Put Up a Fence, But Don’t Build a Wall

Being a good neighbor entails a lot of things – yard upkeep, no crazy loud parties in the middle of the night, and of course, share any plans to add on to your home. Here are the musts of installing a new fence while staying on good terms with the next door neighbors.

OBSERVE BOUNDARIES

Don’t risk having to tear down your new fence by going over your property line. Study your house line drawing or order a new survey from a land surveyor to be sure of where your boundaries end and the neighbor’s begin. Often, your fencing company will install the fence a foot inside the line to stay on the safe side.

RESPECT LIMITS

Fencing companies obtain permits and must know local zoning regulations for height, setbacks and other restrictions. Height limits are typically six feet for side and back yards, and only four feet for front yards. Different rules may apply for corner lots, where a fence could limit driving visibility. In order to avoid any disputes, review these restrictions with your fence company before choosing a fence.

FOLLOW HOA RULES

Fencing companies are not responsible for knowing Home Owners Association dos and don’ts – it is up to you to stay on top of them. Unless you want the committee to come after you, follow the guidelines. They can dictate style, height and maintenance.

Other nice to-dos to keep your neighbors happy:

SHARE YOUR PLANS

No one likes an unexpected surprise. Before installing the fence, have a conversation with the neighbors letting them know what you are planning. If property line issues occur, resolve them before the installation. You don’t need to show the neighbors the design – unless the fence lowers property values or could be dangerous, they have to live with your choice.

PUT THE BEST FACE OUTWARD

It is common to put the more finished side of your fence facing the street and your neighbor’s yard.

MAINTAIN

Once the fence is put in, your work isn’t over. It is your responsibility to keep it clean on both sides and perform regular maintenance.

 

 

Courtesy of House Logic

http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/fences/fence-etiquette/#.