Corner Property Fencing (Hempstead: how much, house, taxes)

[joker1979]

What are the rules around fencing a property? We have a corner lot and are looking to extend the fence further to the front to allow for more 'back' yard. Can we do a high fence all the way to the street or does it have to be of a certain (smaller) height? Is it only allowed to fence in as far as your house and not all the way to sidewalk?

This is for town of Hempstead.

[VA Yankee]

There are specific regulation for fence heights in relation to the corner due to line of sight requirements. Check with you town and have a clear understanding of what's allowed before you start the process for a permit.

[mikepipe]

I put a 6' PVC fence right on the sidewalk of my corner property - about 120'. Neighbor behind me did the same thing with about 80' of fencing. No permits were filed.

Neighbor across the street filed permits and only went 4' with shrubs in front of it.

There is a code for fencing on a corner property. Look it up on the town website.

[GiveMeCoffee]

Originally Posted by joker1979

What are the rules around fencing a property? We have a corner lot and are looking to extend the fence further to the front to allow for more 'back' yard. Can we do a high fence all the way to the street or does it have to be of a certain (smaller) height? Is it only allowed to fence in as far as your house and not all the way to sidewalk?

This is for town of Hempstead.

The previous owners of my house had to get a variance to have a 6' fence. It had to be installed several feet from the sidewalk. Typical requirements are 4'.

You *could* flirt with the idea of installing it without permits, but if you sell, or get caught, it's going to be a gigantic headache.

[daaver]

Town website says 4ft height past the extension of the front/side of your house.

https://www.toh.li/permits-and-appli...l-fence-permit

[monstermagnet]

The "trick" of TOH is the corner lot is treated as "two front yards" with one side and one rear. So effectively the rules for the fence in front of the house carries over to the street side yard as well. To use that space for yard requires a variance, but I think it's mostly a money grab by TOH. Unless it borders on your neighbors driveway and it obstructs his sight line to the street. That definitely will either need a caddy-corner fence (see pic above) and/or the variance. The pic above really sums it up neatly.

[peconic117]

Originally Posted by GiveMeCoffee

The previous owners of my house had to get a variance to have a 6' fence. It had to be installed several feet from the sidewalk. Typical requirements are 4'.

You *could* flirt with the idea of installing it without permits, but if you sell, or get caught, it's going to be a gigantic headache.

Im not TOH, but I have the same as you a 6' fence on a corner but a variance was required. My neighbor across the street did the same thing without a permit. Code enforcement caught him a year later and forced him to rip out the fence and put up a 4-foot one. So to the OP tread carefully here.

[joker1979]

If I choose to get a variance for a 6', how much does that cost? And do taxes tend to go up when you change fencing, etc?

Just to be clear, you guys have a 6' fence going all the way to the sidewalk on either side of house (neighbor and street)? Do you mind sharing pics of what that looks like (private if you dont want to post here) - just curious.

[mikepipe]

Here is an old pic about 5 years ago from google street view.

[mikepipe]

here is another.

If the town were to complain I'll tell them where to shove it.