Lakeside neighbor and HOA VP throws tantrum over man’s simple landscaping plan because it will interrupt his perfect panoramic view: ‘I’m trying to be a respectful neighbor, but it’s my property and allowed by the HOA’

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Etai Eshet • Editor
Nov 6, 2025 7:00 PM EST

Lakeside living apparently comes with a neighbor who thinks a panoramic view is a birthright and that your backyard is his personal television. Mention any plans for privacy and he's camped out waxing poetic about HOA memos from the 80s, all so you don't plant anything taller than his ability to complain. You just want a couple ornamental beds to block the pool and his collection of yard junk. Suddenly, every pitch apple and croton is treated like an act of vandalism on the neighborhood's unwritten code.

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  • Lakeside neighbor is pushing back against my backyard landscaping plan because he looks towards my house to see the lake and my plan will partially block his view

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  • I am considering planting staggered, noncontinuous ornamental landscaping beds strategically placed to provide myself some backyard privacy and because my neighbor has a bunch of broken junk in their backyard I'd rather not look at.
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  • Their view of my backyard will be partially blocked, but the landscaping beds will be installed to block as little of their lake view above my yard as possible.
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  • Overtime as it grows, it will infringe on their view of the lake if they look towards my yard.
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  • Their view of the lake, if they were to look down their own backyard will not be affected.
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  • I am only blocking the "hot spots" so to speak. The pool, and the areas we like to hang out most, and blocking our view of the unmanaged portion of their yard.
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  • For context, my HOA restricts the construction of walls, fencing, hedging, or other dividing structures between lakeside lots.
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  • Because the landscaping I intend to use will not be linear, will not be continuous, and won't be a single plant variety hedged to look like a dividing wall, I am in the clear as far as the HOA rules allow.
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  • This is considered ornamental landscaping and still allows for my neighbor to see between the beds, and above the landscaping into the lake.
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  • It's also worth mentioning these HOA rules were made in 1986 and since then multiple neighbors have broken this rule to an extent.
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  • I made my neighbor aware of my plans and now my neighbor is constantly reminding me not to block their view of the lake, as it is "not allowed".
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  • I believe he means it's an unspoken rule to not block your neighbors lake view. They've been here 9 years and I just moved in.
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  • First, the landscaping will initially be 4-5 feet which will not block their view of the lake through my backyard.
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  • Eventually it will grow higher, and I will trim it, but I don't plan on making it a priority to constantly trim my landscaping so that my neighbor can look into my backyard and into the lake.
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  • Realistically, the landscaping will stay consistently ~6 feet which will block a portion of their lake view through my backyard from certain angles, but by no means will it completely block their lake view.
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  • Second, the only portion of their lake view at risk is the portion they see when they look towards my house.
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  • If they were to look through their backyard they would still have a view of the lake.
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  • I think they want to preserve the panoramic view they get when they look out from their backyard, but I want the privacy for me and my guests when we are using my backyard, and I don't want to see their broken boat, broken dock, de d trees, and stacked paver rocks in my panoramic view.
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  • Third, the types of landscaping I'm using were chosen in consideration of their view. For example, I'm not using big banana trees, travelers palms, or birds of paradise, I'm going to primarily use pitch apples (4-5ft), crotons (2-3ft), and petunias (0-1ft).
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  • I'm trying to be a respectful neighbor and modify my plans to abide by their "unspoken rule", but it's ultimately my property and allowed by the HOA.
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  • Thoughts? Thank you!
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  • Jazzlike_Adeptness_1 How does the HOA feel about the bunch of broken junk in their backyard?
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  • OP A_Curious_Stoic He's the VP and the HOA is so hands off with rules not updated since 1986. The only rules he mentioned about my plan is the "unspoken rule" don't block your neighbors view. I want to meet him in the middle - give myself privacy and allow for his view of the lake, but it WILL eventually grow to block his lake views through my yard. How often I trim it for him is TBD
