Neighbor's new septic over prop line

[JimR]

Your best bet is to get the guy that signed this off to inspect your property once you find out what the real setback is. The setback should be from the bottom of the angle, not the top. The Zoning Board should also be notified of this infringement onto your property.

 

[JJT]

The Zoning folks cannot do anything about this, but the code enforcement officer can.

 

[MikePA]

The Zoning folks cannot do anything about this, but the code enforcement officer can.

Yep. A neighbor of ours put in an above ground swimming pool, complete with a surrounding deck and landscaping. The code enforcement officer came around and said that the pool was too close, by a few inches, to the front property line. The only thing that saved them from having to move their pool just a few inches was the fact that finding the center of our country roads is an inexact science. They successfully argued this point and didn't have to move their pool.

 

[JimR]

The Zoning folks cannot do anything about this, but the code enforcement officer can.

In my town the code enforcement officer IS on the zoning board.

 

[Iowachild]

So after soliciting a whole lot of advice running to the contrary, this may go the way of let bygones be bygones as if it is a 'favor' to the neighbor? What favor? If the neighbor was in town when the work was done, he is complicit. If the work was completed in his absence and he indeed confirmed the boundary, minimum setbacks and location with the contractor prior, it is clearly contractor error and no skin off his shin to have it corrected. I should think the neighbor, in HIS efforts to maintain good relations, would be going out of his way to have it corrected ASAP. I know I would. I also know if MY neighbor didn't attempt to make it right... well, let's just say, I would be suspicious he knew what was happening all along and just keeping his fingers crossed I would let it slide. Who knows what possible future problems that buys. I do know nobody appreciates being taken advantage of and you can bet I'd be unwilling to do him any 'favors' now or in the future. Assuming the neighbor's total ignorance, I can appreciate not wanting to rock the boat but the only party making out like a favor bandit here is the contractor.

I whole-heartedly agree with you dholly. Where does this "someone did me wrong so I'd better not upset them" attitude come from? Too much discussing what the meaning of "is" is and not enough taking personal responsibility. My opinion is make whomever is deemed responsible fix it. After all.....................

 

[MikeBurr]

Just my 2 cents worth, but I think you should do what ever is needed to protect your land. A mound system implies that the ground has trouble in letting the water go through it and in a heavy rain there could be a lot of run off. Will it go thru the system and then onto your land? Does the mound change the way water flows across your land. And if they need it fixed for some reason, will they have to cross your land to make repairs. And if you let it go, will it cause problems if you have to sell? Just my 2 cents worth..

 

[InlineDieselFan]

As I have read through the many posts since my first post. There are a whole lot of different and varying rules across the country.

Our septic setback is 5' from a property line, but you cannot put a well within 105' of any property line or your own septic, tank/ or drain field. I am assuming that they assume you are not letting your neighbor put his drain field on your property.

steve

 

[zeuspaul]

I would be concerned about the health issue. The slope is there for a reason. If he is taking away the slope I doubt he is in compliance anymore (assuming he ever was) wrt proper coverage of the leach line. You don't want that stuff oozing out and making a stink.

You have to stick to it with the town. You'll get different answers and have to work your way up the ladder being polite all of the time.

The inspector probably did not know where the property line was and just bought off on the construction.

Can you get a copy of his septic design from the town? It may be a public record and it should show the design set back in relation to the property line.

If you don't deal with this now you may lose the right to deal with it later.

 

[CurlyDave]

If you don't deal with this now you may lose the right to deal with it later.

This is exactly correct.

I, for one, would not want any part of someone else's septic system even an inch closer to my property line than allowed.

Not only does it devalue your property, it can cause a contamination issue (which will not be instantaneously fixed when discovered), and if all is not perfect it will cause odor and attract flies and other insects.

Good relations with the neighhbors does not extend to letting them dispose of their poop on my land.

 

[Slamfire]

I am stunned by the casual acceptance of a surveyor's line as the actual property line. My property was surveyed before I bought it. A neighbor objected, in my research I found a neutral party survey that both property owners of that era agreed to. When I sell, the next surveyor will be set right at the beginning.