My neighbor just started building an addition to their house, and it's literally like 2 feet from our shared fence. I mean, I get wanting more space, but this feels way too close for comfort. Aren't there rules about how close you can build to property lines? I'm kinda worried about privacy and also if this could affect my property value down the line. Has anyone dealt with something similar or know what the usual guidelines are?
Most places do have setback rules, but you'd be surprised how much they vary. I've seen some towns allow additions super close if it's just a single-story or something small like a sunroom. Could it be something like that? Also, sometimes neighbors get special permits or variances, especially if they talked to zoning beforehand. Might be worth a quick chat with your local building department just to double-check the specifics...could save you stress in the long run.
Could be a variance, sure, but honestly those aren't handed out as casually as people think. I've seen neighbors assume they're good to go after a quick chat with zoning, only to get hit with stop-work orders later. Better safe than sorry...
Yeah, zoning can get tricky fast... Has anyone actually checked if there's an easement running along that fence line? When we bought our historic place, turns out there was a 5-foot utility easement we didn't even know existed—gotta say, that changed our landscaping plans pretty quick. Maybe your neighbor missed something similar? Could be worth double-checking your property's paperwork just to be safe.
