'Some neighbors try to bend rules, but the truth wins': Man tries to sabotage neighbor's fence to expand his yard by filing a bogus property code complaint, ends up getting fined for his own illegal fence instead

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
May 26, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

Oh the joys of homeownership, where even building something on your own property can turn into a bureaucratic nightmare. Whether it's adding a fence, building a shed, or pouring a concrete path, chances are you'll need to jump through a few hoops first. Between zoning ordinances, city inspections, and the ultimate boss battle of HOA approval, it can feel like you need a legal team just to plant a mailbox. But while most of us smile through it and file the dang paperwork, there's always that one neighbor who thinks the rules don't apply to them. 

You know the type, the ones who are quick to call the city over a half-inch fence height violation but mysteriously silent about the cement patio they poured over public utility space. Growing up, my parents built a privacy fence in our backyard because we lived next to a busy road. After the fence was built, the city came in and said half of the fence was legally too tall, so my parents had to hack off the height on a portion of the fence. How does that make sense?

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  • In today’s story, one such neighbor tried to get a family’s fence torn down under the disguise of a property code violation. Unfortunately for him, the city didn’t just reject his complaint, but they turned the spotlight on his own shady fence setup.

  • I live with my mom in a quiet neighborhood. She's the kind of person who waves at everyone and bakes cookies for new neighbors. Harmless, really.
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  • Cheezburger Image 10508960000
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • A few months ago, a guy who just moved in next door decided our side fence "violated property codes." It didn't. It was already there when we bought the house and
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  • had been approved by the city years ago. Still, he filed a complaint. The inspector showed up, checked the paperwork, and confirmed the fence
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  • was 100% legal. No action needed. Neighbor was annoyed. He wanted it down to expand his yard access. So I looked into his property. Turns out, the
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  • gate he installed on the other side of his yard (which he used to access. the alley) cut directly through public utility space and worse, he'd paved part of it.
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  • I sent a detailed complaint to the city, with photos and documentation. No drama, just facts. A month later, the city not only ordered him to
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  • remove the gate, but also fined him for unauthorized pavement over public land. He now has to access his backyard through the front of his house, walking all the way around.
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  • And our fence? Still standing. Perfectly legal. Mom even planted flowers along it. Looks great.
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  • Alone_Midnight5501 I love this for your mom
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  • hockman96 You handled it well with facts. Some neighbors try to bend rules, but the truth wins. Glad the fence stayed and you didn't get dragged into drama.
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  • Cossmiccotton ugh ppl like that rlly act entitled af n then cry when it backfires. like u moved in after the fence In still got the nerve to
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  • start sh ?? good on u for keepin it cool n handling it w receipts, not drama. he played dumb n got smacked by the city instead. hope he enjoys the long walk lol.
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  • 4everalOne So satisfying
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  • Wild_Billy_61 Awesome! We've had a few things like this happen with a former neighbor flipping the house next door. They
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  • tore down the old garage and built a new one. They didn't pay for a property survey and wound up building it over 3ft on their neighbor's property.
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  • Neighbor tried to tell him, but they were not having it, arguing that the free plot app he had on his cell phone was 100% accurate. The end result, after it was finished and sided, his
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  • neighbor got a survey and the flippers were forced to tear down 4ft of the garage and the concrete footing and restructure. The same flippers attempted to install a
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  • second water main on our property that would supply the same garage. When I informed them it wouldn't be happening, he argued that it was his property. This time he paid for a survey to find
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  • it is my property and on top of that, his existing fence and part of his new driveway is on my property. We made him tear out part of the driveway and his fence.
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  • Camp-Select To expand his backyard? He wanted to take over some of your property??? WTH. lol I love your response to this.
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  • LanalsSilly He tried to play petty games and ended up with a longer walk and no shortcut. Mom wins.
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  • krichard-21 Good Lord. What's wrong with people?
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  • He could have just waved and smiled. That's it! Why be a ? BTW, congrats to your Mom!
    via krichard-21

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hoa neighbors lawn entitlement house fence homeowner yard petty revenge entitled people karma violation Bad Neighbor mom parents
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