What to do about neighbor's "temporary" fence.

http://cdn.brownstoner.com/500abd0b2a4de-.jpg

Our neighbor recently erected a nine-foot tall blue tarp on our property line, presumably for privacy, and has no intention of taking it down.  NYC fence code says anything over six feet needs a permit.  I have repeatedly filed complaints to DOB via 311, but have seen no results.  Any suggestions?

Lincolnplace

in Landscaping 12 years and 9 months ago

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Bond | 12 years and 9 months ago

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What about buying your own tarp? They come in much more natural colors like brown or dark green and put it on your side?  I’m assuming your big objection is the current view is pretty garish, so maybe you could make it so that it’s just slightly less so? I know, I know, you shouldn’t have to do this, when the other owner is wrong, but……..

pigthree | 12 years and 9 months ago

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sounds like an investment property.  certain types of owners/landlords have no problems with the dob.  there is a ten family next to a friend that is gutting without permits.  Inspectors showed up.  owner got on the phone, handed phone to inspector, inspector listened, handed phone back, got in car and drove away.

Silvermax | 12 years and 9 months ago

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The blue tarp is on the other fence as well — any point in talking to folks at that house? Have they too had problems with this person’s renovations?

cupolacoffee | 12 years and 9 months ago

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Assuming the back story is as you describe it, a C of O can’t be changed without filing and permits. They may have altered use, but they haven’t changed the C of O without permits and signoff. File a complaint directly with DOB. If you’re sure you’re right about altered use, file a complaint about an illegal apartment. No one at DOB’s going to take a complaint about the blue tarp seriously. Worry more about what that tarp is hiding and whether their construction is jeopardizing structural stability. If they never obtained permits before calendaring and landmarking, their work is also now subject to LPC approval, so you can complain to them, too.

Lincolnplace | 12 years and 9 months ago

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I didn’t take the bamboo suggestion too seriously.  We planted some at our former house in PA and it grew 20 feet tall and turned into a jungle.  I wouldn’t do that to anyone.  As far as our neighbors go, they have done everything under the radar, including changing their C of O.  The only things listed on DOB BIS are about 23 violations going back to the 80’s, but most in the last 10 years.  They are mostly no-heat violations from their tenants, and boiler violations.  That’s why I’m anxious to get someone from DOB back there to see what is going on. The blue tarp “fence” should be a good enough violation to get an inspector back there to see what is going on.  We were just landmarked last June, so I don’t know if that will have any effect.

cupolacoffee | 12 years and 9 months ago

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Don’t plant bamboo unless you know what you’re doing. Very bad advice unless you can keep it contained. It’s highly invasive.
10 years? Do your neighbors have permits? Depending where you are on Lincoln Pl., they might also need LPC approval (their rear windows would fail). You can check their permits on DOB BIS. Check both “Jobs/Filings” as well as “Actions”: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/bis/bis.shtml

armchairwarrior | 12 years and 9 months ago

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wow 10 years??? okay plant some nice tall bamboos or hedges they go over like 8 feet that should cover everything.

Lincolnplace | 12 years and 9 months ago

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If only it was that simple … The construction on the house next door is now in it’s 10th year.  The debris in the back yard has been there for at least the six years we have lived here.  Earlier this summer the low fence you see was covered with really nice ivy, honeysuckle, and a few low trees which provided about six feet of privacy.  One day it was all gone, including plants on our side of the fence.  There are numerous other problems that I have only been able to resolve through 311 — things such as floor nailing at 10 pm, jacking up beams that cracked plaster on our common wall, bricks falling on our stoop from their construction, etc.  This is just the latest in a long line of problems.  I appreciate the input, but the “nice” approach wore out a few years ago.

armchairwarrior | 12 years and 9 months ago

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it might protect you from construction debris etc… calling 311 isn’t very neighborly for small stuff like this. unless they are on your side of the property line other wise let things be. think of it this way, if you ever going to do any small renovation they could make your life hell. by keep calling 311 and doing you back that favor.

brooklynhome | 12 years and 9 months ago

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Apart from it being a bright blue tarp (ugly) does it bother you in another way?  It looks like the original fence is quite low and you can enjoy the privacy, too.  It also looks like they have some construction going on with those big garbage cans filled with wood.  Maybe it is temporary and more about protecting your property?  Can you install your own fence at the 6′ height to block the tarp from your side and get a better view?