I own a lake lot in an association that allows RV's on the lot. We have built a fire pit and enjoy camp fires. We are seasonal in Minnesota with fires a couple times per week when we are at the lake.Recently, a neighbor (who lives in a home next door year round). Approached our property past dark. He began ranting and raving about our fires....claims his wife cannot hang clothes out, nor can they keep their windows open on the south side of his house when we have our fires.My husband told him it was our property and we can have fires. He has since reported us Twice to the sheriff for illegal burning?? We have spoke with sheriff and also reported our neighbor for harassment.He will yell at us claiming we are trailer trash, we are ruining the environment, etc. what suggestions for a nasty neighbor ?? We would prefer no contact with he or his wife EVER!,

Are your fires smokey? Do you have a fire going all day or just in the evening for a couple hours? A fire going all day seems a bit much, but a small fire in the evening for a couple hours once or twice a week certainly doesn't seem out of line. It may also depend on how close your fire pit is to his residence. Staying on a lake lot with permanent neighbors isn't the same as at a campground, IMO anyway.

When it's too smoky to sleep/ breath, I get in my rig and find better places away from crowded places. Some camps have an option or a choice wether or not you want to stay in the section where there are no fires.

Guess I'd better not say in writing what I/we would do about it. But, If he continues and you are 100% legal with your fires, the law is on your side. I don't know all the details or particulars of your situation as that could have some bearings. For a start, file a written complaint and press charges and follow it up. Use the law and enforcement to shut him up! Kind of strange that he can't open his south windows at all when you have a fire and is like saying you must have a big fan always blowing the smoke directly at his house as if the wind direction never changes. One BIG LYING MOUTH blowhard jerk for a neighbor!!! WE know the constantly varying wind directions here in the Midwest as we also live in the Midwest and have for over 74 years.

We also own land since 1987 with RV's on it in Northern Michigan with a Condo Assn rules and have seen some morons like your neighbor over the years while I was on the Board Of Directors for 9 years. We simply shut them up or challenged them with legal action if the campfires in their area was checked and deemed to be legal and within the Condo Assn written rules. Your neighbor has a copy and should know the Assn rules and laws also so don't put up with his BS.

Thanks for your comments travelnutz....it makes our time at the lake so stressful when he is outside or badgering us! We may follow with harassment if he continues with one more issue....again...thanks for your support !!

Trailer trash ! | Good Sam Community

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jul 27, 2016
Are your fires smokey? Do you have a fire going all day or just in the evening for a couple hours? A fire going all day seems a bit much, but a small fire in the evening for a couple hours once or twice a week certainly doesn't seem out of line. It may also depend on how close your fire pit is to his residence.

Staying on a lake lot with permanent neighbors isn't the same as at a campground, IMO anyway.
covered_wagon
Explorer
Jul 27, 2016
When it's too smoky to sleep/ breath, I get in my rig and find better places away from crowded places. Some camps have an option or a choice wether or not you want to stay in the section where there are no fires.
travelnutz
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2016
Guess I'd better not say in writing what I/we would do about it. But, If he continues and you are 100% legal with your fires, the law is on your side. I don't know all the details or particulars of your situation as that could have some bearings. For a start, file a written complaint and press charges and follow it up. Use the law and enforcement to shut him up!

Kind of strange that he can't open his south windows at all when you have a fire and is like saying you must have a big fan always blowing the smoke directly at his house as if the wind direction never changes. One BIG LYING MOUTH blowhard jerk for a neighbor!!! WE know the constantly varying wind directions here in the Midwest as we also live in the Midwest and have for over 74 years.
travelnutz
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2016
We also own land since 1987 with RV's on it in Northern Michigan with a Condo Assn rules and have seen some morons like your neighbor over the years while I was on the Board Of Directors for 9 years. We simply shut them up or challenged them with legal action if the campfires in their area was checked and deemed to be legal and within the Condo Assn written rules. Your neighbor has a copy and should know the Assn rules and laws also so don't put up with his BS.
Nursedebbie1
Explorer
Jul 27, 2016
Thanks for your comments travelnutz....it makes our time at the lake so stressful when he is outside or badgering us! We may follow with harassment if he continues with one more issue....again...thanks for your support !!
imgoin4it
Explorer
Jul 27, 2016
Sometimes there are two sides to the story. Many have probably never experienced a fire burning old rail road ties right between 2 motor home spots with the smoke coming in the windows on one side of the motor home and exiting out the other. That's not our only experience but it is the worst.
travelnutz
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2016
What I'm getting at is the Assn or Condo rules and laws are the same as specified for every owner and if you don't like the rules and laws you'd agreed to by signing as required when purchasing your unit or property, please just MOVE away as you are in the wrong and the control board doesn't hear you! You have zero standing as you'd already agreed to the laws and rules and your me me me attitude is totally meaningless!
IBcarguy
Explorer
Jul 27, 2016
fj12ryder wrote:
Are your fires smokey? Do you have a fire going all day or just in the evening for a couple hours? A fire going all day seems a bit much, but a small fire in the evening for a couple hours once or twice a week certainly doesn't seem out of line. It may also depend on how close your fire pit is to his residence.

Staying on a lake lot with permanent neighbors isn't the same as at a campground, IMO anyway.

Valid points/questions - Your neighbor sounds like an AH, but the above questions might provide a different point of view than yours. If you are burning a smokey fire all day and into the night that is close to his house I can see his point (not his attitude or way of talking to you though). It's not always about the law...it sometimes is about consideration of others. On the other hand, if he is being overly critical and confrontational, use the law to your protect your rights.
covered_wagon
Explorer
Jul 27, 2016
You need to try and work it out with them as this thing about enforcements only makes things worse between neighbors. Selfishness doesn't work but talking it out and reaching agreements does.
travelnutz
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2016
imgoin4it,

Apparently you are referring to being in a CG where you only rent a narrow site and do not own a bit of it or the CG. The OP actually OWNS their land just like the neighbors do and are not simply just daily, weekly, monthly renters that have NO say as to the laws and rules. Therefore, actual owners have full rights in accordance with the property owners laws and rules they'd agreed to and signed that were in-acted. Easy to move away when you rent but no very easy when you own as there's a sale and real estate laws and rules and a closing involved. Usually many months before the actual closing occurs.

We have bought and sold 11 properties so far and still own a few and know the details of doing so.

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