rhizo_1: It's mainly preventative. Ken is right that our roof has recently become the highway between one of their favorite nesting areas and three or four of their feeding spots. It appears they unanimously agreed on this being the new preferred route after the local tree canopy was altered by removal of a large fruitless mulberry. It's a percentages thing: more squirrels on the roof, then greater risk of problems. Current problems are trivial as a bit of noise and guard screens damaged or removed when checking for things to eat in the gutters. However, we're down at least $2.5K in damages caused by these critters over the years, so take prevention seriously. Here are some examples of what we are trying to avoid: It's harder for them to get into the attic since the original cedar roof was decked for composition. However, they'll still go through any bendable/chewable venting, such as the ridge vents which are just vinyl/plastic under cap shingles. Then there's the "small (thin) one/big (fat) one" problem with the vent pipes and stacks, especially in the fall when they start chasing each other around. The "big" one gets stuck in the pipe/duct, either trapping the "small" one or forcing it to find another way out... usually into the house. I had thought this unlikely until it happened to close relatives in two different states last year. The in-laws actually had the "small" squirrel come up in their commode - fortunately the lid was down and it had drowned (hypothermia?) by the time they found it. In both cases, plumbers had to remove the bigger ones stuck further up in the vents. Most squirrels won't mess with wire (or lead), but if one does get fixated on it, there's almost no stopping it. When one starts eating wire, they eat the copper and insulation. On our roof, worst damage would be taking out our comms feeds or lead vent caps.... though if they get inside the attic, potential damage is much greater. The leaping from the fence to the roof is new. I'm just looking for ideas on how to discourage them from using the 4 to 6 feet of fence top in the four areas that run up to the house where they make their leaps. Backup is to set traps on the roof, but would prefer to avoid this by having them "re-pattern" different routes. This post was edited by bostedo on Fri, Sep 13, 13 at 10:48

It's quite common in my area to have a courtyard like this in the back of the house (rear entry, lots of U-shaped houses). Heck, I've seen them completely enclosed in the middle of O-shaped houses. Anyway, I like the idea to make this a private, gated courtyard entrance. 15' will be tight. Do keep in mind the width of any gate you might add should be wide enough to accept furniture and appliance deliveries. The rest isn't an answer to your courtyard question, sorry. Are you remodeling the kitchen as well? If so, I would mirror the kitchen and have the entry into the living room on the left side of the kitchen vs. the far right as you have it shown. Even though the house is "small" (I think it's normal sized, btw), it's still a long way to carry clothes to/from the proposed laundry room. You probably need a side egress door from the garage directly to the exterior. The door from the laundry to the front courtyard won't count. And you might want to make the door from the laundry into the living room be in a straight shot from the door to the garage, rather than turning a corner like you have it shown.

OP again. The neighbouring house is a rental with people coming and going, pretty transient. Who wants strangers trespassing on your private property, not to mention liability issues if they happen to fall or injure themselves while on your property. Planning on heading to the hardware store to get some lumber to make our own custom planters to put near the front of the house and strategically on the side. Thanks everyone for your comments and creative ideas!

I've had this thought off and on --- with the idea that some times of the year I want sun because it's cool out. So greatly depends on how you define cool and what your vision is. The advantage to this idea is to also make your property more valuable. That said... even if you make shade where I live it's still hell on earth. Hot is hot, even in the shade where I live. (They call these Pergolas) This last one to show an option to be able to remove the shade if you want in cooler weather.