Neighbours Building Flower Beds - How Close to Property Lines is Allowed?

[Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 13:41
Last edited 01/11/2023 - 13:45

Does anyone know whether councils typically have rules around the building of new flower beds on an established lawn in relation to how close they can be to property lines?

My parents had new neighbours move in earlier this year who have been decidedly un-neighbourly thus far - they commenced a DIY build of a shed & BBQ without advising their respective neighbours. They were subsequently served with an order from the local council to demolish the half-built structures as they were positioned too close to each neighbours' property lines.

Now, they're undertaking DIY landscaping of their front yard on both sides where plastic sheeting was recently laid down that went over each of the neighbours properties. No communication with either neighbour and the guy doing the work doesn't understand English so a bit frustrating for my parents and the other neighbour to sort out.

Just wondering if anyone here has had experience with council landscaping codes in the above scenario.

Home & Garden

Comments

      • jv on 01/11/2023 - 14:35

        Council said NO!

        Why?

        Our council allows you to build right up to the fence.

      • SlickMick on 02/11/2023 - 10:11
        +5

        so dob them in again and see if the council agrees that a garden = a shed

      • CocaKoala on 02/11/2023 - 11:16

        What did the council say about flower beds?

      • GrueHunter on 04/11/2023 - 21:34

        Did council also say a STRUCTURE is different to a GARDEN BED?

  • pharkurnell on 01/11/2023 - 14:31
    +17

    Since when do you need to tell your neighbours your building a BBQ or want to plant some flowers?

    • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 16:16
      -8

      Won't Somebody Please Think of the Neighbours?

      • DoctorCalculon on 01/11/2023 - 20:24
        +8

        No. Neighbours such as your parents should practice MYOB.

        • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 20:41
          -4

          OK, you've commented enough for me to strongly suspect that you've been 'one of those neighbours'.

          Did you build a 10:1 scale TARDIS in your front yard or something?

          • SlickMick on 02/11/2023 - 10:12
            +12

            @[Deactivated]: Do you not see that everyone but you is of the same opinion here?

          • johnno07 on 02/11/2023 - 13:32
            +8

            @[Deactivated]: I know you didn't ask AITA, but you comments here suggest you are.

  • jv on 01/11/2023 - 14:31
    +2

    they commenced a DIY build of a shed & BBQ without advising their respective neighbours

    Why would they need to? As long as it's within the coucil's laws.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 14:32

      The thing is it wasn't!

      • jv on 01/11/2023 - 14:33
        +18

        Well that's a different issue, they still don't need to tell the neighbours what they are doing.

        • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 14:34
          -1

          Under the circumstances, it would have saved them $ as they were too dumb to do an initial check with Council.

          • jv on 01/11/2023 - 14:36
            +15

            @[Deactivated]:

            Under the circumstances, it would have saved them $

            Why? Because your parents are experts on the council's laws?

            • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 14:37
              -8

              @jv: Zero BOLD

              Will the REAL @jv please stand up?

              • jv on 01/11/2023 - 14:38
                +6

                @[Deactivated]: So you just posted this as a troll post then ????

                • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 14:39
                  -4

                  @jv: No, I don't do troll posts. I leave that to the experts on here.

          • Randolph Duke on 02/11/2023 - 10:06
            +5

            @[Deactivated]:

            Under the circumstances, it would have saved them $ as they were too dumb to do an initial check with Council.

            Probably weren't expecting their new neighbours to dob them into the council. Off to a great start building relationships.

          • GrueHunter on 04/11/2023 - 21:35

            @[Deactivated]: It's their money, not yours.

  • jv on 01/11/2023 - 14:32
    +2

    positioned too close to each neighbours' property lines.

    Usually, a shed <10m² can be built right up to the fence as long as it's >1m from a neighbours window.

  • jv on 01/11/2023 - 14:34
    +9

    Just wondering if anyone here has had experience with council landscaping codes

    Why don't you call the council as each council can have different laws.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 14:35
      -1

      Upteen comments from yourself and yet you read no other comments.

      • jv on 01/11/2023 - 14:36
        +7

        and yet you read no other comments.

