Neighbour built a shed behind a fence

Dec 15th, 2019 4:02 pm

#1

nioero [OP]: Member; Mar 16, 2007; 286 posts; 120 upvotes; GTA

Dec 15th, 2019 4:02 pm

So our neighbour behind us built this shed which we found out after we came back from our vacation. Not sure if a permit is needed for such a construction or if they need our agreement before they build it as our view at the backyard is different now. I will admit that it is sort of an eyesore for me. Should I just take it as is or is there anything legally that I can do? We might want to build something in our backyard in the future as well but we are planning to apply for a permit before hand. Thanks.

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Dec 15th, 2019 4:14 pm

#2

Evil Baby: Deal Expert; Mar 18, 2005; 20890 posts; 3068 upvotes; Niagara Falls

Dec 15th, 2019 4:14 pm

They would need a permit if the shed is larger than a certain size. In Niagara its 110 sqft, I assume it's similar in the GTA. They also need to build the shed a certain distance from the fence, I'd guess around 20 inches but you'd have to look up the bylaw on that.

Why would someone need an agreement because your view is different? Are you just going to complain because you don't like the way the roof looks? Seems rather petty imo.

Last edited by Evil Baby on Dec 16th, 2019 7:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

+16

Dec 15th, 2019 4:19 pm

#3

nioero [OP]: Member; Mar 16, 2007; 286 posts; 120 upvotes; GTA

Dec 15th, 2019 4:19 pm

Evil Baby wrote: ↑ They would need a permit if the shed is larger than a certain size. In Niagara its 110 sqft, I assume it's similar in the GTA. They also need to build the shed a certain distance from the fence, I'd guess around 2 inches but you'd have to look up the bylaw on that.

Why would someone need an agreement because your view is different? Are you just going to complain because you don't like the way the roof looks? Seems rather petty imo.

That is why I am asking because I am not sure. Also from the way the roof is sloped right now, if it rains hard, I worry about water pouring down to the my yard.

Dec 15th, 2019 4:39 pm

#4

Jerico: Deal Fanatic; Jan 25, 2007; 9634 posts; 5033 upvotes; Paris

Dec 15th, 2019 4:39 pm

nioero wrote: ↑ That is why I am asking because I am not sure. Also from the way the roof is sloped right now, if it rains hard, I worry about water pouring down to the my yard.

Looks legal to me. Nothing you can do. Plus, really? The view? The view of your neighbours house?

+21

Dec 15th, 2019 4:55 pm

#5

Holystone: Sr. Member; Oct 24, 2016; 964 posts; 816 upvotes; ON

Dec 15th, 2019 4:55 pm

The set back distance from the fence in most municipalities I believe is 2 feet.

Isn't it great to live in the 21st century where deleting history has become more important than making it.

+1

Dec 15th, 2019 4:56 pm

#6

nioero [OP]: Member; Mar 16, 2007; 286 posts; 120 upvotes; GTA

Dec 15th, 2019 4:56 pm

Jerico wrote: ↑ Looks legal to me. Nothing you can do. Plus, really? The view? The view of your neighbours house?

Lol it is just not something that we are used to. I guess I overreacted.

+3

Dec 15th, 2019 5:04 pm

#7

nioero [OP]: Member; Mar 16, 2007; 286 posts; 120 upvotes; GTA

Dec 15th, 2019 5:04 pm

Holystone wrote: ↑ The set back distance from the fence in most municipalities I believe is 2 feet.

Thanks. Definitely closer than 2 feet. I found in another post that it has to be more than 2 feet away in Toronto.

Dec 15th, 2019 5:51 pm

#8

fieldhousehandyman: Deal Addict; Jan 19, 2011; 2924 posts; 1162 upvotes

Dec 15th, 2019 5:51 pm

Setbacks for any structure, whether permit required, or not, are generally the same, and are usually 4 feet in most municipalities in Ontario.

Because a structure like a small shed does not need a building permit in no way means it is exempt from setback requirements.

Call your building official, and have him drop by for a visit. he will answer all your questions.

Also, because it is so poorly built, it will likely disintegrate withing a few years, and thus no longer be an eyesoere

"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is."
Just a guy who dabbles in lots of stuff learning along the way. I do have opinions, and readily share them!

+2

Dec 15th, 2019 5:59 pm

#9

mrweather: Deal Fanatic; Aug 29, 2011; 6070 posts; 3145 upvotes; Mississauga

Dec 15th, 2019 5:59 pm

Mississauga is 2’ setback from the fence. When we had the final inspection of our pool, the bylaw officer also measured the distance of our equipment shed from the fence. I had purposely built it 2’ away, and the officer thanked me and said the vast majority of sheds aren’t.

