| Cole Porter was not thinking of his neighbor when | | | | (sometimes) the material of the side, front and |
| he composed that song, but he could have been | | | | back fences. Before any heated discussions get |
| as fences can often cause problems between | | | | under way, avoid embarrassment and make sure |
| two otherwise friendly neighbors. | | | | you are within your rights! |
| There are many reasons why we may want to | | | | There is such a thing as applying to your local city |
| build or improve a fence. Of course privacy issues | | | | council/region/locality for a variance. This means |
| are obvious; also there is the problem of the | | | | you want a variation from the normal ruling. It is |
| neighbor's children or dogs over flowing into your | | | | usually only granted for a good reason - and |
| yard. But some people really want to feel safe at | | | | sometimes not even then! Beware involving the |
| home, and having a sturdy fence all around the | | | | city too quickly, they may tell you to cut down |
| property is a good start to security. | | | | your trees -or not to - and get more involved |
| However, your neighbor may like to look out onto | | | | with your property than you would have wished! |
| his yard, and admire the lawn which extends into | | | | Many people try and work a fence into their |
| your yard, giving him a lovely open outlook. Then | | | | landscaping design to minimize the intrusion of the |
| BOOM, up goes a big, long swathe of wood | | | | fence into the green look of Nature. This can be |
| cutting into his rural vision. The feeling of | | | | done by planting trees along the boundary line and |
| spaciousness is reduced by a solid screen of ugly | | | | using them as posts for wire netting. The wire is |
| brown fencing. He may feel the fence is a | | | | then hidden by bushes, shrubs and other foliage. |
| message i.e. keep to yourself. | | | | Always use evergreen bushes as the background |
| New and/or altered fences are often shared | | | | shrub, so that you do not see the fence in the |
| costs in North America, so this neighborly problem | | | | winter when all else has died down. |
| can be avoided by diplomatic discussion about | | | | Another form of fencing (in certain areas) that will |
| cost/choices etc. However, if a small fence is in | | | | harmonize with Nature is the cactus fence. |
| place or preferred by one neighbor who does not | | | | However, this may not be considered too friendly |
| want the expense or lack of view that will change | | | | by your neighbor! The poet Robert Frost told us |
| it, a problem can develop. | | | | that "good fences make good |
| In some other parts of the world, a different | | | | neighbors", but perhaps he should have |
| system may operate. In UK the fence out back | | | | added, 'only if carefully negotiated before |
| to your left is your responsibility. In some Eastern | | | | construction! |
| European countries that had communist regimes, | | | | This article was written for Jerry Clifford. Jerry |
| there was no problem. The fences were pulled | | | | has lived in the Minneapolis real estate area for |
| down to detract from the feeling of having | | | | most of his life and has received the prestigious |
| privacy! | | | | 100% club award for his success in the area. He is |
| Before you have a disagreement with your | | | | certified as an ePRO and prides himself on |
| neighbor, check out your fencing local by-laws. | | | | attention to detail; if you need help in your |
| There are certain rules regarding the height and | | | | Minneapolis MLS listing search, call Jerry now. |