        Why don't you read them then.

        • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 14:41

          I have which is how I know that your comment has been made by someone else that I've responded to.

          • jv on 01/11/2023 - 14:41
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: No it hasn't

            • MS Paint on 01/11/2023 - 14:54
              +13

              @jv: I'm detecting some friction here that I hope is resolved by Friday's BBQ.

              • jv on 01/11/2023 - 15:11
                +9

                @MS Paint:

                Friday's BBQ.

                Do we need to move it from the fence line?

                • MS Paint on 01/11/2023 - 15:26
                  +1

                  @jv: What did black rock city council say when you asked them?

              • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 15:32

                @MS Paint: whispers It's not THE jv

              • Jimothy Wongingtons on 01/11/2023 - 15:36
                +2

                @MS Paint: ill be there with my og batman style utility sauce belt

            • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 15:34

              @jv: I understand …. who has the time to make a zillion comments AND follow a thread properly ?!?!

  • Kongzi on 01/11/2023 - 14:42
    +64

    Judging by the way you talk, sounds like your family is the difficult one

      • dabs on 02/11/2023 - 22:51
        +3

        Just curious. Do you have any friends?

    • jv on 01/11/2023 - 14:43
      +24

      Agreed…

      The apple doesn't fall far from the tree…

      • EightImmortals on 01/11/2023 - 14:50
        +33

        Unless the tree is too close to the BBQ?

        • pharkurnell on 01/11/2023 - 15:22
          +1

          BBQ'ed apples?

        • Minimum chips on 02/11/2023 - 10:09

          I'll have you know we are reporting that apple to the Council! We'll see what it says then. Filthy apples, ruining our neighborhood. Not in my front yard!

  • altomic on 01/11/2023 - 14:52
    +17

    I rang your council and they said "yes"

  • elgrande on 01/11/2023 - 14:56
    +7

    Why doesn't mummy or daddy ask Ozbargain?

    • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 15:24

      They're boomers & don't care about social media.

      • BartholemewH on 03/11/2023 - 18:57
        +4

        I reckon they don't care about the neighbour either. Admit it OP, this neighbour situation is all your doing.

  • Ocker on 01/11/2023 - 14:57
    +8

    A simple call (not email) to the council will get an authoritative answer to solve all of this crap.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 15:27
      -7

      lol

      It's like some peeps don't like posts by members not within the inner gaming circle. It's weird.

      • lachhelix on 01/11/2023 - 18:23
        +4

        Lmao give me a break 😂

      • chichi on 02/11/2023 - 10:08
        +13

        What the hell with you and gamers? This is so weird.

        • CocaKoala on 02/11/2023 - 11:22
          +3

          What the hell with you and gamers? This is so weird.

          It's an ad hominem / name calling "response", if I could use that term loosely.

          Because they can't intellectually answer a logical question, they've resorted to insulting the one who asked the question instead.

          Graham's hierarchy of disagreement outlines this as "name calling" and places this at the very bottom of the intellectual disagreement pyramid: https://themindcollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Gra…

          Funny thing is this person things calling someone a "gamer" is an insult, so they've failed even at name calling. 🤣😂

        • nosey on 02/11/2023 - 21:39
          +1

          A google search says 81% of the Australian population are gamers.

  • PainToad on 01/11/2023 - 15:00
    -1

    If I was your parents I’d extend the fence all the way and have nothing to do with them or their garden bed going forward.

    They better hope the garden bed is actually inside their boundary otherwise you’ll get to remove it when the fence is going up.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 15:26

      It's an established lawn that they're modifying part thereof to garden beds

      • PainToad on 01/11/2023 - 15:42
        +2

        Sure, but you can still continue the fence over the established lawn.

  • Fredfloresjr on 01/11/2023 - 15:11
    +14

    THANK YOU JUPITER and MARS, I do not have this type of neighbor.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 15:36
      -3

      …. neighbor

      How about Trump's imitation of Prez Biden? So rude.

  • pharkurnell on 01/11/2023 - 15:22
    +1

    Good neighbours seem harder to come by day by day….

