# Putting up a privacy fence - might get awkward with neighbor **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 22, 2014, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-up-a-privacy-fence-might-get-awkward-with-neighbor/686667 "2014-04-22T10:57:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-up-a-privacy-fence-might-get-awkward-with-neighbor/686667/41 "2014-04-23T15:30:23Z")
And what if they go “Nude sunbathing? Can we join you”? ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-up-a-privacy-fence-might-get-awkward-with-neighbor/686667/42 "2014-04-23T19:38:11Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Also, I looked into local code and learned: > > [ul] > [li]The finished side of the fence must face my neighbor’s yard[/li][li]I must remove the existing chain link fence[/li][li]I need the neighbor’s written permission to erect a privacy fence[/li][/ul] > > Turning out to be a bigger deal than I first thought. > mmm There’s an existing chain link fence? I’ve seen things that look like slats in venetian blinds you weave through chain link fencing that provide privacy. At least enough to block the view of most of the next to their garage trash/outdoor storage. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-up-a-privacy-fence-might-get-awkward-with-neighbor/686667/43 "2014-04-23T21:56:20Z")
> [@sandra\_nz](#): > > Honesty is the best policy and all that. 😉 > > Question for you - if they moved that stuff elsewhere (out of your sight), would you still want to put a fence up? Yes. In addition to the ugly visual, we also get cigarette butts and beer cans tossed in our yard after one of their parties, daily stray basketballs, and too much very late noise during the aforementioned parties. Also, a general desire for more privacy. mmm ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-up-a-privacy-fence-might-get-awkward-with-neighbor/686667/44 "2014-04-24T02:06:20Z")
Just say, “You know how it is, the wife wants to do up the yard like she saw in one of those magazines.” ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-up-a-privacy-fence-might-get-awkward-with-neighbor/686667/45 "2014-04-24T03:54:09Z")
Tell them that you’ve been watching Tim Taylor and its a silly game with your kids to get Wilson to move in next door. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-up-a-privacy-fence-might-get-awkward-with-neighbor/686667/46 "2014-04-24T16:18:31Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I had to get a signed OK from my neighbor before I could get my fence permit. Fences are to be 1.5’ off the property line, unless you want them to connect to the neighbor’s fence, in which case they need to agree. And it’d be totally weird to have a space between fences. > > Anyway, you might HAVE to talk to your neighbor about it, depending on where you want to put it. Check with your city. > > If I didn’t have to…I dunno, I probably would. If I had a good enough relationship with them. Interesting. I live in another part of Ohio. Somehow I doubt any of my neighbors even got a permit, but they all built off of my fence without asking. One even painted my gate to match their site without asking, and their gate was installed in such a way that it was not level with mine and caused mine to move and break. So, from my perspective, talking to a neighbor is probably a good idea. I have 4 neighbors piggy-backing off of my fence and using it for part of theirs. I was the only one with a fence when I moved into my house. Since then, 4 of 6 adjacent neighbors have moved in (most with dogs, making a fence necessary) and built partial fences using mine as up to 1/4. It always seemed not normal to me. Plus, every time there is a strong wind pieces blow down. One of my neighbors had entire sections of their new professionally installed fence blow over. They have never bothered to repair sections that I don’t have access to. I refuse to upgrade my fence partially out of spite (and partly because I’m frugal and don’t want to spend a few grand on a new fence that will probably be worse than the old one), and I don’t want to give 4 of my neighbors an expensive gift. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-up-a-privacy-fence-might-get-awkward-with-neighbor/686667/47 "2014-04-24T16:33:17Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > I have 4 neighbors piggy-backing off of my fence and using it for part of theirs. 😕 Your neighbors erected fence on _your_ property? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-up-a-privacy-fence-might-get-awkward-with-neighbor/686667/48 "2014-04-24T20:18:56Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > 😕 Your neighbors erected fence on _your_ property? No. **actualliberalnotoneofthose** built a fence around their property that is 4 sides. Left-side neighbor built a 3-sided fence and the 4th side happens to be **actualliberalnotoneofthose** ’s fence. Right side and (i’m assuming) 2 back neighbors did the same. When you put up a fence you generally don’t put up 4 sides if someone else’s fence abutts your property. You just use their fence as part of your fence. At least in my civilized Ohio town, you have to get permission to do it 🙂 My right-side neighbor’s fence (the one I got the OK from) is old and rusty as fuck. I need to replace it for both of us since it serves as my right-side fence. But I am just too broke. He’d probably split the cost if I asked, though. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-up-a-privacy-fence-might-get-awkward-with-neighbor/686667/49 "2014-04-24T20:30:28Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > Definitely this. When I bought my current house 3 1/2 years ago, I talked to my neighbor first just so we’d be in agreement about the property line. Also it would be neighborly and proper to build the fence so the finished side faces their property, not yours (assuming you’re going with a standard wood panel fence.) Yes, I agree put the finished side on your neighbor’s side plus get a survey done first and then show the results to your neighbor with the explanation that you just want more privacy for sunbathing or something. Then give him five inches or so for a break on his side of the fence. I know the survey is worth it due to one who didn’t had to move the fence over a few inches. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-up-a-privacy-fence-might-get-awkward-with-neighbor/686667/50 "2014-04-25T12:05:30Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > No. **actualliberalnotoneofthose** built a fence around their property that is 4 sides. Left-side neighbor built a 3-sided fence and the 4th side happens to be **actualliberalnotoneofthose** ’s fence. Right side and (i’m assuming) 2 back neighbors did the same. > > When you put up a fence you generally don’t put up 4 sides if someone else’s fence abutts your property. You just use their fence as part of your fence. OK, I get it. I was assuming actual’s fence was a foot or so back from the property line. Unless there was prior agreement, a neighbor’s fence would be on his property if it met his fence. We have lots of fence surrounding horse pastures, a pond, a paddock, etc but the fenced areas are all on our property. I have seen yards fenced with chain link in a way that each neighbor had their own square with a two foot buffer between properties. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-up-a-privacy-fence-might-get-awkward-with-neighbor/686667.md?page=2)