Want to build a backyard fence but backyard is enclosed by 2 different building's windows

I’m looking to build a wooden fence in my backyard for more privacy. Currently we have 2 different buildings enclosing the back and the right side of my yard. Their windows face directly into our backyard. The right building’s windows are so close to our backyard ground that I feel like they can come out of their window to our backyard if they really wanted to. I don’t feel like I have much privacy. Currently the right building is abandoned but recently saw some people cleaning it out and heard that the property got bought by somebody. I really want to build a fence before anyone starts remodeling the building. The left side of the backyard has my other neighbor’s garage built right up to my property line. I have met with 2 landscapers to help me with the process to which both landscapers mentioned that I can just build a fence and can cover my neighbor’s windows which I find questionable. 1) Am I allowed to build a wooden fence inside my property line even if it will block any light source to the neighbor’s window? I mean their window will open directly to the wooden fence.  2) Property line rule, does that apply? If so how many inches or feet am I supposed to build the fence away from the other buildings?  3) I would hate to just build a fence directly against neighbor’s windows that I am thinking of the option of planting some whispy bamboo plants. The back neighbor’s windows are about 5 feet off the ground that even if I did put in the bamboos it will probably just cover the bottom of their window about half a feet. If I did plant the bamboos on the right side of my backyard, it will cover the majority of the window height of the right neighbor (currently abandoned). Any answers or advices are very much appreciated.

kim4

in Fencing 12 years ago

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shahnandersen

in Fencing 12 years ago

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Note that your fence can only be a maximum of 6 ft in height.  From how you describe the window location, I’m not sure this will meet your needs.

brooklynny | 12 years ago

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If you build a fence right on the property line, is it still “your” fence?  What if the neighbor wants to replace it with something that matches the fence on the other side of his/her yard (but not the fence on the other side of your own yard)?  For reasons like this, is it better to put up the fence a few inches inside the property line?

Arkady | 12 years ago

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No matter what kind, I wouldn’t plant bamboo.  A neighbor of mine planted supposedly non-invasive clumping & it’s now wended its way into 5 backyards. And, yes, you can build right up to lot line – I think it’s the case that the adjoining windows should be bricked in but I may be wrong about that.

annep | 12 years ago

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Another option is to make a swinging fence door/panel that you can leave open when you’re not in the yard, but which you can close for privacy when you are.  My yard is directly in front of my neighbor’s bathroom & that’s what I did for the sake of neighborly relations…

marie-helene | 12 years ago

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1- Yes, windows on a lot line aren’t protected. 2- You can build the fence right on the line. 3- if you plant bamboo, pick the clumping kind (with round stalks, not running bamboo with a groove); to cover the windows, you can plant bamboo that will grow about 12-14 ft high. I would advise you to build a fence before people move in.  Although you are completely within your rights, it’s better if the future occupants never know that the window(s) had open views.