Legality of building a shed in our back garden

Your best bet is to go and ask your local commune as every commune has different regulations.  Have you asked an architect/geometra at all as they'd also be able to tell you if there was a "way" round it. 

Unfortunately It will be the Comune to who you have to pay your fines to if you get it wrong; so bear that in mind. Most Comunes allow the erection of small (i.e.. not habitable) garden wooden structures, without permission. If you are buying one of the pre made panel types which you just have to put together, from a supplier, then why not ask them if they know what legislation applies. In our Comune in Tuscany and others around here these are allowed, we have checked.

Its the concrete base that would be a talking (and sticking) point I think as it denotes an immovable structure (even though it is in wood). I am afraid as your neighbour is already at odds with you he would complain whatever you did. Any chance of making friends with him?.Or at least discussing what you would like to do.

..we also have one horrible neighbour.  Fortunately he is not our immediate neighbour and anyway he has p++sed off everyone in the village over the years so his influence is zero.  Even so, his prescence leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, and he appears to have absolutely no problem with just standing outside your house and staring at you.

Blimey - what a bind to say the least.  The difficulty will be finding out for your particular area what is legal/illegal. We're up in Liguria so different regs and different for each commune - so in ours it's illegal tp put up a shed (though not sure if this is with or without a concrete base.) I'm guessing you've asked the question already of the locals that you're friends with? Have you got a forum for ex pats local to your area?

Sorry to hear about your predicament. We can get certificates regarding energy efficiency, cadastral entries, copies of deeds...; however we will never get a certificate stating that your neighbours are going to be nice.... In our case, we have been extremely lucky, but I have heard some horror stories. Good luck with your future plans!

Roberto is My Zio Spros !!

"Anybody want a house in Campania..............?!" Yes! I swear I kinda knew your house was somewhere in Campania - 'tis the only place that fits perfectly the type of mentality you speak of.  You've just gotta know how to handle those Napulitani - but it does depend exactly where in Campania it is - Provincia di Avellino is my guess from what you've said so far. Tell me where your house is - or at least narrow it down to the nearest town for me and I may be able to tell you how to handle your neighbourly problem - if you don't want to deal with it, then I  might buy your house - 'cus I'd have no qualms about telling your neighbour where to go - and perhaps even showing him and his wife exactly how to get there!

I've seen a shed on wheels, up in Trentino where there is a far less cavalier attitude to regulations than the Mezzo-Giorno. It was in plain sight, clearly visible from the busy main road, in a prime tourist zone. The wheels looked seriously Mickey-Mouse affairs but, I dare say that technically they did the job. Go for it. If your neighbour is some kind of architect then the fact that you have found a way to beat him at his own game will give him a case of the screaming ab-dabs. Living next door to a moron is not nice so it might be an amusing idea to take up the offer in the post above. I sympathise with your builder husband on pre-build/new-build........... not with a barge-pole. They are seriously unhealthy structures to live in. When will the Italians give up their love affair with concrete? Pilch 

"Living next door to a moron is not nice so it might be an amusing idea to take up the offer in the post above." Pilch, you're absolutely right - its not nice to live next door to a moron - and that's why I've no intentions of moving next door to you!  Jane, If I were to take you seriously about your offer to sell your home - I'd have to refuse due to location. I'm sure you know exactly what you're dealing with in the Castel Volturno area - not an easy place - lots of problems, but I'd seriously get a local (not so) nice person to pin your neighbour up against a wall and tell him to vaff.... While the neighbour gets pinned up - make sure you're outta town - somewhere very public and where  others can vouch for you.  San Lazzaro is a great location - do visit. Can I ask why you choose this location to purchase and live in?

I would think about the story of the North Wind and the Sun in a contest about who could succeed in removing the coat being worn by a man. All the force of the wind had no effect - the man just buttoned it tighter. The sun of course just had to shine. Maybe you should just try and "unbutton" your neighbour with unrelenting "niceness" - daily little presents of homemade cakes, invitations to lunch, asking his advice on all sorts of things, smiling as if you think he's wonderful. It would have to be constant. If he doesn't "melt" he may just have to move away himself if he cant stomach living next door to incomprehensible saints!

Did you ever see a copy of the original planning approval? Do you know if such a document exists? Do you have a copy of the rescision of your permit stating on which grounds this has been done? It looks as if there is lots of talkand gossip but very little formal evidence. Has your geometra given you a copy of all relevant documents? 

Just a thought Jane   Do you think part of the problem might be  P.... envy?  After all, a Harley is a very macho machine!!  Get an electric bike, it screams inadequacy to some.  (Tongue firmly in cheek here)  Best wishes and good luck.

Fabbriche - I think you maybe right,; that or he thinks we have loads of money because it is big and shiny! Ah well, watch this space and I will update you all when and if anything happens....

Your tiled roof is the problem.  Put up a garden shed, and its precaria.  A tiled roof is a permanent thing.   Campania has, I think, extended Piano Casa until 2014 - you could therefore extend your house by the 20/25% for a verandah quite legitimately (probably).  

Jane, my advice would be different. You should talk to your neighbour and explain what you would like to do and ask for his help and opinion. If you involve him in the project, he may surprise you. He is a professional and he knows what can or what cannot be done. And he will not object against his own project. You would have to pay professional fees; however, this is a small project and it should not be much. I guess that you paid for the geometra's ineffective intervention and other charges. To sell your property and to buy a new one also costs money and time. If everything fails, you can always look at other options. Forget abouut local gossip and inuendo. Never get mixed up in those things, particularly in a small town. Always talk nicely about everyone. And, as general advice to anyone doing renovations, never demolish any existing structures before getting a building permit in writing or an order from Council to demolish it, also in writing. You loose a valuable bargaining tool.

I agree with Gala. As he is your neighbour it is vital to get him on your side somehow if you want a pleasant life. He has the power to make your life hell in all sorts of ways if he feels you are "at war". Could you write him a letter asking if you can discuss any disagreements between you in a friendly manner, as you are willing to listen to his point of view if he will consider yours, and do not feel the need to resort to solicitors?

Thank you Gala, Ram and Sprostini. I think our house and yard are too little to put in a veranda (which is what we originally had planning permission for but was recinded) but after years of trying to be friendly to our neighbour I think we have no chance of a civilised discussion with him either. I also know his fees are really expensive and I am not inclined to give money to one who is so full of animosity to us. However, we maybe on the way to a solution - will keep you posted when I know more!

Sometimes, our original ideas are not the most suitable. Houses need to be lived in so that we may realize what is good and what is bad for them. Best wishes and keep us posted.

Jane, forgive me but if you are going to roll over every time a neighbour (especially an Italian) gives you grief over what you want to legitimately do to your own Property, then you may as well splash out an have a T-Shirt printed with 'Vittima' on it. If you think you are right in doing so get the permission and go ahead, make friends with your Mayor, as he carries the weight in most Comunes and ignore this Oik next door. Italy is full of Xenophobes and for what ever reason you will probably never be able to get on with this Guy anyway, so go ahead stand up to him and press ahead with your intentions.