Curious if anyone knows if there is a standard building code regulation on this kind of thing. House next door is being renovated after being empty for years. Property deed includes what has functionally been an alley. New owner wants to build a garage there. (I don't want him to since I've been using that piece of land for access to my backyard for 18 years. I think I have a constructive easement). However, I'm pretty sure the city sewer line runs under that piece of land behind all the houses on the block. Is is permissible to build a garage over a city sewer line or does the city's easement (?) to maintain the line, trump the right to build? There are no other buildings in that strip of land under which the sewer line runs.
I've talked to the new owner and he is aware of my concerns and is wondering what to do. But if he can't build over a city sewer line, there's no point in me pushing him on the matter apart from asserting my right of access across the land.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13