S
scvhomeowner
Guest
What is the name of your state? California
I am a home owner in the Santa Clarita Valley. I would like to replace my wooden fence in the backyard with a block wall. This is due to the previous wood fence bowing in and deteriorating on the South wall. The tree root from the South side neighbor caused the fence to lift up and bow in as well as lift up portions of my concrete. This is a hazard as well because it is bowed in so much as poses a risk especially to my 2 children.
The East and West side wall neighbors have no problem with me replacing the wood fence with a block wall. The South side neighbor is selling their house which is currently in escrow. I wrote the neighbor telling him I was going to replace the wooden fence because of the hazard and asked if he would share the cost. He informed me that they could not help pay for anything as the house was in escrow. He also stated that I could not do anything to the fence as it was in escrow. I told him that I have no problem if they can’t help pay for it but I am going forward with the fence. I checked with a real estate friend and he told me that I could replace the fence regardless of the escrow.
Here are the questions concerning the neighbors:
Do I have to wait for their escrow to close before I build the block wall on the South side?
Do I have to wait and talk to the new owner of the house?
I am having a family member’s construction company do the work at cost only with no mark up and it will be done up to code. Here are the questions concerning surveys and permits:
If all the neighbors agree to the block wall being put in do I need to have a survey done?
Is a survey needed as part of a permit?
Do I need to file a permit?
If I build the wall up to code and document it with photographs, video, documentation, etc. but don’t file a permit what are the penalties?
Some people I talk to say you need a permit and some say you don't. I don't know the law out here.
I am a home owner in the Santa Clarita Valley. I would like to replace my wooden fence in the backyard with a block wall. This is due to the previous wood fence bowing in and deteriorating on the South wall. The tree root from the South side neighbor caused the fence to lift up and bow in as well as lift up portions of my concrete. This is a hazard as well because it is bowed in so much as poses a risk especially to my 2 children.
The East and West side wall neighbors have no problem with me replacing the wood fence with a block wall. The South side neighbor is selling their house which is currently in escrow. I wrote the neighbor telling him I was going to replace the wooden fence because of the hazard and asked if he would share the cost. He informed me that they could not help pay for anything as the house was in escrow. He also stated that I could not do anything to the fence as it was in escrow. I told him that I have no problem if they can’t help pay for it but I am going forward with the fence. I checked with a real estate friend and he told me that I could replace the fence regardless of the escrow.
Here are the questions concerning the neighbors:
Do I have to wait for their escrow to close before I build the block wall on the South side?
Do I have to wait and talk to the new owner of the house?
I am having a family member’s construction company do the work at cost only with no mark up and it will be done up to code. Here are the questions concerning surveys and permits:
If all the neighbors agree to the block wall being put in do I need to have a survey done?
Is a survey needed as part of a permit?
Do I need to file a permit?
If I build the wall up to code and document it with photographs, video, documentation, etc. but don’t file a permit what are the penalties?
Some people I talk to say you need a permit and some say you don't. I don't know the law out here.