Neighbor Repeatedly Trespasses, Removes Property Markers, Encroached On Surveyed Property Line — What Are My Options
Long-running dispute with my neighbor that's escalated to repeated trespassing and damage to my property. Looking for advice on next steps.
Timeline:
Neighbor complained about rats going from the ditch behind our houses into my sheds. I addressed it (no rats since). She called code enforcement on me anyway, despite admitting the rats were eating from her bird feeder.
I put small signs in my own yard (unrelated to her). She removed them and brought them to my door, then later just threw them back into my yard. I kept replacing them. Her friends got involved, there was a shouting match, and police were called — both parties told to leave each other alone.
She had a couple if guys start installing a 7' sun-cloth fence about 6" off my fence line. My property extends 2 feet past my fence per my survey (had this since I bought the house 10 years ago). I asked her to stop construction immediately — she did, then claimed she thought the setback was only 6". Fence was relocated off my property but was never permitted (I don't care about the fence itself, just that it's off my land).
Nearby land clearing/apartment construction increased the rat population. Neighbor again tried to blame my property, despite only seeing rats at her own bird feeder. I told her they don't live on or eat from my property and I'm not killing wildlife that isn't bothering me. I later found a dead rat in my yard and suspect (can't prove) she put out poison. She called code enforcement on me again over the rats — costing me money since I now have to get my sheds permitted as a result.
She planted firebush shrubs directly on/over our shared property line. Per my survey, this required digging into my property, and the encroaching growth blocks my ability to walk my own fence line.
I placed survey stakes on my own property to mark the line. She removed them each time, throwing them elsewhere in my yard. I have her on video stating she will continue removing them whenever I place them. I told her if she keeps touching my property I'll call police. She has removed the stakes at least twice more since I told her that. I have not yet called law enforcement. The Last time she took them out I haven't been able to find them so it appears she took them.
What I have: Property survey showing the boundary, video of her stating intent to keep removing my markers, and (limited) photo/text documentation of the other incidents.
What I'm asking:
I've drafted a cease-and-desist letter — is that a reasonable first step here, or should I go straight to something else?
At what point does this pattern (repeated trespass + property removal + stated intent to continue) support something stronger, like a civil injunction?
Is the false/retaliatory code enforcement angle worth pursuing separately, or is that just something I have to live with?
No HOA, Florida law — anything jurisdiction-specific I should know before sending the letter or escalating?
Location: Indian River county Florida
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