So much this. I’m on the rural side of the burbs, but when we moved here 9 years ago I went around introducing myself to the local neighbors and the reaction was a mixture of fear, confusion and suspicion. Only one has been what I consider a “proper” neighbor, as in, we check in on each other in rough weather, let each other know when something’s going on that might impact them or whatever. When we had laying hens we even brought around fresh eggs and dropped them off with notes asking folks to return the cartons when they were done and let us know if they wanted more b/c we had too much to eat. Not a one peep, except from the 1 good neighbor. 
14 Likes
Having never built a fence, I had not previously considered how post placement could constitute a “dick move.”
Thank you! Having learned something new today, I can now go home and go to bed.
[Insert “The More You Know” gif here]
1 Like
Our local city code has a similar rule as well; however, they also have a rule for the fence for the back yard as well.
1 Like
Yep, usually on the back 2/3rds of the lot 6’ is the limit. I’ve been told it’s mainly so emergency services can get onto the property easily if need be. It’s actually pretty surprising how many codes that appear arbitrary at first are in place solely to protect the home occupant from harm and/or liability for harming another.
3 Likes
Also: Don’t get my GF started on fence stories. She works for the city and there are always complaints and improper permits etc for fence building.
4 Likes
We rent, but from what I understand our landlord put up the cinder block fence and split some of the cost with a few neighbors:
I’m dying to paint it and I want to plant something in front of the pole, but I don’t think that’s allowed.
The tree on the right drives my fastidious neighbor CRAZY and we have to bug our landlord to hack it back 1-2 times per year:
He’s says that he’s worried that his electrical power lines will get pulled in Santa Ana wind conditions. Whenever I point out that he can look into using the other utility pole that borders his yard on right (you can see it in the photo), he changes the subject. I find it odd that his power line runs across our landlord’s property even though there is another utility pole attached to his property. My guess is that he doesn’t want to pay for this AND it would cross his yard and be unsightly.
4 Likes
This is a distortion of the facts at hand. She made the initial mistake by building it too high, and her jurisdiction’s building department made her correct it. That’s apparently when she decided that turning into a giant baby was the best response.
I wonder how they found out? My guess is the neighbor that she built the fence to block in the first place reported it. She mentioned that the entire reason for installing the fence was that neighbor.
I had new neighbors move in behind my house, where there was a common fence line between the properties. They built a new PVC one, twice as high as the chain link everyone else had, next to four neighbors’ fences (front yards are open, by code, and back yards are offset). According to the code, not only are homeowners supposed to get approval before installation, but neighbors are also notified in case they want to raise concerns at the planning meeting.
By rights, any one of us could’ve complained. The usual remedy is to fine the homeowner and make them take it down whatever is in violation. However, nobody said anything. I never met members of that family, and neither did my neighbors on either side.
Years later, I paid to have trees in the no-man’s land they created between our yards trimmed away from the cable lines (power company only cuts what affects their lines). As I was supervising, a woman came out of the house, asked me if the tree surgeon was expensive, and wondered aloud if they would throw in cutting another tree on their property for free. All I said was, “I don’t think so.” After she went back inside, it hit me that she’d never introduced herself, or acknowledged that I was probably cleaning up their mess. 
8 Likes
I remember when I was a kid that all the neighbours in the countryside where I lived were friendly, we made cookouts together while watching football on these newfangled color tv sets, I was playing everyday with other kids in the stret or in some homes and so on. My parents still live there but all neighbours except one have changed, and everyone is staying at their home and never introduced themselves. Seems to me time have changed.
7 Likes
I’m likely that kind of person, i like to keep to myself and while i’m not a homeowner i’ve never felt compelled to get to know my neighbors at the various apartments i’ve lived in. I’m shy, introverted and i can be a social butterfly when the occasion calls for it but my default state is to not wanting to socialize. So… sorry not sorry? I don’t feel a need to get to know my neighbors, but i’m certainly not going to be a dick if someone says hi to me or try to engage is small talk.
5 Likes
Does it matter? Building and zoning codes are a contract between individual homeowners and the rest of their community, and there are avenues available for homeowners to seek variances. Those who violate them are the instigators, not the ones pointing out their mistakes.
1 Like
In the 15 years that I’ve lived in San Francisco, staying within the lines doesn’t seem to be the ethos.
2 Likes
Are you sure he wasn’t trying to get you buy him a new fence?
Maybe, half a fence then… 
If he planted bamboo for a screen next to it, you’ll have bamboo on you’re side too. It’s a huge underground runner and super aggressive. It’ll be growing on both sides and headed for the rest of the yard if you don’t stay on top of it.
6 Likes
Sometimes, in the spirit of maintaining peace with one’s neighbors, people refrain from pointing out mistakes. If I had turned in my neighbors and the township had them pull down their very expensive fence, it might’ve led to some kind of retaliation/escalation. The only ones to benefit in that situation would be the township, because they assess the fines and collect the fees.
4 Likes
Regarding the desire to paint, consider either a wheat-paste based paint tinted with pigment or clay, or draw on it with chalk. Either option will spruce it up for your view, but eventually washes away so probably wouldn’t cause too much strife with the landlord, IMO.
2 Likes
Having been mistakenly told by the local authority that 6ft was ok. If they’d given her the correct info to start with none of this would ever have happened.
ETA, well that’s what she claims - around 1.25 into the video.
1 Like
There are plenty of non-spreading bamboo varieties. Who knows what variety was planted here?
Those are her words so I’ll take them with a grain of salt. This is a very common fencing rule, and I highly doubt she provided all the pertinent details. Regardless, it’s not the building department’s job to explain the code in detail, or to plan your project for you. They are just enforcement. The applicable codes are available to all who seek them, or better yet just hire a professional. If I told an inspector that some rando down at the city told me I could do something that contradicted well-established code, they would just laugh and tell me to call for a re-inspection when I’m ready. Zero sympathy for this lady, especially considering her reaction to being told “no”. The worst part is it would have been sooooo easy to make the fence right without the public tantrum. The corrected fence just might save a kid’s life someday, and save reactionary lady from a lawsuit. I just don’t get it.
1 Like
That’s a great idea! Even if we paint it white, she may not remember since it’s been almost eight years since she’s been in our back yard. I thought a cool mural would be fun or checkerboard or alternating colors (even considered tiles, but too expensive).
3 Likes
Glad it might work for you!
I used wheat paste based paints at our house. Got different colored clay from a pottery store, and some non-toxic pigments. If you need a recipe, we should move this over to the crafting thread. 
2 Likes
