Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Colorado

Q: Our property line goes directly through our neighbor of 5 years driveway. We want to fence our property completely

1 Lawyer Answer

A: This is a complex question. You should contact an attorney.

If you own a property, you have a right to fence it provided you do not run afoul of any covenants, HOA, zoning, ordinances, and/or other laws. In certain rural areas in Colorado, you may be required to fence it.

The primary red flag with this question is the fact you state your neighbor’s driveway runs through your property. This may present an easement problem.

In certain situations, you can purchase an easement to use property for purposes like a driveway. These typically get recorded with the county clerk and recorders office.

In other situations, he could acquire an easement through adverse possession, it could arise naturally based off of prior history, or other.

You need to determine if he has a right to use the driveway. If he does and you block it, then you may be subject to legal action. Again, you should contact an attorney. An easement can present problems down the road if you ever decide to sell the property.

Please be aware, any answer is based on the events occurring in Colorado. Further, please be aware that this is not legal advice. This is generic information intended to help the reader develop questions to ask an attorney when they are ready. Each case is different. Anyone reading this answer in need of legal advice should contact an attorney. Larranaga Law offers free case evaluation. Please note that representation is not guaranteed.

Sincerely,

Michael Larranaga

Larranaga Law

Website: www.larranagalaw.com

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.