Depending on where you live, and exactly what you decide to live in, the answer could be yes. In fact, a growing number of city and county zoning agencies around the world are implementing ordinances to crack down on off-grid living, in many cases making it a crime.
Over the years we’ve covered numerous examples of how government officials from around the world have been systematically targeting those who choose to live an off the grid lifestyle.
From targeting self-reliant homeowners with antiquated zoning laws and regulations to forming special zoning boards that are designed to force people back onto the grid, there seems to be a war against self-reliance, and sadly it seems like the government in many cases is winning.
Living off the grid Illegal in many areas of the United States
Throughout the United States, government agencies are forming so-called “nuisance abatement teams” designed to intimidate and force Off Grid homeowners into giving up their land or abandoning their lifestyle. Believe it or not, people are actually being fined and jailed for choosing to live an off-grid existence.
From Costilla County, Colorado trying to ban people from building off-grid homes or camping on their own land to the federal government actually trying to make it illegal to live in a tiny house or off-the-grid RV, there are a growing number of government agencies attempting to regulate this lifestyle out of existence.
While the mainstream media continues to ignore the problem, a couple of independent media organizations and a few reporters have taken notice, and over the years we’ve tried to shine a spotlight on the problem. One of the first cases we covered was the story of how Off Grid enthusiasts in California were being harassed and targeted by their local government officials.null
Off grid Homeowners intimidated into to hooking back into the grid.
There are literally thousands of examples of people who have been harassed, threatened and even fined and jailed for going off the grid. Here are some examples:
The Deserts of Los Angeles County, California
The deserts of Los Angeles County, California used to be a sort of mecca for those looking to live a more self-reliant lifestyle. But just like so many areas of the country, these Off-Grid residents are being targeted, arrested, and intimidated into to hooking back into the grid.
A couple of years back, Reason Magazine took a film crew out to one of these secluded desert towns in California and filmed some of the off-grid residents. From being threatened with jail time if they didn’t hook back into the grid, to actually being thrown in jail because the county didn’t like the look of their homes or land, the people in the deserts of Los Angeles County are being terrorized by their local government.
Instituted in 2006 by Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors’ Nuisance Abatement Teams have been targeting and jailing residents for victimless misdemeanors and code violations.
Code enforcement teams have been hitting unincorporated areas of L.A. County hard, leaving local off-gridders unsure of what the future holds. Residents are scared that they may lose not only their homes but their freedom as well.
The case of Robin Speronis in Cape Coral City, Florida
Robin Speronis tried to go off the grid in Cape Coral City, Florida. She was cited by the city for using rainwater, using solar power, not being connected to an approved water supply, and being in violation of in violation of the International Property Maintenance code. She was eventually thrown in jail and evicted from her home.
Vet who fought for our country, Thrown in Jail for Living ‘Off The Grid’
In November 2016, Tyler Truitt, a veteran, was thrown in jail for violating a city zoning ordinance.
“We live out here off the grid, 100 percent self-sustaining,” Truitt said. “So I basically made all my utilities: I have my solar panels, I have my rainwater collection and stuff. ” took an oath that I would support and defend the constitution and the freedoms that entails, and I really feel like those are being trampled upon.”
Is it really your land? According to most zoning officials, you need to follow their rules!
On top of using size restrictions to limit what off-grid home owners can live in, towns throughout the U.S. are also targeting mobile homes. In many areas, houses are required to built on a foundation and hooked up to public utilities.
Unfortunately, that piece of freedom that you bought might not be so free. If your land is not zoned for recreational vehicle living, off grid living, or camping you may be in for some serious trouble.
It’s a sad day when living off your own land becomes a crime. Please spread the word because cases like this are increasing at an alarming rate.
Ask the president for help. Contact your congressman and ask him to help.There is a fine line between upholding the laws and harrassing citizens of this country. People that have found a way to survive without harm to any other persons should not be pushed around by any government. The officials there are creating homelessness instead of helping to stop it.
Wow….a hail mary…”Ask the president for help”.
WTF….are you kidding me ? Ha Ha Ha…LOL…Hello. Which president are you referring to ?…There is a fine line between naive and stupid.
f off wil the intel troll….the system is built for you not to be able to escape it…everything we fight about is exactly what they want…us being good slaves and fighting about all THEIR rubish..which includes new age,gov politics,racism,religion etc etc…all of which are control nodes…moving to a sustainable life style is about the closest you will get to freedom except for going full tribal type living roaming like the natives on untracked land which is to rough a lifestyle for most. Back out of the system… youtube “the dream of life 5d” these people were physically threatened for backing completely out of the state in austrailia..I mean giving up there dl’s and all documents and being a free people..they had 12 death threats and one was shot at…ITS NO F’IN JOKE wil!!!!!!!
Wow, all I was looking for was info about living off the grid and came across this page. The dialog is evidence that my thoughts about government and it’s power to divide this country and it’s people are solid and hold a lot of water. In my sixty eight years I have lived in a few countries and numerous states. I have seen much discourse and hate. The governments around the world are winning and will realize their goal of making slaves of everyone. If you doubt me, check out UN agenda 21, which by the way, is supported by the current administration. In closing, I would suggest, all should channel this energy into constructive rather than destructive conversation.
Rolla missouri.. cita law to accupy a building you must have the powerhooked up and on but you can choose not to use it .I know i just wont roundup with the city hall about it
Decades ago, while pursuing my Botany Degree, I had a wonderful book that I lent to someone, who never gave it back shame on him. It was a book describing every type of moss, bush, tree, flower, root that was edible, in the northeast of the U.S. and it was amazing that practically every thing is edible. Knowing this, how to build a shelter and start a fire, I believe is important as general knowledge, something kids should know, not to be afraid of getting one’s hands dirty. I live on a saltwater marsh, so I have even more plentiful resources. Let the mega-wealthy live where they desire, if money becomes obsolete, I’ll make a salad from weeds, eat veggies that I grow, dig clams, fish and survive. The prospect of a comet hitting our planet is a greater risk than most people realize.
