What about a pergola with native wisteria to cover you from above? I can't imagine that even a 45 foot tall screen would block a 4 story building.

Bummer. That said, I am not a purest about anything. I think that if most of your yard is catering to wildlife , that this will not tip the long term effect. I think that bamboo is a good dirt builder and birds love it. Wildlife is also attracted to non native species.. My only concern is the damage that it might do to the foundation over the years. The clumpers do expand out in a formidable root mass when happy. Are they allowed to build right up to the plot line?

I had old ubiquitous running bamboo that we contained in retaining walls and it got above 2 floors and would have done most of the third floor. I imagine with the hanging over of the crown yours will create zones of privacy, maybe not complete privacy. I think that you will get used to it after a decade or so. I found that we are flexible humans and the allusion of privacy is often just as good as complete privacy in our minds..

Is there anything else that you can plant. I suspect that the bamboo does capture rain in the leaves and mosquitos love it or so some people say. Others say that is a myth. I had an awful mosquito problem and I had a lot of bamboo in the neighborhood. I also had a river not far away and a dry creek bed with wallows.. I read somewhere that it was the bamboo that attracted them but I have also read the opposite..

Not many better options than bamboo when small footprint, great height, rapid growth, and evergreen are all required. Will they actually make 40ft+ in Houston? A variety of birds love the neighbor's 20ft+ tall bamboo on our fence-line, so seems to have plenty of wildlife appeal. Not sure about the mosquitoes, though the area around the bamboo is definitely not the worst spot for them in our yard.

Some well placed 'Slender Silhouette' sweetgums would be almost native and could eventually provide some seasonal privacy to 40ft+. But roots could be a problem if can't be positioned at least 4 or 5 ft away from any pavement. Wantonamara: I think that you will get used to it after a decade or so. I found that we are flexible humans and the allusion of privacy is often just as good as complete privacy in our minds.

Uncertain how true this is, but probably better for our sanity if is since mounting a security camera to a gable can now negate a few decades of privacy hedge growth even on single story buildings. Placement is lightly regulated, if at all, and the installers want to mount them high for protection, coverage, flexibility, and cost.... and the technology will only become better, more discrete, and ubiquitous in the years ahead.

Here is a link that might be useful: 'Slender Silhouette' sweetgum

Bostedo, I live out where I can not even see a neighbors driveway or house so I can do naked gardening if I so choose but it was not always so. I am an urban person first and having a yard in downtown Philly was an exception my parents did not have. We had a roof garden. Privacy was always an allusion but one FELT secluded in the beautiful cared for corners. That is what I was talking about. We had several skyscrapers of prying eyes grow above our row house roof, but I always saw them as empty with people at work. I know, a delusion at best. I think we grow used to many invasions and they become the norm after awhile. what was hated becomes a piece of static force that enters into our design considerations just as the type of soil and the sun that it blocks. What was full sun is now a shade garden to be. Good luck, Dirt-McGirt on making your peace with this intrusion.

Here, deed restrictions are secondary to city ordinances;
does Houston not have code, or ordinances, or some such thing?

I would think that you & your neighbors could protest the construction of something that's not only intrusive but absolutely out of kilter with the rest of the neighborhood.

It sounds like a guaranteed eyesore & a source of light pollution if the builder or buyers install outside lights for accent or security past the first story.

Before you spend any money, you might research to be sure that the bamboo you're looking at would actuallly reach 40' where your are.

If I were in your boots, I'd also put room-darkening & noise-dampening window treatments, & maybe storm windows or triple glazed windows if possible, on the side of the house that is exposed to this mess.

I wish you the best.

Sounds like OP is in Houston proper (vs Bellaire, Southside Place, West U., etc), which is probably still the largest US city without zoning. Land use is largely controlled by deed restrictions. In their absence, just about anything goes that can satisfy the codes dealing with parking, setback, access, and the typical safety/environmental requirements. Probably not many other angles for stopping this sort of out-of-place building in Houston. Though, could try to discuss the window types and locations over the backyard with the builder/owner. Small chance of any influence, but might get lucky. Have seen transom, textured/stained glass, and glass block windows used nicely on new multistory homes built in established neighborhoods that provided natural light while preserving much of the neighbors' privacy.

Wantonamara, Well explained - Thanks!