That’s pretty much it. There is already a chain link fence between my back yard and the neighbor’s, but I’d like to have a privacy fence…they probably would too, since my boxer can climb the existing fence like a monkey. They have moved out and have their house for sale, so sharing a new fence isn’t going to be an option. (I’ve offered.)
So, can I build one myself, against the chain link? I’m concerned about how to orient it, where to put the posts, etc, in relation to the current fence.
Thanks!
k
Sure, our neighbors had a wooden privacy fence against our chainlink fence for years, until their fence decayed (it wasn’t exterior grade), and they took it down.
In our muncipality, the person building a new fence must face the “finished” side (the side opposite the one with the struts, beams, and hardware) toward the neighboring property, but I’m guessing something like a plastic panel fence would have in effect 2 finished sides, so it wouldn’t matter.
Of course, it’s a pain in the butt cleaning out leaf litter, trash, weeds etc from between the chain link and the privacy fence - could the privacy fence have a few inches gap were you could access and clean this space.
Have you considered installing privacy slats in the chain link fence? It would no doubt be cheaper, easier and also fix the climbing boxer problem, I would think.
Have it surveyed, first. You don’t want to assume that the existing fence is the property line. If for some reason it’s cheating into your neighbor’s hard, and you end up building a fence on their property, a new neighbor who decides to be an asshole can take it down and waste your work.
And check your local building codes…you may not be allowed to build a solid fence over a certain height. Depending on the length-height-material of the fence, you may need to pull a permit either way.
Will do…I don’t want a crazy fence, though–just the standard 6’ I see around the neighborhood.
Those slats are pretty snazzy too, but I’d have to clear it with the owners first…
Do you know who owns the chain link fence? Where I live there is no such thing as a shared" fence. It belongs to one neighbor or the other. If it is your fence, you should be able replace it at will.
It is courteous to have the “nice” side facing out and as SirRay mentioned, it may be mandated by law in some places.
To add to Six Ate’s contribution, speak directly with your city’s building inspector before you make any changes. Be very clear about what you intend to do. Bring pictures perhaps.
It doesn’t hurt to have something in writing as well verifying that you have city approval.
Sounds like overkill, but it will save you money and headaches in the long run.
Privacy slats might or might not stop a climbing Boxer, I dunno.
In any case, check with your local building department, or whatever it’s called where you live. They should be able to tell you way more than you wanted to know about what you can and cannot do.
I built a 6 foot tall wooden fence about 6" inside the chain link between our yard and the apartment building on the other side. The only problem I had was spacing the 4x4 posts so that they were away from the chain link posts. There’s a big chunk of concrete around the bottoms of those.
It’s only “shared” in that it is common to both our backyards. And the neighbor (who has moved) was always kind enough to call it “our” fence. But it does belong to the neighbor–otherwise I’d just replace it altogether with something prettier.
Anyway, I’ll call Town Hall and see if Joe or Ed or someone is in charge of such things. Probably the same guys that shuts off my water if I forget to pay my bill. 
(bolding mine)
Just out of curiosity… How did you determine that it ‘belongs to the neighbor’? 
I’ve always heard that if the posts are on ‘your’ side of the chain link, then that would make it your fence. This is not always the case, though. YMMV
And, as other posters have already pointed out, it would probably be a good idea to determine where the actual property line is located and what the local building codes/regulations have to say about the subject, before building anything.
Just sayin’… 
If the poles are on your side of the chain link there is a good chance it is your fence anyway.
The fence belongs to the parcel on which the posts sit.
Technically, this is correct.
Which ever side of the property line the fence is on, determines who it belongs to.
No matter which side the posts are on.
I know (in my unofficial way, I mean) that it’s my neighbor’s because it is connected to their house. The only part I “share” divides our back yards–in other words, it surrounds their yard, not mine. I had to build a privacy fence at the sides of my house to complete the fencing around my own yard. Plus the realtor told me when I bought my house, as did the neighbors. Which is not exactly written in stone and I haven’t had it surveyed or anything, because I’m fine with it being their fence. I’d just like to have a wooden fence between us to keep my dogs from bothering whoever moves in next.
The previous neighbors had two boxers of their own, and no one minded an extra dog or two in either yard, but other people may not be so appreciative of Hot Rod suddenly turning up at their backyard cookout, I’m guessing.
I’m going to have the same issue with the back fence, which separates my yard from the cemetary. The dogs don’t jump that one, but it would be nice to eventually fence it in as well.
Now I’m thinking of dividing the back yard and building the wooden fence a fair distance from the existing one. It would give the dogs a somewhat smaller yard, but it would also give me a second area to garden. There would also be the added benefit of a two-gate system to minimize the dog escapes. (Doesn’t happen often, but it’s easy for meter readers, etc, to not quite latch the gate, and my dogs are no dummies–it’s the first thing they check when they go out.
And it would eliminate the weedy strip I envision appearing between two close-together fences.
Since your neighbor moved out then I would add privacy slats and bet that no one would ever notice nor would any who did say anything. I have installed chainlink fence professionally and if someone actually did complain then the privacy slates could be removed just as easy as installed. Privacy slates will be much easier to install with two people (one pushing and one guiding leading edge).
Another option for privacy is grow a hedge. Or grow a creeping vine plant that will climb the fence and thereby give privacy. Want to keep dog from climbing the fence? Then make sure these plants have spikey spines or grow a cactus garden in front of fence. Of course any plants you grow have ongoing maintenance issues.