Neighbor problems : what rules govern separation walls between residential homes in Brooklyn?

My neighbor built a six foot concrete wall on the dividing line between my mothers house and his two years ago. He did not consult us when he did this. My understanding is that he is supposed to get our approval or put the wall back from the dividing line? Anyhow, we let it go to be good neighbors.

Now he just put up a six foot plastic wall on top of the concrete wall in the back yard area of the house creating a 12 foot barrier between our houses. Is this legal? I don’t want to start a feud with the neighbor but this blocks out our light and is simply ugly. He did not even have the respect to ask if we would mind. He says he is building a pool back there and wants his privacy and says he was too busy at work to consult us on the common wall!

streaker

in Zoning 13 years and 6 months ago

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Slope4Eva | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Is there a rule about putting up a lovely fence (HOWEVER, the back which faces you is gosh-awful)? I’ve been told by non-experts that the “nice” part of the fence should face out. Athena, fight your fencing issues, I’m getting fed up with these entitled neighbors.

bowl-of-dicks | 13 years and 6 months ago

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“this blocks out our light and is simply ugly”. Ask yourself if what will be swimming in their pool come summertime is uglier. They might actually be doing you a service!

Townie | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Just dealt with this exact problem.  Neighbors contractor installed a fence according to HIS measurements against my wishes.  Hired a surveyor who determined that the new fence was built over on my property by more than two feet.  Was also about to double up the height but stopped after I made him move the fence.  Costly error on his part.

jockdeboeraia | 13 years and 6 months ago

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A concrete wall would require a permit and it and its foundation would need to be behind the property line unless an aggrement was filed.

Goatcrapp | 13 years and 6 months ago

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He obviously doesn’t care about starting a problem, so why should you?  This is how nervy a-holes get away with it.. they bank on 90% of the time – the other party won’t want to “stir the pot” Heck with him.. be loud and obnoxious about your displeasure, and do everything you can legally to prevent, hinder, and stop it. Make it more trouble than it’s worth for him to be a nervy neighbor.

slopemope | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Generally, 6 feet is the typical residentuial zoning restruction, despite the fact that DOB allows up to 10 feet.   http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/tool_kit_fences.pdf As far as building on the lot line -if you haven’t agreed to a “lot line adjustment agreement” hire a surveyor and see where the fence falls.  This is not inconsequental for your property rights and thus a major reason why fence lawsuits are common in real estate.