Neighbor built a poorly constructed, ugly and illegal wall

[chorchie]

Hi, I don't know that this is a legal issue as much as it is a "how do I proceed" issue. Our property has a slope at the back of our yard. On top of the slope is our neighbor's backyard. They just completed a very ugly block wall. Not only is it ugly, but it is very poorly constructed (blocks without mortar, uneven, etc) but I also found out that it is unpermitted on illegally graded soil with illegal railroad tie retaining walls. I spoke with the inspector who said he could certainly go and make the neighbors remove it, but not sure how I should proceed.

I guess I have 3 options.

First, I could simply report the wall so that the city instructs them to remove the wall.

Second, I could go up there and explain that since they built an ugly wall that is an eyesore in our yard, I would like them to split the cost of planting shrubbery in front of it to obscure the view of the wall.

Third, I could ask them to remove or rebuild the wall or let them know that I will contact the city.

I don't want to have an enemy up the hill, but I also hate this wall. I am not sure if it is a safety issue, but based on the look of the wall, I can't imagine that it would withstand an LA earthquake very well.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!!

 

[Shadowbunny]

Hi, I don't know that this is a legal issue as much as it is a "how do I proceed" issue. Our property has a slope at the back of our yard. On top of the slope is our neighbor's backyard. They just completed a very ugly block wall. Not only is it ugly, but it is very poorly constructed (blocks without mortar, uneven, etc) but I also found out that it is unpermitted on illegally graded soil with illegal railroad tie retaining walls. I spoke with the inspector who said he could certainly go and make the neighbors remove it, but not sure how I should proceed.

I guess I have 3 options.

First, I could simply report the wall so that the city instructs them to remove the wall.

Second, I could go up there and explain that since they built an ugly wall that is an eyesore in our yard, I would like them to split the cost of planting shrubbery in front of it to obscure the view of the wall.

Third, I could ask them to remove or rebuild the wall or let them know that I will contact the city.

I don't want to have an enemy up the hill, but I also hate this wall. I am not sure if it is a safety issue, but based on the look of the wall, I can't imagine that it would withstand an LA earthquake very well.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!!

Is this in the US? If so, please give us your state.

 

[chorchie]

Is this in the US? If so, please give us your state.

Sorry, yes...this is in CA. Thanks!!

 

[HRZ]

Ugly is not a legal point...but an improper block wall of unsafe construction on improperly graded soil held in place by " railroad ties" is one big safety factor unwise to overlook and not rendered safe by a few shrubs

I have seen some pretty well constructed retaining walls using treated timbers...no clue if your wall is well constructed...so far no clues in favor of good construction methods. I doubt you are a construction engineer

I think you and your family might sleep better if you err on side of safety and have City inspector address it.

 

[adjusterjack]

Agree.

Call the city and make sure he gets cited and removes it and/or builds it properly.

Don't try the other stuff. It'll only make things worse.

 

[chorchie]

...no clue if your wall is well constructed...so far no clues in favor of good construction methods. I doubt you are a construction engineer

Hi HRZ and adjusterjack,

Very true - I am not a construction engineer and I truly appreciate your input. Here are some photos of the side of the wall that faces my property. I can't add the photos to this post, so I have an album here:

[deleted]

Any thoughts on the construction of the wall?

Thank you again for all your help.

 

[adjusterjack]

I feel your pain.

Let the city inspector do his job.

 

[Shadowbunny]

Well, the wall certainly is ugly as sin. But your only recourse (as the others have said) contact the city and let them do their jobs. Your DIY efforts could easily make things worse.

 

[chorchie]

Thank you all, so much, for the advice. I am contacting the city today to have them look into it.

Thanks!
-David