  • freefall101 on 01/11/2023 - 15:26
    +5

    That they were wrong on the bbq and shed is completely irrelevant to the garden bed. The first two can have an impact, but if you don’t like how the fence is working then build a new fence. They don’t seem to have a problem with it.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 15:30

      The fence is fine. It's got nothing to do with the fence.

      It's just the crappy way that the neighbours have gone about trying to circumvent council regulations in the past & I was just checking whether this is more of the same.

      • freefall101 on 01/11/2023 - 16:30
        +9

        Apparently the fence isn't fine, going by your below post, if it's preventing you from cutting grass the way you want without disturbing the neighbours property.

        Also, what's crappy about it? Plenty of people don't know about council rules - especially if they've just moved in. It's likely ignorance more than anything else. I don't ask my neighbours before I go planting flowers - why would I?

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 01/11/2023 - 15:39
    +2

    can we get an ms paint of this situtation? is there a fence or its literally just a boundary line?

    • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 15:41

      There's a fence.

      I'll take some pics tomorrow when I'm there & post.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 01/11/2023 - 15:42
        +10

        not being a troll but wouldnt the fence …stop the line trimmer from tearing up the styro boxes?

        • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 15:42

          The fence is raised a little off the ground.

          • MITM on 01/11/2023 - 15:45
            +13

            @[Deactivated]: Well it would just take a piece of material to extend the fence to the ground (on either side) and Dad can whipper sniper. Case closed.

            • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 15:46
              -5

              @MITM: That would look fugly.

            • JimmyF on 01/11/2023 - 22:53
              +4

              @MITM: Hey don't apply logic to this….

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 05/11/2023 - 08:08

        TICK TOCK

  • JimmyF on 01/11/2023 - 16:28
    +6

    Does anyone know whether councils typically have rules around the building of new flower beds on an established lawn in relation to how close they can be to property lines?

    LOL They can put them ANYWHERE inside THEIR property…….

    They've placed polystyrene boxes against the fence so my Dad cannot even use the whipper-snipper without shredding the boxes and the grass is now so overgrown.

    Huh? Its either a fence or its not a fence. How does them having things against the fence stop you on your side?

    • Eeples on 03/11/2023 - 01:48
      +1

      Apparently the fence is slightly raised off the ground.

      So, one assumes, when his father whipper snips the grass near the fence so he also (illegally?) cuts grass in his neighbours property.

      His father can no longer (illegally?) cut his neighbours lawn anymore as he would hit polystyrene planter boxes.

      I know it sounds ridiculous… but there it is.

      • JimmyF on 03/11/2023 - 09:05
        +1

        I know it sounds ridiculous… but there it is.

        Well it is on point with the rest of the OP issues….. :)

  • Porker on 01/11/2023 - 16:40
    +3

    Each Council and State have different regulations. With some areas, you're actually allowed to build up to the property boundary line - in many cases, a Council planning permit or similar may not be required (for example, a house) if a building surveyor approves it.

    As such, the removal of the structure may not in any way be Council-regulation related, ie. they didn't get a permit. It could be that it did not infringe on any Council regulations but didn't abide by another, or there is an existing planning permit for the site etc. OP, did you actually see the 'order' to remove the structures, as stated?

    The point trying to be made is that unless the subject property has a planning permit or other control/condition in place, then the landscaping location is unlikely to be Council regulated. The removal of the earlier structure does not mean that the neighbour is not allowed to place another item next to the property boundary line - again, the claimed Council 'order' would be relevant information if OP viewed it, but my guess is that it is a deduction of the situation. Ie. Parents complained to Council and subsequently saw structure removed, therefore they (parents) must be correct in that nothing can be placed next to the property boundary.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 16:54
      -1

      What is with all of the assumptions? Ask me if you're unsure rather than making wrong guesses.

      OP, did you actually see the 'order' to remove the structures, as stated?

      Yes, yes I did. I also saw said two structures being dismantled, shortly after the order was issued.

      The point trying to be made is that unless the subject property has a planning permit or other control/condition in place, then the landscaping location is unlikely to be Council regulated.

