<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">It sounds like the neighbors are trying to provoke or invite some kind of timber trespass by your client. Don’t let him do this. “Treble damages.” RCW 64.12.030 (Topping trees is a bad idea anyway because
it weakens the trees and depending on the species, causes the tree to sprout even more vigorous growth.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">I would look for a way to engage the neighbors in a discussion about removing the offending trees with your client bearing some or all of the cost. Mediation (if the agree to participate) is the best way to
go because your mediator can point out the potential that they could lose the case and be forced to remove the trees themselves or have the cost entered as a judgment on their property.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Jane.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jane G. Bitz<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of Counsel<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wolff, Hislop & Crockett, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">12209 E. Mission Ave, Suite 5<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Spokane Valley, WA 99206-4824<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(509) 927-9700 x126<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">FAX: (509) 777-1800<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D"><img width="191" height="96" style="width:1.9895in;height:1.0in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D682D7.41FD7F00" alt="image001 (4)"></span><span style="color:black"><img width="115" height="100" style="width:1.1979in;height:1.0416in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.png@01D682D7.923FC2C0"><img width="273" height="96" style="width:2.8437in;height:1.0in" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image004.jpg@01D682D7.41FD7F00"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#2F5496">THE CONTENTS OF THIS ELECTRONIC MAIL ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND PROTECTED BY THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE OR OTHER APPLICABLE PROTECTION.</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#2F5496">
Any review, use, distribution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. <u>
If you have received this electronic mail in error</u>, <b>PLEASE NOTIFY ME BY E-MAIL, FAX OR TELEPHONE and PROMPTLY DELETE</b> this electronic mail. This mail cannot be modified without express written consent of Wolff, Hislop & Crockett, PLLC. Thank You.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Jeff Davis<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, September 4, 2020 2:37 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'WSBA Real Property Listserv' <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBARP] Enforcing Restrictive Covenant Through Self-Help<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listmates:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A restrictive covenant states: “No structure or object, manmade or natural, shall be permitted to be constructed, set in place or grown to height of obstruction on any lot which shall interfere with the view from any other lot of marine
or cascade view.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Neighbors allowed trees to grow that block clients’ views and tell the clients: 1. They have no money to trim trees; 2. It is not their obligation to trim trees or to pay for it; 3. No court will enforce that restriction; and 4) there
is no proof the trees block any views. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Client provided pictures of the trees and drew in where he wants to top them. Neighbors still refuse to allow topping; wanting each tree marked that client wants topped. Mind you, these are a grove of trees, no just a simple row. We
are hoping to get them to mediate the issue rather than having to sue.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But, the question is can a property owner who benefits from a view covenant take self help actions to trim trees on the offending neighbor’s property, who refuses to voluntarily comply, or will that lead to some form of trespass action?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jeff <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">W. Jeff Davis, Esq.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">BELL & DAVIS PLLC<br>
P.O. Box 510<br>
Sequim WA 98382<br>
Phone No.:(360) 683.1129 <br>
Fax No.: (360) 683.1258 <br>
email: <a href="mailto:info@bellanddavispllc.com"><span style="color:blue">info@bellanddavispllc.com</span></a><br>
<a href="http://www.bellanddavispllc.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">www.bellanddavispllc.com</span></a><br>
<br>
The information contained in this e-mail message may be privileged, confidential, and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited. If you think that you have received this
e-mail message in error, please e-mail the sender at <a href="mailto:info@bellanddavispllc.com">
<span style="color:blue">info@bellanddavispllc.com</span></a> or call 360.683.1129</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>