Is this a legal backyard fence height? (Phoenix: for sale, houses)

[ArizonaRain]

Hi guys,
I wanted to show you what my neighbor is currently doing and ask if it's legal or not. I just looked up city code and according to Phoenix code legal height for a backyard fence is 6 feet. My other neighbor just built a block wall as well, but theirs is the same height as our chain link, no issues there. We just came home to what now looks like a prison yard. We are about to list our home for sale, we had intentions of putting a new wood fence which is 6 feet tall, per code, but how in the heck do i deal with this? I keep thinking about what will potential buyer think when he sees this tall wall, and i keep wondering about our resale value.
I emailed city of Phoenix just now, but i wanted to ask if anyone here experienced this themselves? Do we have any recourse? Splitting the cost is not an option, as this guy actually came to our door to tell us he's building a block fence and he won't offer us to go half and half because he doesn't like us. I was stunned since we had no issues with him at all (we are quiet, hard working couple in early 50's, with no kids, we don't make any ruckus nor noise, we just sleep and work)
Thanks in advance!

[DAXhound]

How tall is it? A building permit is often required if within 6 feet of a property line... That is how it was in Santa Cruz County.

[DetroitN8V]

Can't really tell what's going on in the pics. Did he build a block wall abutting your chain link fence? Seems weird to not do it on the property line. Yes, 6 feet is the limit. Personally, I'd probably see it as a non-issue if it adds privacy. You can always stucco it and vines or plants on/in front of it. Hopefully they'll clean up the mortar. The workmanship looks rough.

[AZJoeD]

I most places 6' is the limit without an engineered plan. It is a safety code. But I have often seen the owner build up the soil on their side of the fence to make the fence only 6' from the ground. If you have concerns talk to the neighbor, or contact the city to check the permit status.

If they followed the rules there is not much you can do. If they are in violation the city may force them to fix it. Hard to say.

[gemstone1]

There is a chance that he wanted to hide that ugly a$$ chain link fence of yours.

I would take down the chain, stucco the blocks, hire an artist to paint a mural, and then thank the neighbor for giving me the canvas to work with....for free.

Regards
Gemstone1

[Spuggy]

Originally Posted by gemstone1

There is a chance that he wanted to hide that ugly a$$ chain link fence of yours.

I would take down the chain, stucco the blocks, hire an artist to paint a mural, and then thank the neighbor for giving me the canvas to work with....for free.

Regards
Gemstone1

Yep ! The chain link fence would put me off unless I could decorate or remove it.

[hikernut]

Looks like the wall is one course higher than your fence. That part does not seem like a big deal, honestly. Plus by not putting the fence on the property line he's given you use of a bit of his yard. Seems foolish and short-sighted on his part.

The issue, if there is one, is that the side of the block wall facing your yard may not be finished nicely. So if you take down your fence you'll see a block wall that looks like hell. It would be more work to clean it up than just simply applying stucco and paint.

[ArizonaRain]

I know that chain link fence is ugly. As i mentioned, we are currently working on the property. We are in the middle of a complete pool remodel, and we did have plans to change the fence in the following year, but there is only so much money we have. Most houses in our area have chain link fence, i would say good 85%, even though it is a nice neighborhood.
I thought we are not allowed to take our existing fence down unless we pay for part of his new block fence?

[hikernut]

Originally Posted by ArizonaRain

I thought we are not allowed to take our existing fence down unless we pay for part of his new block fence?

Perhaps technically true, but who is going to complain if you take down your fence? Seems like the only risk is that your neighbor could take down the block wall without your consent since it's not on the property line.

[DAXhound]

https://www.maricopa.gov/1674/Residential-Construction