      No, nothing of the kind. The previous 2 structures were in the backyard whereas I am referring to flower beds in the front yard.

      … but my guess is that it is a deduction of the situation. Ie. Parents complained to Council and subsequently saw structure removed, therefore they (parents) must be correct in that nothing can be placed next to the property boundary.

      Why guess and keep getting it wrong though?

      • Porker on 01/11/2023 - 21:06
        +4

        So in short, the relevance of the structures information or sheeting for your post has no bearing on the vegetation issue.

        Are those inclusions just to highlight that you have bad neighbours?

        No one other than you has the full information, but yet you get salty when others are trying to piece the situation together on the limited info available.

        • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 21:48
          -3

          I included the background info to give context to the type of neighbours in question.

          I never expected to have so many commentators arc-up over the fact that my parents were protecting their property due to their neighbour's dodgy builds. And being told by various commentators that they had no business to do this (when they have every right to, as does every property owner) makes me suspect that it hits too close to home for some so obviously the wrong type of post for this forum crowd. Duly noted and in future, I shall proceed to Whirlpool for advice.

          No one other than you has the full information, but yet you get salty when others are trying to piece the situation together on the limited info available.

          To clarify, I was already salty before posting as I had back-to-back conference calls all day that required my attendance but no participation so annoying af.

          I posed my question as to whether anyone else had undertaken any modifications to their landscaping and whether they had to follow any Council codes to do so. I figured that since there is a large boomer crowd on here with a bunch of retirees, there may be a green thumb or 2 amongst them.

          There was nothing really that anyone had to piece together and I have no probs EVER with responding to queries however strongly dislike wasting time to clarify false assumptions. So yes, I got salt-ier because of this.

          • Porker on 02/11/2023 - 00:13
            +14

            @[Deactivated]: I work for a Council and do so along so both building and planning enforcement officers, so the issue of illegal or non-complaint items comes up often for me.

            I was trying to assist by further understanding the situation, in particular if your information regarding the illegal structures was in any way relevant plus also trying to understand your interpretation and/or understanding of the situation such that I could at least attempt to apply one Council's lense on the situation. That is, is it your or your parents' understanding that offset limits apply to the property boundary, therefore the vegetation is also not permitted.

            Hence, I attempted to explore that and try understand it to see how/why you would include it as information for the vegetation item.

            In the end, the structures are not relevant. The neighbour is possibly free to plant as they have. The onus of storm water or other impact is on your parents to demonstrate, as right now it's only speculation.

            Your pre-existing 'saltiness' because of your work situation is no excuse for defensive replies when some are actually trying to assist as requested. You joining Whrilpool may not reward you with any further information if you continue to approach or respond to those users with your personal issues.

          • kiitos on 02/11/2023 - 11:53
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Is there a large boomer crowd on here? I assumed it was mainly younger people.

            • nosey on 02/11/2023 - 21:46

              @kiitos: Mid 30s to 40s sounds about right.

          • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 05/11/2023 - 08:05

            @[Deactivated]: Definitely recommend you head to Whirlpool. Karen heaven. Definitely no 'gamers' there…

  • Ghost47 on 01/11/2023 - 16:58
    +1

    Have you tried emailing the council about this? Not sure why you would ask here when different councils have different rules and you’d get a much more accurate answer if you just contacted your council instead.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 17:02

      Yep

      I made a serious error in judgement by posting here. I have now joined Whirlpool.

      • Ghost47 on 01/11/2023 - 17:03
        +1

        Well it’s good you’ve gone to the source. I think you should just wait and see what they come back with.

        • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 17:08

          Why don't people talk to their neighbours?

          • Ghost47 on 01/11/2023 - 17:15
            -1

            @[Deactivated]: Probably because they’re inconsiderate people in general and think “hell I just put down a $200k deposit for this place so now I have my own space where I can do whatever I want like play music loudly outside instead of inside my house, build whatever I want where I want (within the fence boundary), idle my car with its extremely rumbly exhaust note for 15 minutes for no reason etc.”

            Sounds like another frustrating situation with an inconsiderate neighbour and I hope the council tells them off.

