Neighbors Must Keep Common Fence

There is a chain-link fence on the property line between two backyards in rural west Phoenix. The neighbor built block walls on the sides of their home and now wants to enclose the backyard with a block wall replacing the chain-link fence between the backyards.

The other neighbor is opposed to the block wall because the chain-link fence is in good condition, and the block walls give the feeling of being in a prison. The neighbor said that he would pay for the cost of tearing down the chain-link fence and building the block wall. Not being familiar with Arizona real estate laws, can the neighbors object to the building of this block wall?

The chain-link fence on the property line is a common wall. Both of people are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the chain-link fence. If the chain-link fence is in good condition, neither has the right to tear down the chain-link fence. Therefore, if the neighbor wants to build a block wall to enclose their back yard, they will have to build the block wall inside their property line.