Is it your concrete wall or the neighbor's? What are the local regulations for fence height? it may be lower as your fence get closer to the street.

Large pots of 6-foot tall evergreen trees or bamboo could be placed in your driveway along the fence line. They will muffle sound a little bit. A noisy fountain in your front yard will mask sound- remember all those spy movies where the spies exchange secrets by a fountain.

We shared the cost of the concrete wall many years ago. I found this information on our city website. I would like to go as high as the city will allow. The "neighbor" will most likely check to make sure everything is in order to find a way to control what I want to do. Thank you for your reply and suggestion and anything else you might be able to add.. Much appreciated!

Is that your house or the neighbor's house?

The neighbors house. The picture is taken from my driveway and sidewalk in front of my house.

At first I was going to show you this idea of adding on with wood (which I think would be fabulous), but then you said you both own the wall. Would your neighbors agree if you paid?

Otherwise, it seems as if it is just your driveway area which lacks privacy. How about a photo of the front of your house? Maybe you can do something there, instead. Something like this on the edge of the grass, before driveway…then a gate.

@JudyGDesigns, I really like the look of adding wood to the top of the wall too. I am expecting to pay for it all myself. I do not wish to consult with neighbor as the motivation for the project is because of them! I want to keep all work on my side of the wall.. attachments, posts etc.. I would be willing to cover the existing block wall entirely from the ground up if it would look better for the overall design.

So nothing growing on the wall itself, right? Creeping fig would completely cover it and grow tall, BUT it's very agressive and needs trimming. I'm guessing the neighbors wouldn't be too thrilled. We had it at a previous home. Fortunately, our neighbors agreed it looked much better than the plain block wall.

What about some kind of planters along the wall?

@chloebud, Yes, I like the idea.. something more like the tall narrow white ones would work well.. I think it would take a while for the plants to grow enough to make a impact on the privacy. I really want make an immediate change.

There is nothing to prevent you from erecting a "secondary" wall up against your side of the existing wall. It can be as high as regulation allows. Most municipalities do not consider a wood "topper" (mounted on the top of the block wall) as part of the height restriction as long as it is not "solid", you'll have to check your city's regs...and get it "in writing". You want all your T's crossed before doing anything. If you can't use a "topper" here's another option. Because your new wall will attach to the common wall (for stability) you could hang grow boxes just under the top line of your wall and add tall growing plants. Sadly, I also have an across-the-street neighbor from hell and I have purchased a red dress to wear to his funeral.

I'd throw some really bright lights on the roof of your garage - facing their house. And maybe accidentally leave them on all night.

Here is alternative. Step back from wall solutions. You could erect a sail type awning from your garage to posts on your driveway. It would completely block their lines of sight. I have a photo. It would be like a shade element for a deck. Of course not sure what neighborhood restrictions are.

An awning or arbor could reduce lines of sight to your driveway. I'm looking for sail cloth options. bbl

Wood arbor over driveway would enhance your property and achieve more privacy.

Just depends on how much money and effort you want to go to on this.

@chiflipper, thank you for the suggestions and the the reminder to make inquiries with the city's regs on height before I proceed. I like the idea of the grow boxes up high for added privacy since the max height is 6ft. for fences in my city, planters could definitely give me some extra privacy. The existing wall goes all the way to the back of the property line and is at the max height past my gate in the photo. Because of this, I'm thinking the only area that I can add height structurally is the part of the wall in the photo along my driveway. A additional 2ft. in one area and an additional 4ft. to the lower part. The neighbors property sits a lot higher than mine so they have a birds eye view of my property anytime they're out there on the side of their house. The problem areas for me are the two windows (outlined in pink) where most of the observation and eavesdropping is done. Any additional comments, ideas, you might have are appreciated!

@kay, Ha! Ha! I would but I just want to cease any and all interaction with them in the future. Thanks!

@Flo Mangan, Thanks for your suggestions about the shade sail. I am actually going to use that idea in the back yard where they put a shed up against the wall. A BIG eyesore for me and another access point for snooping! Their property sits a lot higher than mine in the back.

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/backyard-privacy/?lp=true

PS Make that orange thing higher if you go with that. It doesn't cover enough. It's also an opportunity to block out the eyesore telephone pole.

@mrykbee, good idea, thanks. Once I get the poles up, I can play with the height and exact position. The shade sail is 13' X 7' and I have two of them. Plenty to experiment with.

I wouldn't normally suggest this, but it sounds like you are already at war with your neighbor. You could check with the city about their shed in the back. In most municipalities you have to be 5-10 feet off of the property line to erect an accessory building.

windwish, just thinking you might take your photo of the block wall to a local nursery to see if they can help. I just know there's something you could do with planters along that wall that would look good and provide some privacy. Trust me, we had a ridiculously nosy neighbor at a previous home. She didn't even try to hide being at the window with binoculars. Annoying and pathetic.

@champcamp, Yes, I was enlightened by my contractor that they are not in compliance with the city's 5ft. setback ordinance in regards to the placement of their shed. Honestly, I don't want to get into a war over anything. I just want to block them out and live peacefully. I like having that little bit of info in my back pocket though!

I think you have a good set of information and a game plan. So sorry you have this situation. We have amazing wonderful neighbors and I can't imagine being at war with them. Never know. When you send out negatives into the universe like they are, it comes back on you! I believe that. Always try to be nice. Not always successful, but I try! :)