Neighbor law : fences, trees, boundaries & noise

An easy-to-read guide on laws concerning common neighbor disputes

Is the noise from next door keeping you up at night? Is the view from your backyard being obstructed? Is a neighboring business driving you crazy? Your home is important to you and your neighbors aren't going anywhere -- Neighbor Law can help you deal with difficult situations and keep your home life peaceful.

Learn your rights and responsibilities with thisnbsp; clear-cut, comprehensive guide to the laws concerning common neighbor disputes. Learn your state's rules on:

- fences
- trees and other greenery that crosses the property line
- boundaries
- blocked views
- noise
- water runoff and flooding
- interference from nearby businesses
- dangers to children (""attractive nuisances"")
- ...and more!

In plain English, Neighbor Law explains how to find applicable laws and resolve disputes without going to court, whenever possible. And, if you must go to small claims court, you'll find all the information and stragegies you need.

This edition is completely revised and provides new sample letters for engaging a neighbor over a dispute, and includes expanded information on mediation and dispute resolution. Plus, read new material on how to build community and prevent disputes.

• Introduction: Neighbors and Legal Questions p. 1
• 1 Tackling a Neighbor Problem p. 5
• Get Prepared p. 6
• Approach the Neighbor p. 15
• Turn to the Authorities for Help p. 20
• Try Mediation p. 21
• Take the Neighbor to Court p. 21
• 2 Noise p. 25
• Laws Against Noise p. 26
• What to Do p. 36
• 3 When a Tree Is Injured or Destroyed p. 43
• Who Owns a Tree? p. 45
• An Owner's Rights When a Tree Is Damaged p. 45
• What the Tree Owner Can Sue For p. 46
• Criminal Penalties p. 54
• What to Do If a Neighbor Damages Your Tree p. 55
• Preventing Damage p. 61
• 4 Encroachment: Invading Branches and Roots p. 65
• Looking for Help p. 66
• Trimming a Neighbor's Tree: The Right of Self-Help p. 69
• When a Neighbor Can Sue p. 73
• Going to Court p. 76
• 5 Unsound Limbs and Trees p. 79
• Getting Help From the City Government p. 80
• Trimming a Neighbor's Tree: The Right of Self-Help p. 82
• Ask the Owner to Trim the Tree p. 83
• Suing to Prevent Damage p. 85
• Homeowners' Insurance p. 85
• After Damage From an Unsound Tree p. 87
• 6 Boundary Trees p. 95
• Ownership p. 96
• Co-Owners' Responsibilities p. 99
• Damage to or Removal of a Boundary Tree p. 104
• 7 Fruit and Nuts: Who Owns What? p. 113
• Who Owns the Tree? p. 114
• Fruit That Has Fallen p. 117
• Avoiding Problems p. 118
• 8 Obstruction of View p. 121
• The Basic Rule: No Right to a View p. 123
• View Ordinances p. 124
• Subdivision Rules That Protect Views p. 129
• Other Laws That May Protect Views p. 133
• Views That Are Not Legally Protected p. 137
• Avoiding View Problems p. 140
• 9 Boundary Lines p. 143
• Settling Uncertain Boundary Lines p. 144
• When a Neighbor Doesn't Honor the Boundary p. 154
• 10 Using Another's Land: Trespass and Easements p. 157
• Trespassers Who Become Owners p. 158
• Easements p. 166
• 11 Fences p. 177
• Rural Areas: Fencing Livestock In or Out p. 178
• Urban Fences p. 180
• Property Line (Boundary) Fences p. 188
• Disputes Over Boundaries p. 198
• Sharing a Fence That Is Not on the Boundary p. 200
• 12 Spite Fences p. 203
• General Restrictions on Fence Height p. 204
• What Is a Spite Fence? p. 205
• Negotiating With the Neighbor p. 208
• Going to Court p. 208
• 13 Dangers to Children: Attractive Nuisances p. 221
• The Attractive Nuisance Doctrine p. 222
• Taking Necessary Precautions p. 226
• Seeking Legal Help p. 228
• 14 Rural Neighbors and the Right to Farm p. 231
• Ordinary Nuisance Rules p. 232
• Right-to-Farm Laws p. 233
• What Neighbors Can Do p. 235
• 15 Water p. 241
• When the Neighbor Is Liable for Damage p. 243
• When the Neighbor May Not Be Liable for Damage p. 247
• What the Neighbor at Fault Must Pay For p. 251
• What to Do If You Suffer Water Damage p. 252
• Rights to Water p. 257
• 16 When Your Neighbor Is a Business p. 263
• Zoning Laws p. 265
• Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions p. 268
• Home-Based Businesses p. 269
• Other Laws Protecting You and Your Property p. 272
• Expect a Compromise p. 277
• What to Do When the Law Favors You p. 278
• When the Law Favors the Business p. 283
• 17 Other Common Neighbor Issues p. 287
• Blighted Property p. 288
• Weeds, Rubbish, and Garbage p. 289
• Loud and Offensive Language p. 289
• Drug Dealers p. 290
• Registered Sex Offenders (Megan's Law) p. 291
• Animal Problems p. 292
• Secondhand Smoke p. 294
• Vehicles p. 297
• Outdoor Lights p. 298
• 18 Legal Research p. 299
• Local Laws p. 300
• State Statutes p. 302
• Case Law p. 308
• 19 Mediation p. 317
• What Is Mediation? p. 318
• How to Find a Mediator p. 319
• How Mediation Works p. 320
• 20 Small Claims Court p. 325
• What Is Small Claims Court? p. 326
• Preparing for Small Claims Court p. 328
• How Small Claims Court Works p. 329
• Appendixes
• A State Statutes on Injury to Trees p. 333
• How Much an Owner Can Sue For p. 334
• Fines or Jail Sentences for Damaging a Tree p. 335
• B State Statutes on Private Nuisance p. 337
• Common Law Definition p. 338
• Conduct or Condition Must Be Unlawful or Unreasonable p. 339
• C Boundary Fence Statutes p. 341
• D Adverse Possession Statutes p. 345
• E Right-to-Farm Statutes p. 349
• Index p. 353