I got a call today from a home buyer asking if there are any view ordinances preventing neighbors from planting trees that will eventually block their view?  The answer would logically apply to an existing tree as well.

I wasn’t entirely satisfied with my Google search to figure out the answer but I was leaning towards, “No, there is nothing protecting your view.”  I found this article regarding your neighbor’s trees on the City website.  There’s a mediation program for dealing with your neighbors too.  Maybe you can work something out before it escalates into something ugly.  They deal with more than just tree issues.

I called Urban Forestry to ask the question.  As long as the tree is planted legally, “there is no intention of protecting views.”

In other words: caveat emptor.