You live in a fascist police state, get used to it or leave while you still can.
I understand and appreciate these people. Leave them alone and let them live the life they want, in the house they want. Freedom without government control should be our number one priority. You better stand up for these people. You’re next..
Wow, where I live, I have been forced to live off the grid, because I refuse to go so deep into dept that I would never get out. I actually enjoy living the old way. I never get bored, there is always something to be done.
I have read every comment on the Page down to the bottom and with All the Ranting and Raving and other Strategies that have been laid out and Argued about,,, NOT ONE of you ” OFF THE GRID ” supporters,, Have Realized One ABSOLUTELY OBVIOUS FACT,, Being Unbelievably OVERLOOKED in your Plan…. And that is the Simple FACT that you are on the “INTERNET” which is my friends,,,, THE GRID…. UNDERSTAND ??? How do you intend to be OFF THE GRID and SWIMMING THROUGH IT in all your SHINY WELL LIGHT HERE I AM ADVERTISING BILLBOARD SPLENDOR ??? REALLY ??? OFF THE GRID MEANS ,,, OFF THE GRID. Without exception PERIOD >>> Sheesh !!
These idiots who are killing children and shooting up theaters,should be a little more constructive and kill and shoot up these idiots who bother people that aren,t doing any harm to others. People such as Mr.antonovich ,and other so called elected officials . These are the ones who are making it hard to live life as we choose. They will always find ways to make you leave your home, you fix one thing ,they find something else more expensive for you to change. Just wait until the start putting in whatever it is they want on the land and start tearing that down.
A major error in thinking appears to be very common. The GOVERNMENT is your neighbors. Each and every one of these stupid or brilliant things the GOVERNMENT does is a decision made by an INDIVIDUAL person. When people think that the government’s LAW has power they fail to recognize that these laws are meaningless until someONE chooses to act according to the law or punish someone else for not acting according to their law. The way to stop the GOVERNMENT
I stumbled across this sight looking for why I am being kicked of my own land because I am tenting on it for the summer. Full disclosere my house was foreclosed on but the adjoining property is mine that I am tenting on.
jimminy rickets what going on folks?
Bookmarked this page as I want to help.
As for me ? I don’t know
A person just can not live with out someone tugging on someone elsess way of living.
I don’t like the word wish as it pertains an empty gesture.
With that , I look foreword to see positive outcome on your respects and contact for tryanything I can do for you.
I almost never comment, however i did some searching and wound up here Is living off the Grid
now a crime?. And I do have a couple of questions for you if it’s allright. Is it only me or does it look like a few of the responses appear like coming from brain dead visitors? :-P And, if you are writing on other social sites, I’d like to follow everything fresh you
have to post. Could you make a list of the complete urls
of your community pages like your twitter feed, Facebook page or
linkedin profile?
the government sadly doesn’t know what the word PRIVATE means (facepalm)
in nj it’s call imminent domain they just come to your home and tell you to leave so they expand a road or put in new power lines or anything thay want!
If the county has been charging for ‘residential’ taxes, then they may be subject to litigation due to presently declaring the properties as not residential. I live in a different State and witnessed a successful use of this strategy. It may be possible to sue retroactively plus interest. This can add up quickly and is surely worth exploring. Also search for old agricultural laws, sometimes owning a couple livestock animals can change things as old farm laws may allow a number of things. Example, some counties in some States have old laws never removed from the books allowing farm help to stay on site 24/7, or even to reroute water sources, etc. Just some suggestions I have seen implemented elsewhere.
I’ve heard some utility companies are actually paying citizens with solar etc for power back to them…
I wish the Syrian Government will intervene. Or even the UN…
Can I hear you say A G E N D A 2 1 ?
I would suggest inviting large numbers of visitor residents –especially those who have had their properties taken away. Have them stay, fix up the premises, so that they look more conventional. Make and sell survival videos. Also, I agree with Discerning above, but do not give up your property so easily; do survival instruction, yes. Have you looked up wesites with the SPECIAL SEGREGATED WORD –GANGSTALKING. It means state attacks using state of the art electronics and unlimited military resources ie employees and materials against innocent citizens. There is also illegal covert sedation, kidnapping and surgery.
History repeats itself, our human nature ensures that to happen. You have to think about how the majority influences events in history. The majority always rules. There are ignorant people in the world, lots of them, I am only stating a fact. The corrupt have used the ignorant as their own tool for supremacy. History teaches us this, so does the present. There is no formula for a answer to today’s problems. They are ever evolving, but the signs of the times do look very familiar don’t they. Now, there are GOOD people out there, but few. These people try to take a stand. have you seen them? No. Why is that? Read between the lines people. The thing that makes those in power fear the most at night is loosing power, and control. How do you control the majority? You turn up the heat very slowly, let them get used to it, then more. A tried a true method for the ages. Am I making sense? People… we were free once. How do you measure freedom? Ask a revolutionary. How can you fight the majority, AND fight the corrupt? If you are looking for answers to today’s problems you need not look any further than your fellow neighbor, but placing blame and pointing fingers puts all back even more. I’m not saying I have the answers, I am saying I may have the right questions. I think that is a hell of a step in the right direction towards shifting the balance of ignorance, shifting the majority. You have to also think several steps ahead, go ahead and try to live off the grid and see how long before some official steps into your life. Doing what you want (freedom) is not wrong, I’m not saying so at all. It is our birth right. Just be informed, and plan ahead. I don’t want see the need for people to make martyrs of themselves, I want to see people wise up and shift the majority before it’s too late.