Dec 15th, 2019 6:03 pm

#10

gr8dlr: Deal Guru; Sep 1, 2005; 12046 posts; 6923 upvotes; Markham

Dec 15th, 2019 6:03 pm

nioero wrote: ↑ Thanks. Definitely closer than 2 feet. I found in another post that it has to be more than 2 feet away in Toronto.

Let me ask you if you wanted to build a shed, wouldn't you want to build it close to the property line as well? Let's just say for discussion purposes it's 2ft instead of a required 3 ft would you go and ask it to be moved? If it were me, just leave it be...it's not really killing your view per se. When you build yours you'll likely want it closer as well, if you leave them alone, they'll likely leave you alone.

We're all bozos on the bus until we find a way to express ourselves...

Failure is always an option...just not the preferred one!

+4

Dec 15th, 2019 6:27 pm

#11

teoconca: Deal Fanatic; Oct 16, 2008; 7969 posts; 2662 upvotes; Maple

Dec 15th, 2019 6:27 pm

OP, I would be more worry from those big branches.

+1

Dec 15th, 2019 6:34 pm

#12

MrFrugal1: Deal Addict; Jan 2, 2012; 3636 posts; 2587 upvotes; KINGSTON,ON

Dec 15th, 2019 6:34 pm

nioero wrote: ↑ Also from the way the roof is sloped right now, if it rains hard, I worry about water pouring down to the my yard.

The slope of the roof will not magically increase the amount of rain falling from the sky.

+7

Dec 15th, 2019 6:51 pm

#13

fdl: Deal Fanatic; Dec 5, 2009; 5655 posts; 3410 upvotes

Dec 15th, 2019 6:51 pm

Check your local bylaws, but keep in mind if he’s a foot too close and you complain likely all that will come out of it is your neighbouring paying a few hundred bucks for a “variance” and him hating you after.

+3

Dec 15th, 2019 7:25 pm

#14

kalani13291: Penalty Box; Jul 14, 2014; 1365 posts; 347 upvotes

Dec 15th, 2019 7:25 pm

The offset is 25 ft in my area. I assume because the minimum lot size is 20 acres.

+1

Dec 15th, 2019 7:26 pm

#15

engineered: Deal Expert; Feb 11, 2007; 15637 posts; 16780 upvotes; Oakville

Dec 15th, 2019 7:26 pm

nioero wrote: ↑ That is why I am asking because I am not sure. Also from the way the roof is sloped right now, if it rains hard, I worry about water pouring down to the my yard.

Usually the shed needs to be 2ft from the property line. Otherwise you can't do much about it if it meets all of the bylaw requirements for size/height.
If you don't like it, put up a privacy lattice on your fence.

Win a PS5 with RFD!

+1

Dec 15th, 2019 8:30 pm

#16

Jerico: Deal Fanatic; Jan 25, 2007; 9634 posts; 5033 upvotes; Paris

Dec 15th, 2019 8:30 pm

kalani13291 wrote: ↑ The offset is 25 ft in my area. I assume because the minimum lot size is 20 acres.

Zoning of Estate Residential is 25-30 feet. Its been a while since I checked that. I dont think 20 acres is the minimum lost size for ER, I thought it was closer to 1.7 acres, but with minimum length and widths.

Dec 15th, 2019 9:10 pm

#17

DealMoney7777: Member; Aug 31, 2012; 498 posts; 152 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 15th, 2019 9:10 pm

It may also impact the fence negatively. If it is not proper, he should fix/move it. Property owners should check the rules BEFORE they make those types of changes. All it would have taken was a call to the City and he could have done it right the first time.

Dec 15th, 2019 9:33 pm

#18

mrweather: Deal Fanatic; Aug 29, 2011; 6070 posts; 3145 upvotes; Mississauga

Dec 15th, 2019 9:33 pm

My non-expert opinion is that the setback is in place to allow for proper fence maintenance.

+1

Dec 15th, 2019 9:41 pm

#19

tranquility922: Deal Guru; Sep 21, 2010; 14238 posts; 3995 upvotes; Montréal

Dec 15th, 2019 9:41 pm

nioero wrote: ↑ I guess I overreacted.

You think? LOL.

Don't be *that* neighbor. It's really petty esp if it really doesn't affect you.

The richest 1% of this country owns half our country’s wealth, 5 trillion dollars, one-third of that comes from hard work, two-thirds comes from inheritance, interest on interest accumulating to widows and idiot sons, and what I do.. <find the rest>

+7

Dec 15th, 2019 9:44 pm

#20

WMPCOT: Deal Addict; Apr 26, 2013; 2735 posts; 2006 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 15th, 2019 9:44 pm

Wow.

I can't believe I'm still surprised at how some people react to things.

+6