It gets 2 to 3 feet wide (or more) and keeping it trimmed off the driveway may not fit with your "little to no maintenance" requirement.

How tall does the screen need to get? 15 feet? Your options are going to be limited, with only 19 inches of width to work with.

You will probably have to remove lower branches into the tree form, in order to not consume driveway space, You wouldn't necessarily need to be limited to needle-thin plants like 'Skyrockets' but do need to use a tall shrub.

Though the neighbor wan'ts the light on all night, he may be amenable to blocking the portion that shines on your property. The power company often does this by spray-painting part of the globe.

If the light is bothersome mainly when viewed from a certain area (like the patio) I would consider building a trellis raised above the fence on which a vine is grown. If you had a trellis that spanned 15' or 20', you might be able to block the light where it is most offensive. I don't know about your municipal rules and what obstacles you'll run into (by extending a trellis above the fence) but if your neighbor is not completely impossible to deal with, you might advise him of your plans so that he doesn't start screaming to the authorities (out of fear of what's imagined to come) and prevent you from going ahead. A vine on a structure would be the easiest way to block light at a specific area. It looks like you only need it extend up to 9' or 10'. It would also be the fastest way as vines get up and running usually in a single season. Plant annual vines and a permanent perennial vine at the same time and it will be covered in a matter of weeks.

19" is not nearly enough width to grow Skyrocket junipers!! The tree wants to be double that!! And the suggestion to remove lower branches is not going to provide a look that you will find attractive......a collection of conifer lollipops! Will also take forever to achieve a height that will provide the screening you desire as well.

I think you need to either find a tree species that will provide screening at a height and width that planting area will accommodate (possibly Carpinus betulus 'Frans Fontaine') or get your neighbor to tow the line wrt the light and call the city code enforcers on him.

20 ft. x 19 in. just isn't feasible. And how many years do you want to wait for the planting to develop? Then there is the fact that a light like that is still going to show through a planting.

I like the vine idea, so you need poles to hold up the wire, use 3 wire with a light on one.

Any kind of plant used in any fashion is going to have to become very dense to block that light.

Judging from my hardy kiwi in zone 6, I think it might provide the density you seek, so long as you have a sturdy structure. It a true vine, but needs a bit of initial help... then stand back. Get a male and female and enjoy its amazing fruit. There are other vines, but I've found they become invasive quite quickly.

Deciduous planting like the kiwi will not provide screening of any significance the entire winter dormant season.

That’s disgusting. How is he allowed to do this? Since he’s not willing to do anything & is in violation of code I would consult with an attorney & ask him to draft a letter.... this shouldn‘t be your problem to solve.

I would mount a mirror aimed to relfect the light back in HIS window. At night. During a hot summer day direct in down on one of his choice plants! That'll learn him.

As you said you weren't interested in a legal battle, while a mirror might be one solution, have you considered an alternative garden concept such as a perennial vine on a trellis? You could put a canvas on the back of the trellis to help prevent light from coming in both for winter months and to assist in blocking the light in general?

@Roxanne I'm curious, what did you end up doing?

Those aren't of course magnolias in that picture. But I do think broadleaf evergreen trees on single trunks may have been the way to go. As long as their crown spread was not going to be too much. And the summer leaf drop of broad leaved evergreens wasn't going to be a source of exasperation - with southern magnolias such as 'Little Gem' there is individual spent leaves as well as spent flower parts (and later pods) falling over a long period during the growing season.