Disputes Between Neighbors: Your State Laws

If you've got a legal question, you need to get a state-specific answer

Boundaries and Neighbors FAQ

Questions My neighbor and I don't want to pay a surveyor. Can we just agree where the boundary is? What can I do if a neighbor starts using my property? How can I find the exact boundaries of my property? My neighbor and I don't want to pay a surveyor. Can we just agree where the boundary is? You and

Can I build a tall fence to put some distance between my crazy neighbor and me?

Question I really dislike my neighbor. I don’t want him to be able to look onto my yard, come onto my property, or interact with me in any way. I’d like to construct a tall fence to keep him away, but I’ve heard that there are laws against “spite fences.” Would it be illegal to build a fence

Fences and Neighbors FAQ

Questions My neighbor is building a fence that violates the local fence law. How can I get the law enforced? My neighbor's fence is hideous. Can I do anything about it? The fence on the line between my land and my neighbor's is in bad shape. Can I fix it? What is a boundary fence? Who is responsible

How can I protect my property boundary lines when my neighbor wants to build a fence?

My neighbor recently built a wire fence, with my permission, about three feet on my property line in order to go around some trees. The fence goes about 500 feet. Someone told me in seven years the property will belong to my neighbor. Is this true?

My Fence Isn't Located on the Property Line and My Neighbor Is Using My Property: What Should I Do?

Question I recently constructed a new fence around my property. It wasn’t practical to place the fence entirely on the property line, because a portion of my property is very steep.

How Do I Stop My Neighbor From Building a Front Yard Fence?

Looking at whether local laws or regulations prohibit, or at least place restrictions on, building a front yard fence.

Neighbor Built Fence Over the Property Line. Does He Now Own That Land?

Question A few years ago, my neighbors built a wooden fence around their home. I have a great relationship with my neighbors.

What's a Spite Fence and What Can I Do About the One My Neighbors Built?

Most neighbors are kind, normal people. But every now and then, you’ll have a truly terrible experience with a neighbor who, for whatever reason, has come to despise you. These neighbors may express their feelings in all sorts of ways – including building “spite fences.” Spite fences are fences

My neighbor's fence is really ugly. Can I make him take it down?

Question We live in a beautiful neighborhood, where each resident puts a great deal of thought and effort into the appearance of their home. Most houses have nice white picket fences around them; some are elegant pine stakes; others are charming lattice birch. One neighbor, though, has put up a hideous

Construction next door is eroding the foundations of my fence. What can I do?

The neighbors behind me recently dug a driveway three feet below my property, right up to my fence. The fence is teetering on a ledge over their driveway. If the dirt under the fence erodes and the fence falls over, is my neighbor responsible for fixing the fence? Also, if a child climbs the fence and gets hurt, who is liable?

Must my neighbor pay for the damage he's caused to my fence?

My next door neighbor and I share a common backyard chain link fence. I paid for it more than 10 years ago, before he moved in. He repeatedly places wet rugs, towels, etc., across the top rail of the fence. It is beginning to rust in those areas. The neighbor is uncooperative. May I remove and discard the rugs -- or at least cut away and discard the portion hanging in my yard?

Barking Dogs: State and Local Laws That Can Help

If a barking dog problem in your neighborhood doesn't improve after your efforts to work something out, it's time to check your local laws and see what your legal options are. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be better prepared to approach your neighbor again or go to animal control authorities, the

How Many Dogs Can You Keep?

In rural areas, how many dogs you keep is pretty much your own business, as long as the dogs aren't a nuisance to the neighbors. But many cities now restrict the number of dogs per household to just two or three. The rules usually apply to adult dogs and don't count puppies that are less than a certain

How Mediation Can Help With a Barking Dog Problem

If talking to your neighbor about a barking dog problem  doesn't work, or you're convinced it's hopeless, consider getting some help from a mediator.

Barking Dogs: Suing for Nuisance in Small Claims Court

If neighbors won't keep their dog quiet, as a last resort you can sue in small claims court.

Lost and Found Dogs

If a dog turns up on your doorstep, you are not free to decide that "finders are keepers" and do whatever you want with it.

How Animal Control Authorities Can Help a Barking Dog Problem

Got a barking dog in your neighborhood? If your efforts at working something out with your dog-owning neighbor haven't succeeded, talk to the animal control department in your city or county. The people there are likely to be more receptive than the police or other municipal officials. When you call,

Dog Licenses

Whether you live in the city or the country, you are required by law to get a license for your dog. And it's important to remember that almost all laws require not only that you buy a license every year, but also that you keep the license tag on your dog at all times. The tag is often the only way animal

Does Homeowners' Insurance Cover Attacks by Neighbors and Dogs?

