Mowing backyard in GA
i need to mow my backyard. I currently have an 8 foot tall (which is the highest it can legally go in my area) privacy fence, but sadly, some of my neighbors can see in. could i still get in trouble/charged for being seen?
Some states allow an extension on top of the permanent fence. Check your local ordinances.
When you say that you can still be seen, what do you mean? Do you mean if the neighbors climb up on something to look over the fence, or they can see from some of their windows? I believe in most states that if they have to go out of their way to see you in your yard, then you are in the clear. But if they don't, then you are in the wrong. The law in New York is:A person is guilty of public lewdness when he intentionally exposesthe private or intimate parts of his body in a lewd manner or commitsany other lewd act (a) in a public place, or (b) in private premisesunder circumstances in which he may readily be observed from either apublic place or from other private premises, and with intent that he beso observed.
There's an interesting word in this ordnance - lewd. I wonder how lewd is defined? Is merely walking about in one's backyard considered lewd?
No, based on most definitions, simple nudity is not. Unfortunately, most of the time, the actual law is ignored and people are charged anyway due to our uniquely American fear of nudity in any form except pornography, which is apperently ok. Go figure. Land Of The Free...my ass.
If there is any space between the boards that someone walking by can see through, you can get in trouble. If the neighbor's site is unobstructed from a window, their backyard deck, or from any other structure, you can get in trouble. If someone driving by can do so can see through the fence due to board spacing, you can get in trouble. The smart thing is to put offsetting boards on the back side of the fence to get rid of the board spacing issue. Then, if your neighbors have to take measures to see in your backyard that does not occur naturally from where they are, you should be ok.
More details please to make this realistic. If there is one or two houses that are two stories and that is the only concern, go talk to your neighbors. Simply ask If I laid out to sunbathe in my backyard would a little nudity bother you or your wife? then depending on the reaction expand the discussion to include gardening or mowing. There are 5 houses in view of our back deck. We had the discussion with 3 that said no problem and marked the discussion on the calendar. One siad no problem but since he know I don't get along with his wife he siad don't let her see ya. The 5th is not worth asking. So we keep our nudity restricted to our section of deck nearest the house, that can't bee seen by #4.
Hope you have a better situation
We took care of that problem ... yanked the lawn out and put in synthetic lawn with a putting green! Now ... everyone is happy! :D
Our neighbors asked "what was going on back there" ... as if they didn't already know. hahaha We told them that when it was done we'd invite them over to see it. They were leaving for a short camping trip and we said, "when you get back, we'll show you the new putting green," they replied ... "we saw you both enjoying it the other day." Slip of the tongue, I suspect, cuz I think they didn't want to divulge that they look into our backyard. Surprisingly, they seemed okay with the fact that we were both naked back there practicing our putting and chipping! They said they will come over when they get home.
I think it's time for sharing a bottle of wine, some laughter and possibly some open and honest conversation about how we live! :-)
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