lot line window issues
I have a small garden area behind my house in cobble hill. On one side of the garden is a one story brick wall with a window (sill is about 8′ high). On the other side of the window is the kitchen of restaurant. For 5 years we enjoyed quiet meals out back until the…
I have a small garden area behind my house in cobble hill. On one side of the garden is a one story brick wall with a window (sill is about 8′ high). On the other side of the window is the kitchen of restaurant. For 5 years we enjoyed quiet meals out back until the garden. Then the restaurant moved in. Now the window is always open releasing not only the noises of a busy kitchen: pots and pans clanking, wait staff and dishwashers yelling, but also the odors of grilling fish and meat and a flood of fluorescent light at night.
Can I build a fence to cover this window? any thoughts? thank you.
I have similar problem with a lot line window facing my garden. The bottom of the sill is 6 feet from the ground. Here’s what I found out after several weeks of research:
1. Lot line windows are not against NYC building code in buidings of three stories or less.
2. You may build a fences of 6 feet or less without a permit. If you want a fence over 6 feet you’ll need a permit and my guess is you are likely to be denied if you want to build a fence in front a neighbor’s lot line window.
3. Fixtures in yards like trellises and arbors are permitted.
4. A row of trees that serves as a fence is considered a fence and is limited to 6 feet.
5. I didn’t find any limits against trees that don’t appear to be a “fence” i.e., a small stand of trees, a large planter box with tall trees or bamboo in it, etc. (I’m planning to do something like this.)
I am also planning to put up some kind of “shade sale” (large triangle or sqaure of outdoor fabric) that is strategically placed to block out the window. I’ll give them some clearance and also be strategic about the position to give them a little of the direct afternoon sun -just to prevent a fued.
You are not obligated to give the neighbor any kind of view but you also can’t fence them over. I kind of wish I could, because this window is the one thing about my new house I dislike greatly. (everything else was too good to pass up.) But some creative garden planning should do it.
If anyone has any more advice – about some kind of 12 foot high garden structure / plant, I’d love to hear it!
We have a similar issue in our Brooklyn apartment. We have 2 floors of a three story house, and the neighbor’s house has an addition on with 3 big windows that look out onto our backyard. We want to put up some lattice or fencing for privacy, but I can’t find the legality of this issue anywhere. My brother, an architect, thinks that the windows on a property line are against building code, but I’m not certain. Anyone have any knowledge on this issue?
If the sill of the window is about 8′ high the fence would have to be about 15′ high in order to block it. Would that be allowed?
sure but it’s not going to eliminate the sounds & smells emanating from that kitchen.
Yes. there should be no venting windows on the lot line. and building a fence is just the thing.