My neighbour wants to stop me planting trees...
My neighbour wants to stop me planting trees...
"My neighbour keeps telling me that I'm not allowed to plant a tree within two metres of my fence. What are the minimum distances?"
Christine, Vaud
In the canton of Vaud, the Rural and Land Code (CRF) governs this issue. Under articles 37 and 52 of the CRF, no tree, shrub or bush may be planted within fifty centimetres of the property boundary without the consent of the neighbour.
In addition, planting must be maintained at less than 3 metres in height within two metres of the property boundary, and at less than 9 metres in height between two and four metres from that boundary. Different rules apply if the neighbouring land is a vineyard, if it is located in an agricultural or intermediate zone, or if the land has been in woodland for at least 30 years. In addition, if there is a fence between two adjoining properties, the minimum distance only applies to plantings exceeding the height of the fence.
Finally, hedges are subject to different rules: they may not exceed 2 metres in height, unless the neighbour consents. If you still want your hedge to be taller than 2 metres, you must set it back from the minimum distance (50 cm) by a distance equal to two-thirds of the amount by which it exceeds the legal height. For example, if you want to keep your hedge at 4 metres high, it will have to be planted 1.83 m from the neighbouring property (i.e. 2/3 of 2 m = 1.33 m plus the 50 cm minimum distance). It should also be noted that the prescribed distances are calculated only from the centre of the base of the plant perpendicular to the nearest boundary, and not from the branches, which is why hedges often appear to be on the property boundary rather than 50 cm from it, due to the lateral development of the branches.
