We have a corner lot and are planning to fence our backyard, which currently has no fence. Both neighbors beside us have agreed to connect their fences to ours. On one side, the connection is straightforward, but the other side is trickier. If we place the fence at our property line, it will obstruct two of our neighbor's windows and create an awkward 5ft space beside their house. If we connect to their existing fence line, we lose a large part of our yard, which isn't ideal since we have kids who love playing outside. I really want to maintain good neighborly relations but am unsure how to balance that with our own needs. Any advice on proper etiquette in this situation would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
I think the best approach is to have a direct conversation with your neighbor about it. They might appreciate the heads-up and could even offer alternatives you hadn’t considered.
If your yard is marked and the new fence is within your property lines, you can definitely put it where it works best for you. You shouldn’t feel obligated to give up your yard just for the sake of etiquette. But it might be nice to give your neighbor a heads-up about where you’re putting it, to keep things friendly.
Sounds like a tough spot! Since you likely won't be using that side yard often, it might make sense to place the fence where it’s most practical for your space. Maybe you can add some landscaping or a path if you decide to go with the alternative fence line. Just keep your neighbor in the loop—they'll probably appreciate it!
Thanks for the advice! I’ll definitely talk to them about what we’re planning.