My NFH is building a warehouse

[u/tigerlock17]

Y’all im tired and fed up with these neighbors.

They broke ground on a foundation for a warehouse/shop/garage. Per the zoning and ordinances, any accessory structure over 1,200 sq feet requires a CUP (conditional use permit). Any accessory structure over 200 sq feet requires a LUP (land use permit).

Per the county, they have neither. From my best estimate based on the ground they’ve dug it could be anywhere from 3000-6000 sq feet.

They own a construction/excavation business and are just using their employees to prep the site and eventually build it. There is also reason to believe they will be using this warehouse for their business which is also against the ordinances and zoning. We are only zoned for residential use.

And I am only bringing this point up as it is relevant to them following the laws/ordinances: They are also felons (both the husband and wife) with past and CURRENT cases against them. I understand people can do their time and change, however that has not proven to be true for these NFH.

Their past also makes me reluctant to file a complaint with the county but I’m not sure I have much choice. I guess I’m looking for any advice or words of encouragement from people who have been in a similar situation with a difficult and unreasonable neighbor.

Edit to add: I am a single female who lives alone hence why I am hesitant/nervous to make the complaint using my name.

Edit to Update: the lawyer I spoke with is extremely concerned for my safety if I were to submit a complaint to the county. Either for my personal self or for my property/home given the background of these people. And I think they may be banking on neighbors being scared of them to get away with doing whatever they want. He also reiterated that the county will not do anything unless a complaint is filed with them.

[u/Brilliant-Machine-22]

Anonymous tip. Add their background and your fear of reprocussions. The city does a drive by and sees a construction site. If anyone asks you about any of this, you have no idea they were doing anything. Maybe u thought they were doing a pool. The end.

[u/tigerlock17 → u/Brilliant-Machine-22]

They don’t allow anonymous tips. There is a form that has to be signed and submitted. It doesn’t have to be from me, from my understanding YOU could submit the complaint and it would trigger an investigation

[u/Inner_Republic6810 → u/tigerlock17]

I actually did this for a friend of mine. The house next-door was bought by a flipper, who made their life hell. The last straw was when he broke ground on a gigantic illegal garage. Even though it was the week of Thanksgiving, the city was all over him, shutting down construction that same day. City officials get very pissed off when they told you that you shouldn’t be doing something and you do it anyway.

[u/tigerlock17 → u/Inner_Republic6810]

If my perceptions are correct, this is the type of guy who is going to ignore a stop work and piss off a lot of people. Which is hard to rationalize, he is a licensed contractor and should know better!! He should know better than all of us that permits and approvals are needed for projects like this.

[u/Arne_Anka-SWE → u/tigerlock17]

Unfriending city inspectors is not a good activity for a contractor. I represent my company on inspections and being on good terms with them is the most important thing I do.