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  • Donny Bravo21 Tell him you'll only consider not obstructing his view if he cleans up the junk. You have leverage, try to use it
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  • OP A_Curious_Stoic I know I have that in my back pocket. But I think using it against him would create an enemy, which I'm trying to avoid.
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  • OneLessDay517 I doubt he can claim a right to a view across your property, particularly since he still has a lake view, just through his own property.
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  • OP A_Curious_Stoic Yeah I think I'm in the clear concerning what is "allowed". I'm just worried I will get in my neighbors bad side
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  • sam8988378 Is there anyone else in your HOA- ruled community who's tired of this guy? Run for his job.
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  • OP A_Curious_Stoic He really is a nice guy, which is why I don't want to be a j . The HOA is very hands off so nobody is really paying attention enough to see his yard, complain, or vote on anything. It's barely an HOA, again, current bylaws were made in 1986... but he is the VP and says don't worry about submitting a request to do your landscaping, as long as it doesn't block his view of the lake.
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  • Oops FriesBeforeGuys I totally get wanting to block out the junk-my old neighbor had a tower of garden gnomes, so I feel your pain. Sounds like you've actually been really considerate, especially picking shorter plants like pitch apples and crotons. If your HOA says it's cool and you're not building a green fortress, you're probably in the clear. Honestly, who stares through someone else's yard instead of just enjoying their own view? Ever wish the HOA would update those ancient rules?
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  • OP A_Curious_Stoic Yes I do! In his defense, I live in the corner lot, so while he does have a lake view, mine is much more expansive. Wish I could share a photo. But still, I think I'm in the clear, just trying not to ruffle feathers
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  • Tassle 15 NTJ but do you really want your neighbor to be mad at you? Hoa rules that's fine. I just don't like having enemies especially next door ones.
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  • OP A_Curious_Stoic Exactly my thoughts. I'm trying to meet him in the middle - plant something that still allows for him to look towards my yard to see the lake, but just high enough so that he can't see my yard. It will eventually grow tall enough and block a part of his lake view, how often I trim it for him is to be determined.
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  • Tassle 15 Maybe show him pictures and plans. Then explain that this is just to help with privacy. I don't know seems like they don't want you to do anything. You don't even feel comfortable telling him the root cause which is his mess. I'm surprised Hoa hasn't said anything about a broken boat.
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  • OP A_Curious_Stoic I showed him pictures last week, haven't heard from him since. He's retired. I'm going to give him a month. If no comment, I'm going to start landscaping. He will currently knock on my door and say how close it is to his property or how it blocks his lake view at certain angles... I feel r de saying "well I'm not breaking any rules so deal with it"
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  • Weekly Mycologist883 YTJ You are violating the spirit of the rules to not allow anyone's view to be blocked. You must have known about the HOA and the neighbors' yard when you moved in.
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  • OP A_Curious_Stoic I did not know my neighbors or my HOA prior to moving in. And I definitely didn't know about any unspoken rules amongst the neighborhood before moving into the neighborhood. But thank you for your input
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  • That_Ol_Cat Check your HOA bylaws carefully. If you already have HOA approval, jut respond to him with "It's all per the rules, don't worry." He has his own view of the lake, he's not entitled to your view as well. Especially since he's spoiling everyone's view through his yard.
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  • Your landscaping isn’t a fortress, just a strategic attempt at not having to stare at tired trees and a boat graveyard. You keep it tidy, keep it legal, and still the drama rolls in every time he imagines the lake slipping out of sight. For nine years, he didn’t bother upgrading his backyard, but the moment your petunias threaten an inch of his wide-angle lake shot, it’s war on greenery.

  • Some people cling harder to their “right” to see water through your property than they do to actual rules or common courtesy. You negotiate, you compromise, and meanwhile, his boat sinks a little deeper and your patience wears thin. Privacy shouldn’t be a group project. Let him keep his view of the lake through his own mess. Your crotons aren’t a blockade; they’re just the newest reason to enjoy your space with a smug sip by the pool.

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hoa neighbors neighborhood neighborhood-drama bad neighbors petty revenge terrible neighbors pay back noise noisy loud payback parking entitled people apartment
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