Nuisance is the unlawful or unreasonable interference with a person's use, enjoyment, or comfort of their land.
1. Public Nuisance
An act that unreasonably interferes with the health, safety, comfort, or convenience of the general public (e.g., blocking a highway or polluting a community lake). It is a criminal offense. A private citizen can only sue in civil tort if they prove they suffered special damage above the general public.
2. Private Nuisance
An unreasonable, continuous interference with a specific person's private use or enjoyment of their land (e.g., smoke or noise escaping from a neighbor's factory).
Defenses: Prescriptive right (practiced continuously for 20 years) and Statutory authorization.