Your fence is on a set-back from your property line. Anything on your side of the line can be cut back, including roots. But like nature1 said, this should be a discussion between you and your neighbor. The city isn't going to referee something between private property owner. Just saying.

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'm just desperate. The last time my husband cut overhanging branches, our neighbor called the cops. We've cut everything of ours overhanging her yard at her insistence and there is no reciprocation. We've had some of our trees cut professionally, but those encroaching limbs and roots can't be cut without possibly killing the plant on the other side. Aggravating.

And I'm sure the police told her that your husband was perfectly within his rights to cut overhanging branches (if they even bothered to show up in response to her call). And this would apply to roots, as well, especially if they are damaging your property. The only gray area here is damage/death to her plants if you cut roots. Would you be liable? Or would it be her fault for allowing the roots to encroach onto your property? Not a lawyer. Anyway, sounds like she is old and has way too much time on her hands!!

I guess I thought "overgrown lot" would apply to untended vegetation damaging property. It's a shame that someone can cause damage through neglect and there's no recourse other than hiring a lawyer.

Thank you for contacting the Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Division for the City of Richmond. Based on the information you provided we have assigned an Environmental Coordinator to go to the location and inspect the property for any and all code violations.

Thank you for bringing this concern to the City of Richmond, Department of Planning and Development Review, however, when the Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Inspector visited the property, it was determined that there are no active code violations found on this property at this time. The Inspector will continue to monitor the situation in the future.