On Mon, 15 Sep 2003 21:41:20 -0400, "walms"
wrote:

Hi folks,

I'm in a suburb in southern Ontario. We decided to buy a house that backs
onto conservation to get a little more privacy than the standard lot would
offer. Everything was great until our next door neigbour decides to install
a patio door and 2nd floor deck off the back of their house with a full view
of our back yard!!! (which wouldn't be so bad if they had a better past time
than watching us swim).

For (relatively) complete privacy, buy 10 acres in the wilderness and
build a house in the middle. For living in suburban communities, you
gotta make allowances. Even for 2nd floor viewing decks.

As the old saying goes, tall fences make for good neighbours... I'm looking
for a 15' fence! unfortunately the local bylaw will only allow for 6'.

Do some geometrical projections of viewing lines. I don't know the
numbers, but preventing a 12' tall platform from seeing a ground level
area may require more than a 15' fence/planting.

Any good suggestions?

Keep y'r swimsuits on. Shelter the pool area with up-slanted awnings.
If your activity isn't anything that could be photographed and sold to
the tabloid press, go ahead and enjoy, and point to and giggle about
onlookers. If they *are* obviously fascinated by your activities.
Maybe they just enjoy having a 2nd story deck. If I were rich, I'd
have French doors in my bedroom leading onto a "widows walk" over my
front porch where I could take breakfast and watch the birds in the
trees. Or possibly get a better stargazing view.