New Neighbors & Violations

[jefyuaz]

Lot just cleared and new neighbors are busy on property. They tried to rent electrical from us I said no. They put up an outhouse. They have lumber to build a 200 Sf cabin. No plumbing, I suspect. No power pole, going to use a generator. One acre AG property. No permit, if course.

Is any of this legal? Will building dept or dept of health do anything if reported?

[Chunkster]

Even if you complain to the building department, the owners might pass it off as a no permit required ag building. If the outhouse is a chemical port-a-potty with regular pumping, they would probably get away with that, too. I have seen the health department go after people who had pit toilets or worse, though.

[kimo wires]

Enforcement of building codes is complaint driven.
Not sure what would be done If anything.
Lots of this going on.
We had the same situation on our street.
No cesspool, unsanitary conditions.
Neighbor called several times to complain.
Inspectors came out and did nothing.
Best to make friends instead of enemies if they are reasonable, sane people.

[jefyuaz]

Thanks for the responses. About as I expected. Main concern is the outhouse is not cesspool or compost. Also, a generator would be noisy and irritating. Looks like the health department is the way to go. But we will wait and see and discuss with them as things develop.

[sistersue]

I agree with kimo wires. If possible, try to be friendly - they may be just "normal" people having fun on their property and without much money. Asking you for electric seems a little rude though. If they seem to be drunks or worse then I feel sorry for you. I have a newly built empty house right next to my water tank and I can't wait to see what or whom will be moving in [:0]!

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

I listened to some people complain about a neighbor who had built a fence 6 inches over the line on the lot where they were living. They told the neighbor to tear it down, and when he didn't they started threatening him.

Turns out, they themselves were living under tarps, used lava cracks for their toilet, and had 7 dogs.

Both parties made each other's lives a living hell. The police were called frequently. This was in Hawaiian Beaches.

Four people are in a room and seven leave. How many have to enter again before it's empty?

[Kapoho Joe]

You are screwed. Welcome to the jungle! You should have bought all surrounding lots (sorry for the harshness but it's true).

The generator can run 24/7 on an AG lot and there is nothing you can do about it. The toilet complaint goes to the health department over by Coquis Hideaway and they are the laziest bunch I have ever encountered. I recommend moving or blasting annoying music 24/7. When they get annoyed and come talk story, there is your chance to smooth things out.

Good luck, you are going to need it.

[leilanidude]

Hopefully they are only going to use the generator during daytime building. Maybe letting them "rent" electric from you would have been a better option?

[terracore]

You can buy a Kill-A-Watt meter and sell them electricity based on their usage. It's probably illegal, but on the other hand you get to set the rate. Their "hook up fee" can be the cost of the kill-a-watt meter (about $40). It plugs into your wall outlet, their extension cord plugs into it. They would save money, and you will save sanity.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

kill-a-watt meter (about $40). It plugs into your wall outlet, their extension cord plugs into it.

If you go that route, make sure they use the thickest extension cord available. Otherwise if it's a long run from your plug to their equipment the voltage drops, the resistance increases, and you'll have a warm or even worse, a hot electrical socket.

Four people are in a room and seven leave. How many have to enter again before it's empty?