Can I prevent construction on neighbor's property?

[gkisystems]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Wisconsin.

My home sits on a lot at the top of a hill that has great views of the surronding area. Just this morning, a surveyor was on my neighbor's property taking measurements and sticking orange flags in the ground along the lot line. I'm concerned that the neighbor may be building something that drastically decreases the value of my property by blocking the views.

What legal recourse do I have, if any?

 

[Mass_Shyster]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Wisconsin.

My home sits on a lot at the top of a hill that has great views of the surronding area. Just this morning, a surveyor was on my neighbor's property taking measurements and sticking orange flags in the ground along the lot line. I'm concerned that the neighbor may be building something that drastically decreases the value of my property by blocking the views.

What legal recourse do I have, if any?

You could offer to buy the lot, or the building rights to the lot.

 

[gkisystems]

You could offer to buy the lot, or the building rights to the lot.

The lot already has a house (neighbor's) sitting on it. Perhaps I could purchase air rights?

 

[tranquility]

While you could purchase "air" rights, you would need to see an attorney as it would not be an easy deed to write. Otherwise, the rule is one does not have a right to a view.

 

[154NH773]

The lot already has a house (neighbor's) sitting on it.

If the property has a house on it already, what do you think he is planning? Maybe you should ask him.

You can look into your local zoning ordinance and see what the setbacks and height restrictions are, and check with the local building department to see if he has applied for a building permit (if he did, it should be posted where you can see it).

If your neighbor is planning on building something that will require a variance, you may be able to claim a detrimental effect on your property and block the variance. You will probably receive notification of a hearing if that is the case.

You may be able to purchase a "view easement" from him. You would need an attorney to draw it up.

 

[gkisystems]

If the property has a house on it already, what do you think he is planning? Maybe you should ask him.

You can look into your local zoning ordinance and see what the setbacks and height restrictions are, and check with the local building department to see if he has applied for a building permit (if he did, it should be posted where you can see it).

If your neighbor is planning on building something that will require a variance, you may be able to claim a detrimental effect on your property and block the variance. You will probably receive notification of a hearing if that is the case.

You may be able to purchase a "view easement" from him. You would need an attorney to draw it up.

If I had to guess, he may be thinking about building something like a fence or planting a row of trees. Perhaps he just wants to build a shed. However, the area where the guy was taking measurements this morning would be in an area that would block my view if something were to be built there.

I know there is nothing stopping me from trying to work out a friendly agreement, but I'm more interested in knowing if there is some sort of brute force method I can use to say he can't do something...as a last resort...in case he doesn't care about my opinion/requests.

 

[Antigone*]

If I had to guess, he may be thinking about building something like a fence or planting a row of trees. Perhaps he just wants to build a shed. However, the area where the guy was taking measurements this morning would be in an area that would block my view if something were to be built there.

I know there is nothing stopping me from trying to work out a friendly agreement, but I'm more interested in knowing if there is some sort of brute force method I can use to say he can't do something...as a last resort...in case he doesn't care about my opinion/requests.

What's that old addage...you catch more bees with honey.

what ever happened to being neighborly!!!

 

[drewguy]

but I'm more interested in knowing if there is some sort of brute force method I can use to say he can't do something...as a last resort...in case he doesn't care about my opinion/requests.

Not in a country that respects property rights. Sorry.

 

[HomeGuru]

I know there is nothing stopping me from trying to work out a friendly agreement, but I'm more interested in knowing if there is some sort of brute force method I can use to say he can't do something...as a last resort...in case he doesn't care about my opinion/requests.

**A: you have been watching too many Godfather reruns.