8:12 a.m. on Saturday morning, the kind of calm that only happens between two lawnmowers. Marc opens his shutters and sees the hedge right away, coffee in hand. A thick green wall, taller than the gutter, was planted like a challenge just 30 centimetres from his fence. He ate leaves and pollen every time the wind blew last summer. Today, the news hits him harder than the caffeine: that hedge will have to be cut down by February 28. He blinks as he reads the town hall flyer again. Fines. Due dates. Measurements are in centimetres. His neighbour, on the other hand, waters the base of the hedge with headphones on, completely unaware.
From friendly hedge to legal problem: what changes from February 28
Across the country, thousands of modest hedges have turned into full-scale green fortresses.
Everyone has one on their street: the “I’ll cut it next year” hedge that ended up taller than the garage, stealing light from the kitchen and blocking half the sky. Until now, it was mostly a matter of neighborly negotiation, a half-hearted “could you cut it a bit?” over the garbage bins. From February 28, that same hedge enters the realm of enforceable rules.
Take a typical suburban street. On number 12, a row of conifers was planted 20 years ago, “just to hide the view.”
Nobody checked the measurements back then, and no one imagined they’d reach 4 meters and block the neighbor’s solar panels. Over the years, the roots lifted the tiles, the shade darkened the living room, and the neighbor at number 14 started to count the fallen needles in his gutter.
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Behind these centimeters and meters, there is a simple logic. A hedge is not just decoration, it occupies space, throws shade, blocks air and sometimes even damages structures. When it exceeds 2 meters, its impact becomes tangible for the property next door.
The 50 cm distance is not chosen at random. It defines a zone where the hedge is considered too close to avoid conflicts: roots encroaching, branches overhanging, maintenance access impossible. By fixing a clear threshold, the authorities want to stop letting neighbors improvise “garden laws” between themselves.
How to prepare now: tape measure, calendar, and a bit of diplomacy
The first practical step is as unglamorous as it is effective: grab a tape measure.
Measure the distance between the base of the hedge and the exact boundary of the property. Then measure the highest point. Not with a guess, not “by eye”, but for real, with someone holding the other end while you squint at the numbers.
If you find a height above 2 meters and a distance under 50 cm, the hedge is in the zone targeted by the new rule. From there, you can plan trimming before February 28 instead of waiting for a registered letter or a visit from the local police. *The best time to deal with a hedge problem is before it becomes a neighbor problem.*
That’s why a calm conversation, even a bit awkward, can spare months of resentment.
You can mention the new deadline, show the leaflet or online information, and propose a trimming plan. No need for threats, no need to recite the law like a textbook. A quiet coffee, two chairs near the hedge, and honest words often work better than three registered letters.
There are also traps that many fall into. Waiting for “good weather” that never quite arrives. Hiring someone without checking whether they’re insured for high work. Cutting too hard at once and ending up with a brown, massacred hedge that no longer hides anything.
Let’s be honest: nobody really measures their hedge every single year. Yet from now on, leaving things “for later” can turn into a real financial risk, especially if a conflict existed already.
- Check the exact height and distance of your hedge before February 28
- Take photos with dates, from both sides of the boundary
- Talk face-to-face with your neighbor before involving the town hall
- Plan a gradual trimming instead of a brutal cut in one go
- Keep written quotes and invoices from any professional gardeners
Beyond the tape measure: living with your neighbors after February 28
Once the deadline passes, daily life will not suddenly be filled with inspectors patrolling backyards. The reality will be more discreet, more human: a few complaints filed at the town hall, some letters asking for compliance, an officer coming out to “have a look”.
Yet the psychological line will have shifted. The neighbor who kept quiet for years about the hedge that blocks their view of the sunset will feel supported by a clear rule. The owner of the huge hedge will perhaps feel attacked, even if the request is polite. Between the centimeters of foliage, there are decades of unspoken feelings, favors traded, small grudges.
| Key point | Detail | Value for the reader |
|---|---|---|
| Hedge height limit | Over 2 meters requires trimming if too close to the boundary | Know instantly if your hedge is at risk of a complaint |
| Minimum distance | Less than 50 cm from neighbor’s property becomes problematic | Helps decide whether to cut, replant, or negotiate |
| Deadline & risk | From February 28, non‑compliance can lead to penalties | Gives a concrete timeline to act before conflicts escalate |
Questions and Answers:
Question 1: Does this rule apply to all kinds of hedges and shrubs?
Answer 1 : The rule applies to any continuous vegetative barrier used as a hedge, such as conifers, laurels, hornbeam, bamboo, or a mix of species. It must be more than 2 meters tall and planted less than 50 cm from the boundary.
Question 2: If my hedge is taller than the height rule but less than 50 cm away, can my neighbour make me cut it?
Answer 2: The new rule on excessive height won’t apply the same way if the hedge is less than 2 meters high. However, local laws and civil rules about roots and branches that hang over can still be used in a dispute.
Question 3: If the hedge is on the property line, who pays for trimming it?
Response 3: If two neighbours plant a hedge on the property line together (co-ownership), they usually share the costs and upkeep, unless they have a written agreement that says otherwise.
Question 4: What will happen if I don’t cut even though someone asks me to?
Answer 4: Your neighbour can take the issue to the town hall or a judge, who may order the trimming. If you don’t stop, the judge may impose fines and even allow work to be done at your expense.
Question 5: Should I plant further away from the boundary to avoid problems?
Answer 5: Planting new hedges farther away and choosing species that don’t grow as quickly can often bring more peace in the long run, both for maintenance and for getting along with neighbours.
