Neighbors Fence

We built a house 3 years ago on a cul-de-sac. When we built the corner lot to the right of us was still vacant. After we finish the house the builder that owned the lot on the corner cleared the land and started building a home there. When the builder went to sell the home, he was having a difficult time, because the back yard of this house was backed up to our front yard and was very awkward, not much of a backyard. It took the builder a good 5-6 months to sell the home and when he did the new buyers put a condition that they wanted the backyard fenced, which happened to be our front yard. We argued with the builder that he could not put a fence in our front yard, especially because the new owners wanted the fence to be place 20 feet past their house on the side lot, which would look totally ridiculous. They claimed they needed the extra footage for the dog, so she could have a bigger yard to run in. We told them no way! we would not allow this fence and had a few choice words with the builder and the new owner. The new owner made a compromise with us and said he would angle the fence at our magnolia tree instead of bring it straight out and that we could paint it any color we wanted to, he didn't care just as long as he got his fence. Also him and his wife said that they would plant bushes and landscape it nicely so we wouldn't even notice the fence. (That hasn't happened) We agreed and they put it up with the angle. It has been 2 years and we still hate the fence. So we tried making our side of the fence, which is in our front yard look better, by planting palm trees in front of it. (We are talking about at least 60 feet of fence we are trying to cover.) I also put a small screw in one of the fence posts to hang a terra cotta thermometer on it to make the fence more decorative. Just 2 days ago, I asked my neighbor if he would mind that I screw a small 6 inch hook into the fence post so I could hang my hose on it (at my husbands request that I ask) and he told my husband, no , that he didn't want the hose hanging there, that it would make a stain on the fence. (this would be on our side and not even where anyone could see it) He had a power trip and said NO.(I guess in 2 years his view on the fence has changed and he has forgotten everything that was said when the fence was going up (guess we should of had it in writing), it is now his fence and we cannot paint it any color either) (Also he had just stated to us the day before this whole thing happened that he was not happy with the piece of crap fence, it was falling down, the boards are popping everywhere on his side.) This is the irony of the thing. This fence is on the property line that splits our two properties. I don't know much about fence law, but was wondering if it is a shared property line and the side that is on my side, would that make it my side of the fence to do as I pleased?(such as beautifying it) Or does he have every right as to tell me that I cannot touch that fence, what so ever! (This fence also leans over the property line at the top of the fence due to a hurricane pushing it there and has never been straightened) Let me know what anyone thinks we should do

Fence laws are specific to each State. Sometimes the fence on a property line becomes a community fence. Do some internet browsing looking for fence laws for your State and “good neighbor fences”. Also, contact your local Planning department and ask them about local fence ordinances. They’re probably the best resource for finding out what you can and can not do.