A neighbor's dog came into my yard and attacked our dog. We yelled at him to come get the dog, and he said: "If you touch my dog, I'll kill you." I grabbed his dog and pulled it away; then the neighbor attacked me, causing  serious injury. Does his homeowner's insurance cover my injuries? The dog also bit my wife.

My neighbor shot my dog for trespassing. What can I do?

My dog was on my next door neighbor's property, so he shot her, and later that day we had to put her to sleep. Is there anything we can do?

Talking to Neighbors Who Have a Barking Dog

There is no such thing as a difficult dog, only an inexperienced owner. —Barbara Woodhouse, No Bad Dogs

Is It Legal for Dogs to Swim in the Condo Pool?

We live in condo that's in a gated community, run by a homeowners' association.

Dogs in Vehicles

We've all seen dogs riding in the back of pickup trucks as the trucks fly down the highway. The dogs look to be having fun, but by living in the fast lane they risk injury from flying objects. Eye injuries are common, but there is an even greater danger: according to a California state legislator, approximately

Easements: Overview

An easement is a legal right to use someone else’s land for a particular purpose. For example, the municipal water company may have an easement to run water pipes under your property.

To grant my neighbor a license or easement, do I need an attorney?

My neighbor and I are good friends, and just recently moved into the neighborhood at the same time. She has a big family with several young children, and a big sports utility vehicle.

How do I allocate costs of repaving driveway between my two neighbors with easements to use it?

Question Because of the configuration of our properties, my two neighbors have easements to use my driveway. I bought the house knowing that this was the case. However, with all the traffic along my driveway, the road is getting a bit torn up and needs to be repaved. Must I bear the costs of repaving

How do I convince my neighbor to give me a solar easement?

Question I want to install large solar panels on my roof. Before I make that investment, I need to make sure that I’ll have continuous access to sunlight. To do this, I mentioned to my neighbor the idea of his granting me an easement to ensure that he’d never build a tall fence or plant a tree to

Putting in Solar Power? You May Need Solar Access Easements From Neighbors

In the face of rising utility bills in a tough economy, many homeowners are considering solar power. Although solar panels can cost tens of thousands of dollars, various state and federal tax credits can lower the cost significantly. And despite the large up-front investment, panels have been shown

My neighbor wants me to give him a solar easement. Should I?

Question My neighbor is interested in buying huge solar panels to stick on his roof. Before he does this, he wants me to grant him a solar easement – essentially a promise that I’ll never block the sunlight that hits those panels. Should I give him an easement? Answer As a homeowner, you’re certainly

Putting in a pool - can we get rid of our neighbor's easement to cross our property?

Question I am planning to install a pool in my backyard. Unfortunately, my neighbor has an easement across my property and the trail my neighbor uses goes right across the spot I want to put the pool. Can I get rid of the easement? Answer You didn't mention how you know about the easement, including

How do I grant an easement that's temporary, and only for one person?

Question The owner of a vacant lot next to mine is building a new home. She has asked whether I will grant her an “easement” to use my driveway instead of building her own. While it is possible to construct a new driveway on her property, our lots are located on a rocky hill, so constructing a new

Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees, Boundaries & Noise

Issues with the neighbors? Learn your rights -- and responsibilities -- with Neighbor Law, Nolo's comprehensive guide to the laws concerning common neighbor disputes.

Every Dog's Legal Guide: A Must-Have Book for Your Owner

The nose-to-tail guide to barking, biting, leash laws, traveling regulations and more.

Boundaries and Neighbors FAQ

Questions My neighbor and I don't want to pay a surveyor. Can we just agree where the boundary is? What can I do if a neighbor starts using my property? How can I find the exact boundaries of my property? My neighbor and I don't want to pay a surveyor. Can we just agree where the boundary is? You and

Easements: Overview

An easement is a legal right to use someone else’s land for a particular purpose. For example, the municipal water company may have an easement to run water pipes under your property.

Does Homeowners' Insurance Cover Attacks by Neighbors and Dogs?

A neighbor's dog came into my yard and attacked our dog. We yelled at him to come get the dog, and he said: "If you touch my dog, I'll kill you." I grabbed his dog and pulled it away; then the neighbor attacked me, causing  serious injury. Does his homeowner's insurance cover my injuries? The dog also bit my wife.

Leash Laws

Whatever may be said about the affection which mankind has for a faithful companion, modern city conditions no longer permit dogs to run at large. —California Court of Appeal Long gone from most of America are the days when you could answer a longing whine from your dog by opening the back door and