Fencing in a Lot Line Window b/c of annoying neighbors.

Without going into the whole story – the neighboring building has a lot-line window into my backyard. Even after several discussions, the neighbors are not respectful of my property. (Complete slobs. Using my yard as an ash tray and garbage bin. They rent. Their landlord is unresponsive at best.)

As I understand it – there are no inherent rights to this window, in nyc. As long as I comply with whatever fencing regulations there are (in regards to height, etc) – I can build it right across this window, and there’s no recourse for them, correct?

Any “gotchas” that i’m missing here?

Goatcrapp

in General Discussion 8 years and 1 month ago

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BKALLDAY | 8 years and 1 month ago

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Is the wind street or parlor level or greater? If they cannot respectfully control their nasty ways and you don’t want to get into the expense of a fence, plant a nice fat evergreen tree right in front. Put it in a large barrel so it blocks their light. Another winner is those fall-over sprinklers that sweep in an arc. Put one on a timer to come on every 30 minutes and make sure it falls onto their window. It may ratchet things up but “sauce for the goose…”

Good luck

Arkady | 8 years and 1 month ago

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Slopefarm is right on. DEP/EPA will view this as a hazardous condition & issue violations.

randolph | 8 years and 1 month ago

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install a mirror on a tall pole right in front of and facing their window.

slopefarm | 8 years and 1 month ago

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Some options: Get a free-standing bamboo fence, maybe 6′ long and high enough, and put it in the ground about a foot in front of the window. That way you don’t have to see them or the garbage as it happens. You will still be stuck cleaning the little area behind the fence out from time to time. Maybe put a fake security camera on top.

Take pictures of the garbage and report it to 311 as a waste disposal violation by the landlord. Not sure this will work but after a ticket or two, perhaps the LL will be more inclined to see the matter from your perspective.

EJR | 8 years and 1 month ago

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I have no idea what the legal issues are here, but I do find this humorous to think about. I envision you doing this and the neighbor taking a sawzall to the fence covering their window opening. In all seriousness though, lot line or not, I can’t imagine you can physically attached something to their property without their consent. Do you know if the lot line is actually right up against their building or is there a small alleyway? There is certainly nothing preventing you from building a fence that is completely on your lot, though per another thread I understand you’d need a permit if the fence is higher than 6 feet.