What Do You Want to Do That’s Illegal?

Ok, so maybe a quick word here to say that if it’s something that could kill innocent people, don’t leave me a comment.  But, for everyone else, can I get some feedback on the specific things you want to do, but can’t because it’s illegal where you live?

Seriously! I have an urge to plant 50% of my front lawn in veggies. Not only does that get lots of people into trouble with over zealous city administrators, but apparently the city has it’s fingers all over the place with “easements.”  Literally a quarter of my lawn, I get the joy of mowing it, but since it’s an easement everybody keeps telling me I can’t plant there! Do we have any lawyer readers? Do city easements REALLY require no vegetable plantings? Or is it just people being good little sheep and following tradition? Couldn’t I plant anything that won’t grow back the next year? Like annual vegetables? I’m totally ready to fight for this one. Did you hear about Des Moines’ brush with a ban on front yard food gardens? It died a quick death I’m happy to say, the council was worried that such a ban would infringe on property owners’ rights. *high five*

Anybody got a chicken ban? I’ve heard of clotheslines bans, are there still any of those? Oh, thank you Google, looks like there are, “Late last year, the village of Great Neck, Long Island, officially prohibited residents from hanging laundry in front yards.”

We ran into that line of arbitrary legality during the building of the doom stead, we wanted to do grey water/black water toilets, but the county wouldn’t let us, then we counter bid with composting toilets, rejected again. We ended up with a flush toilet to a leach field, pretty much the one option all of us hated. Boooo.

And I’m sure you all remember my favorite healing herbs, marijuana and poppies.  Beautiful plants, gorgeous flowers, and some of the best herbs for what ails ya. I would be growing them if it was legal in Iowa. Colorado calls to me, but I’m hoping the rational thinking will spread and Nebraska will go next with some sort of industrial hemp growing, and Iowa won’t dare be left behind, and will have to legalize. A girl can dream, right?

Your turn, sound off in the comments! Are your prepper plans being squashed by bureaucracy? Got a bit of sustainable living that your neighbors will sue you over? We want to hear about it!

- Calamity Jane