Spite fence

In property law, a spite fence is an overly tall fence or a row of trees, bushes, or hedges, constructed or planted between adjacent lots by a property owner (with no legitimate purpose), who is annoyed with or wishes to annoy a neighbor, or who wishes to completely obstruct the view between lots.

Courts have said, "[u]nder American rule... one may not erect a structure for the sole purpose of annoying his neighbor.

Many courts hold that a spite fence which serves no useful purpose may give rise to an action for both injunctive relief and damages.

This is mostly attributable to the fact that modern building regulations often prevent any construction likely to impinge on neighbours' views or privacy.

[citation needed] In some countries, such as Finland, construction of any such structures is explicitly prohibited in the law (Neighbour Relations Act 13§).

Her neighbor, Handley, did not like this addition, and retaliated by planting a row of evergreen trees, parallel to the property line, that would grow some day to purposely block Wilson's view of Mount Shasta.

Examples in Ireland include Marino Crescent in Dublin and "The Jealous Wall" at Belvedere House and Gardens in County Westmeath.

In the 1930s, an outfield fence on Shibe Park baseball stadium in Philadelphia was raised to 34 feet in order to block a view of the field from the rooftops of a neighboring street, which had become a popular site for spectators.