Published on December 30, 2024
Neighbor nuisances are often unintentional. The person next door may not realize that a habit or action is negatively impacting you. The same could be true for you, too! Take a look at these common sources of frustration and see if there are any behaviors you could change to be a better neighbor. If your neighbor is guilty of any of these, a friendly heads-up could help resolve the issue.
Never leave pet food or water out overnight or for long periods of time. It can attract opossums, raccoons and other wildlife. Leaving food out for stray or feral cats can have negative impacts on your neighborhood and other animals.
Is your dog friendly and often off-leash in your own yard or while walking near you? Even a typically happy dog can become aggressive toward other people or pets walking on a leash. Even if your dog is nice, other people or animals may be scared of dogs. Keep your dogs leashed or inside a fenced area.
It’s a good idea to check your fence from time to time to ensure that it will keep your dogs in. Dogs tend to dig under the fence or find small openings to escape.
If you know your neighbor and their dog or cat, you’re more likely to recognize the animal and help it get back home if it’s loose.
Be sure to clean up and properly dispose of animal waste, even in your own yard. During the summer months, the odor can travel. Pet waste contains bacteria that can also become a health hazard and is harmful to water quality. We suggest you clean up your own yard at least weekly, if not more. If you don’t have the time or ability to do regular pickup, there are many pet waste cleanup services in the area.
Inoperable vehicles must be parked in an enclosed garage or other building. You cannot park an inoperable vehicle in a driveway or on a road. They can be towed from the street.
If you have a boat, motorhome or RV, you can only park in your driveway for up to four days a month. You need to get a Temporary Parking Permit to park longer than that.
Parking your vehicle in certain areas is a ticketable offense. Don’t block neighbor’s mailboxes or driveways or park on the grass.
Do you have a sump pump? Make sure your discharge location slopes away from your house while taking your neighbors into consideration. By City Code, your sump pump cannot be within 4 feet of the property line. Sump pumps that discharge over sidewalks can also make the path slippery and hazardous for neighbors walking by.
Water runs downhill and is a common problem for everyone. Any change you make to the topography of your yard — including installing a fence, shed, playground equipment or landscaping — can change the way water runs off your property. It isn’t illegal for water to run onto a neighbor’s property, but it’s always a good idea to work with your neighbor to solve and prevent drainage problems.
Swales look like shallow ditches running through your yard, often along a back lot line or between homes. They’re designed to carry water during the heaviest rain events. Don’t block swales with construction or landscaping, which could cause drainage issues in your yard or next door.
Keep common larvae habitats like bird baths and pet water bowls fresh or empty when not in use to keep the mosquito population down.
When it’s time to drain your pool for the season, make sure the water is draining at the right speed and in the right direction. Don’t let it flow onto a neighbor’s property.