Neighbor problems

[seanf86]

Figured I'd ask your opinion on this as its been bothering me. It is a bit of a read.

Last fall I had a sliding gate built across my rearward driveway off the back lane since I had problems with people coming into my yard and taking random things/looking for empty beer cans to return for refund. I had it built just before the property line which is almost up against the lane. The neighbor across the lane came over and expressed her displeasure for the fence since its so close to the lane and that it poses issues getting out and it will be problem in the winter. I thought nothing of it, mostly because she drives a small car.

Fast forward to last week, she saw me outside and came over and basically told me I'm selfish, only think of myself and that she is going to petition to have the fence removed yadda yadda yadda. Her husband drives a fullsize chevy truck and I see him back in and swing the truck into the garage effortlessly, this lady drives a fiesta and is complaining, not once has her husband been around during any of these conversations. When they plow the lanes in the winter its only plowed the width of a loader bucket which is narrower than the lane itself, so in theory my fence poses no issue. What I think the issue is now is that she has nowhere on my property to illegally dump her snow now which causes it to spill out making the lane narrower for her. She also told me I need to shovel behind my gate on the city property to keep it clear of snow for her to back out which is not my problem.

Part of me wants to get my property re staked and move the fence as close as I'm legally allowed just to be an asshole for her demeaning bullying tone, on the other hand I don't want to start a neighbor war and have the police called if I shut the music off 1 min after the noise bylaw kicks in on the weekend. At the end of the day I'll probably move the fence just to keep the peace but it irks me having to do it. I have to wait until the frost is out of the ground anyway.

[redline380]

Don't move the fence, that will just make things worse.

In the most polite way, tell her to "fuck off" assuming of course you are 100% in the right. I'm having a hard time imagining this (maybe lost in translation between Canadian to Merican) but a picture would greatly help too.

But If I am correct, she can't really complain about the fence blocking her ingress/egress since it is on your land anyways. If it blocked her, that would mean she would be on your property, right? Refer to advice above. Or get her husband off to the side and ask his opinion.

If it were me, I'd probably just let it it go. Any time she tried talking to me, I'd give her a weird look, make up an excuse as to why I can't talk any more, then stew over the situation privately. Classic Minnesotan passive-aggressive. Guessing you Canucks are no different.

If you really want to, ask her what right she has to demand you move your fence. The only one she can give you is that the fence is blocking her way in or out. If it is on your property, tell her to deal with it by widening her driveway approach. Case solved.

[derek2079]

Hey all I can say is that you don't sound selfish. You just value your property and privacy. And these things can be really tricky because obviously the last place you'd ever want to fight with is a neighbor but this sort of stuff happens all of the time. Just go with what your gut tells you. If I were you I would write all of my feelings down and convey them to the neighbors who are complaining. It really helps to get things out instead of holding it all in.

Hope this helps.

[seanf86]

Don't move the fence, that will just make things worse.

In the most polite way, tell her to "fuck off" assuming of course you are 100% in the right. I'm having a hard time imagining this (maybe lost in translation between Canadian to Merican) but a picture would greatly help too.

But If I am correct, she can't really complain about the fence blocking her ingress/egress since it is on your land anyways. If it blocked her, that would mean she would be on your property, right? Refer to advice above. Or get her husband off to the side and ask his opinion.

If it were me, I'd probably just let it it go. Any time she tried talking to me, I'd give her a weird look, make up an excuse as to why I can't talk any more, then stew over the situation privately. Classic Minnesotan passive-aggressive. Guessing you Canucks are no different.

If you really want to, ask her what right she has to demand you move your fence. The only one she can give you is that the fence is blocking her way in or out. If it is on your property, tell her to deal with it by widening her driveway approach. Case solved.

Basically she is across the back lane from me, I live in a 100 y/o neighborhood with 25ft wide lots however mine is on a double lot but my driveway is directly behind her garage across the lane from her. I guess before she used to have extra bumper space because the fence was not right at the property line and she would overhang onto my property leaving her garage.

I'm 99% sure that the fence is on my property if she gets the city involved I will get my lines restaked and move the fence but I doubt it as we found all the property markers from when the house was built (my house is a new infill in the neighborhood)

Part of me is thinking to just move the fence like I said I don't want this turning into a feud where If I have people over on a Saturday night and we turn the music off 1 min after the by law kicks in I don't want the cops being called everytime since the way shes behaving now that seems like what will happen.

redline you're right tho, I am being very passive aggressive about this. I can't do anything until the frost starts to leave the ground and she has been fine all winter. I think it all just comes down to she can't drive a fucking car.

[JPT]

I am on your side. Before you have to worry about anything, does your town require permits for fences? Did you get the permits (if required)?

In Long Island (the worst part of the earth for getting permits), you are required to get a variance which must be signed by neighboring properties (it sounds like there is public access between your lot and hers, so she may not be part of the required signature). If so, she may work the other neighbors to be on her side, to where they will not sign it.

I hope your area isn't like mine.

[cab509]

I'll start with the statement, I am not a lawyer...



It sounds like you have every right to have a fence on your property and she's just being a nasty see you next tuesday about it. I'd check your local zoning laws and as long as you are in the right, nicely tell her to have a wonderful day and that you will not be moving your fence which is legally allowed to be there.

[seanf86]

I am on your side. Before you have to worry about anything, does your town require permits for fences? Did you get the permits (if required)?

In Long Island (the worst part of the earth for getting permits), you are required to get a variance which must be signed by neighboring properties (it sounds like there is public access between your lot and hers, so she may not be part of the required signature). If so, she may work the other neighbors to be on her side, to where they will not sign it.

I hope your area isn't like mine.

No permit is required to build a fence, adjoining residential properties the fence can be ON the property line, adjoining city property the fence can be UP TO the property line meaning it all has to be on my property and not on the cities, according to my measurements its sitting 2-3" inside the property line. The fence can also be no higher than 6ft 6in, mine is made with 6ft boards and a beam above it that the fence sides back and forth at around 8ft so construction wise it should all be in compliance.

At the end of the day I think shes just salty she can't park a Ford Fiesta and her husband who I've never met parks his full size Chev truck no problem.

and for some light Friday humor I'll leave this here