Good Neighbours

Good neighbour relations start by thinking about how your activities could be bothering your neighbours. These things are often regulated by the municipality where you live. There may also be provincial or even federal rules that apply.

Anything that interferes with someone else’s ability to enjoy their time spent at home or in their yard can lead to hard feelings. After this, things can get out of hand. What started as accidental interference can lead to a cycle of revenge and deliberately harmful activities. As is the case in many situations, it is much easier to avoid neighbour trouble in the first place than it is to resolve a conflict once it has begun.

If neighbours are doing things that bother you, a good first step is to talk to them. Sometimes, people are not even aware that they are creating problems for others. If the problem continues, you may want to talk to your municipality about any regulations that may apply to the situation. Sometimes, making neighbours aware of the law that covers the situation can be helpful. Other times, a resolution can be negotiated or mediated. Where the parties will continue to live close to one another, working together to resolve a dispute can have many advantages. In some cases, the municipality may intervene. If the dispute cannot be resolved through these means, it could end up in court. Going to court, however, is usually time consuming and expensive.

Having a firepit in your backyard can be a great reason to get outside. Fires do, of course, create smoke which can leave your property. Because of this, some municipalities regulate the use of fire pits. Where fire pits are allowed, there may be limits on what can be burned, where it can be burned and when it can be burned.

Before having a fire, consider:

• how windy it is and whether the smoke will drift to a neighbour’s property
• the type of fuel you are using and whether it will create worse smoke
• whether your neighbours have any health problems that smoke may make worse

The law allows municipalities to regulate how owners must maintain their properties. Many cities and towns enact bylaws to address things like:

• unsightly properties due to garbage and junk
• properties with overgrown grass and weeds
• inoperable vehicles stored on a property
• dilapidated buildings

These types of issues affect the whole neighbourhood. Overgrown grass and weeds can increase pests like mice that go to other properties. Garbage and junk on a property can be an eyesore, create hazards and lower property values elsewhere.

Noise is another thing that is often dealt with by municipal bylaws. Generally, noise bylaws prohibit or limit loud and unnecessary noise. Many bylaws prohibit noise that can easily be heard by someone outside or in another home. Your municipality may also have quiet hours. During this time, things such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, or other loud equipment cannot be operated.

Things like lawn pesticides, on the other hand, are regulated by multiple levels of government. A number of municipalities in Canada have banned the cosmetic use of pesticides. If pesticides are used, it is wise to take precautions to reduce the impact on neighbours. Pesticides should not be applied when it is windy or rainy or too close to your property line. It is also a good idea to post a notice that they have been used recently.