If you’ve ever found yourself at odds with your neighbor over where your yard ends and theirs begins, you’re not alone. Delving into the dimly understood world of property lines, the City of Apple Valley has relayed some helpful advice: while they don’t settle disputes, they might have a survey on record to guide homeowners. Though it might seem like uncharted territory to the uninitiated, there are practical steps to help you stake out your corner of the world, without inadvertently triggering a suburban showdown.
For starters, property markers could be lying just below the surface of your lawn. Detecting them might be a DIY project with the help of a trusty metal detector. According to the City’s official website, front yard markers are usually found about 13-15 feet from the curb. These markers, commonly iron pipes or rods, might be entrenched a few inches down—or you might hit a dead end if they’re gone entirely. Those looking to avoid the guesswork and the possibility of a strained back from digging might consider enlisting a licensed surveyor, especially since state law insists they supervise any resetting of property markers displaced by overzealous neighbors, or the occasional bulldozing contractor.
Don’t get too carried away with your newfound territory awareness, though—there are invisible lines you can’t cross, known as easements. These slices of your property pie come with their own set of “can’t-touch-this” rules, often set up for drainage or utility purposes. Seen any strange structures popping up on these untouchable tracts in Apple Valley? That’s a no-go, per City ordinance, which puts the kibosh on any structures within a drainage easement. Your dreams of a she-shed or man-cave might need a new location strategy if they’re meant for an easement space.
Feuds over fences can get messy, fast. When you’re certain your neighbor’s fence is inching onto your land, a knee-jerk fence-off showdown might seem tempting. However, consider this: the disputed land might lack significant value, and the legal labyrinth is real. “In most cases the land in dispute is worth very little, so the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors advises that it is probably unwise to start a quarrel over the matter,” cites an alert from the City. If your patience is wearing thinner than the disputed boundary line, seeking legal counsel versed in real estate could be a pragmatic next step.
For those hungering for more insights before breaking ground on a property line crusade, or just looking to broaden their suburban survival skills, the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors doesn’t hoard its land surveying lore. They’ve made a trove of information accessible on their website. It might just be the compass you need to navigate the murky waters of property line politics, served up with a side of peacekeeping strategy.