          • pegaxs on 01/11/2023 - 17:28
            +18

            @[Deactivated]:

            Why don't people talk to their neighbours?

            Why? Probably because their neighbours want to start petty disputes over gardens.

            • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 17:34

              @pegaxs: There is nothing petty about ensuring your neighbour's new zen garden allows for proper drainage to storm-water & doesn't flood your driveway every time it rains.

              Don't you care about your property?

          • us3rnam3tak3n on 02/11/2023 - 02:04
            +7

            @[Deactivated]:

            my parent's 'no entender inglés' neighbour?

            Why don't people talk to their neighbours?

          • stirlo on 08/11/2023 - 23:50

            @[Deactivated]: Because their neighbours are complaining assholes who make their life difficult.

            After you dobbed them into the council for a BBQ in their own yard I wouldn’t blame them for planting the ugliest most upsetting to you garden as close as possible to the boundary.

      • Aby007 on 02/11/2023 - 08:40
        +1

        Goodbye

      • pinchies on 03/11/2023 - 00:46
        +2

        I made a serious error in judgement by posting here.

        Not the only one you've made…

        I have now joined Whirlpool.

        …nor will it be the last…

        Thanks for providing a great reference article for our continuing series, "The neighbour from hell".

      • BartholemewH on 03/11/2023 - 19:06
        +1

        Whirlpool suits you. I probably wouldn't continue with the 'you must be a gamer' insults over there.

  • try2bhelpful on 01/11/2023 - 17:33
    +3

    Well this relationship is going swimmingly isn’t it. I suspect the council will be kept busy with tit for tat reprisals. If the flower beds are solely on their property then I can’t see why the council would object. If using the whipper snipper damages their boxes then your parents are probably liable for the damage. Maybe it is time to extend the fence down.

    If the plastic sheeting went over the property line then fold it back onto their side. This isn’t rocket science.

    Exactly what effort have the existing neighbours gone to when discussing these things? Did you guys give the neighbour the heads up you were going to council? Put a note in the letter box?

    Unless someone calls a truce here this is likely to spin out of control. My suggestion is organise drinks with the new people and take the heat out of the situation. Find out what they are trying to do and open the lines of communication. We recently found out we are the longest residents in our street so we’ve seen most of the places renovated around us. It has been annoying but they are mostly lovely people. If we had issues we discussed it with them. When neighbours get on they make allowances for one another.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 18:17

      You allow grace for ignorance but not when they keep acting like AHs, repeatedly.

      They were advised to get council OK for the 2 structures when the building works commenced & kept saying "sure, sure" even when it was pointed out that they had not allowed for sufficient clearance from the fence line. Why should they then be afforded any heads up that their neighbours were going to escalate to Council themselves when it was clear they didn't care?

      • try2bhelpful on 01/11/2023 - 19:50
        +3

        Hmmm because escalating a fight with the neighbours is likely to end up with tit for tat that falls within council rules, like landscaping issues. I’m just giving my opinion dude. You do whatever you want but don’t be surprised if this just ends up getting messier and messier.

        We learnt a valuable lesson from one of our neighbours. Her renovating guys were driving us nuts so we went to complain. She sat down with us, said she would talk to them and agreed to move her air conditioning unit further away from our bedroom even though it cost her more. She deescalated the situation and now we are best buds. This has saved both of us a lot of pain with renos we’ve both done since.

        • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2023 - 20:10
          -3

          No need for mess or a fight. I'll simply document what they've done until now & see if someone is home tomorrow when I'm over there. If not, then I'll just await Council advice as to how to proceed.

          It's great that you were able to sort out your issues with your neighbour however that requires reasonable neighbours from the outset. I recall you mentioning issues with a set of neighbours when you were doing renos to your place so it's not uncommon.

          • try2bhelpful on 01/11/2023 - 20:42

            @[Deactivated]: Yup, I’ve done it hard and done it easy. I wish I knew then what I know now. What all the neighbours do now could set the tone for what comes next. Your parent’s neighbour may think the situation has already been escalated. However I’ve offered my advice and I leave you to your own situation.

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