Spite Fence and Unwritten Law

[cjramey]

Live in Kenova, West Virginia

Our town for close to 100 years has used as unwritten law called line of sight in which to build homes, porches, etc. All houses are aligned to each other in a straight line. Corner houses had to adhere to both side and front line of sights. A neighbor has been arguing with my mother (76) and we still don't know what got it started, but has decided to put up a wooden fence along side our chain link fence to block out our line of sight. It is a spite fence and when law was called up to the neighborhood because he began screaming at mother, the law said they had no law that he couldn't build the fence. When we asked about spite fence, was told we could get an attorney and let them handle it. Neighbor has retorted in front of witness that he plans to be a thorn in mother's side.

We need some help as father died in October of 2010 leaving Mom and rest of family in dire financial straits because of funeral bills, hospital bills, etc.

Please help us in anyway you can.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[154NH773]

If there is no written law, then you probably can't make him adhere to the so-called "line of sight" rule. See what your state or local authorities require in terms of height, building permits, etc, and make sure he is in compliance.

Legally done harassment, while annoying, is unstoppable. Sorry about your mother's circumstances, but there is little you can probably do. Maybe you don't like his fence, but in the scheme of things what does it matter.

Maybe you should investigate what actually got this conflict started, and maybe you can stop it before it escalates further.