How to block views and noise from a new building next door
New multi-unit developments and ADUs built directly on property lines create severe noise and privacy issues, leaving homeowners staring at ugly structures just feet away. People often look to hire landscapers for immediate visual screening, but struggle to find the right plantings or solutions to block the towering views and ongoing construction noise.
Core Friction Pattern
Analysis of 2 peer accounts across online developer and community forums reveals that “How to block views and noise from a new building next door” repeatedly surfaces due to edge-case mismatches between standard defaults and real-world environments. Standard troubleshooting frequently falls short, compelling practitioners to develop custom workarounds.
+9 alternative community-tested workarounds cataloged below.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
How to block views and noise from a new building next door
- 1Selling the home and moving before construction progressesDid this help you?
- 2Installing multi-layer arborvitaes, tall trees, and grasses for privacy plantingsDid this help you?
- 3Building a sound wall to block noiseDid this help you?
- 4Asking the developer to incorporate a landscape barrier using extra dirt from constructionDid this help you?
- 5Installing a tall lattice with climbing plants on top of the fenceDid this help you?
- 6Stringing prayer flags between tall polesDid this help you?
- 7Using triangular solar sun shades or shade sailsDid this help you?
- 8Planting tall, slim trees or trees with a broad canopyDid this help you?
- 9Zip-tying fake ivy panels to lattice for temporary coverageDid this help you?
- 10Checking local zoning permits regarding building codes and fence heightsDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“We have a 30 unit development being built directly on our property line through our backyard.”source ↗
“We live in a quiet farm zone and want to do everything we can to not see or hear that monstrosity being built.”source ↗
“What would be the best thing to have a landscaper come out and put back there for that and what costs are we looking at?”source ↗
“our neighbor put in a massive two story pre-fab ADU (accessory dwelling unit) that towers over our front yard and door (and is about 10 feet away). It's cheaply made and just really ugly (we are kind of in shock at how bad it looks).”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5What trees can I plant to block road and gate noise?
- 13Plants that actually block a two-story neighbor's view
- 3Why can I hear everything through my apartment door?
- 5How to deal with thin walls, broken elevators, and a useless HOA
- 6Why are safety walls at tourist viewpoints blocking the view?
- 11How to kill volunteer trees near a house without herbicides