Welsh v. Todd

Since the decision in Barger v. Barringer, 151 N.C. 433, 66 S.E. 439, it has been, ¡established law in this State that a spite fence is a private nuisance. A spite fence is one which is of no ¡beneficial use to the owner ¡and which is erected ¡and maintained solely for the purpose of ¡annoying ¡a neighbor. It may be abated, subject to ¡the same equitable principles which govern injunctive relief generally, ¡and damages recovered if ¡any have ¡been sustained. Burris v. Creech, 220 N.C. 302, 17 S.E. 2d 123; 22 Am. Jur., Fences, §§ 43, 46; Annot., Spite Fences, 133 A.L.R. 691, 720.

Plaintiffs’…