the fence lowered or removed.  Some communities also have laws against restricting public views, so check on that one too.  One thing to think about though, you may be moving in next door to the people who built the fence you are trying to get removed.  Do you want to start a "war" with your potential new neighbors that you will have to live with in the future?  The old saying "Good fences make good neighbors" should also include "A fight over a fence makes the worse neighbors of all!"

Answer 2

The maximum height for a front garden fence (ie one which borders a road/ pavement is 1 metre.  This is enforcable as any higher is dangerous for motorists emerging from neighbouring drives.  I believe that generally, in any location, fences above 5 feet are frowned upon so, yes I'd say dispute it, however fence disputes are probably not very high on the agenda for your local council.....

Answer 3

i would get with city hall

Answer 4

some homeowners associations have fence height limits for a community - check with them if that applies to you, Otherwise you can't do anything because it is on their property.

Answer 5

I don't know how it works in the UK, but in the US, no, you wouldn't be able to do anything about it. If it's on his property, you have no control over it. You can check with your council and see if there's anything you can do. Otherwise, is it too late to back out of the sale?

Sorry this happened to you. Hope it all works out.

Answer 6

Check with your City Hall to find out who to talk to. It might be the building inspector.

In my little town in the United States, there are rules of how tall a fence can be and how far back the fence has to be from the street, etc.

You'll probably only be able to do something if your neighbors broke a law.