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.
Wow,that is frustrating. That’s just what I want to achieve, live off-grid. There were these living dwellings called “Earthships”. I really want to live in one. They look like Luke Skywalker’s house. 100% off grid and self sustaining made entirely from recycled junk packed with rammed earth and sealed in concrete. Google it
I’m glad to hear that the American Pioneer spirit is still alive and well. God Bless you all..I wish we all could live off the grid and get back to nature as the creator intended us to live. unfortunately there are far too many people and just not enough places for the ones who want, to live off the grid. Someone said the grid is much more fragile than we think. I wonder if they realize just how true this is? It will fail, probably much sooner than we think, then all of us, weather we live on or off the grid, will be thrown into a very dark and dangerous world where very few of us will survive.
I think there is plenty of room for the people who want to survive simply to do so, as there are not that many. The amount of room is not the problem as the mainstream hates the idea of simplifying. Water will be the next big challenge.
This reminds me of what started the sagebrush wars in Nevada, people got tired of the Government not following the Constitution. So until we say enough an join the tea party or something like it in your area it will get worse believe me.
the govermet cant do that
Funny, our ancestors revolted against a tyrannical government for MUCH MUCH less than we tolerate these days…..
So true. But back then half the people weren’t lazy and living off of other taxpayers and acually stood together to fight.
Time to take back America, folks. This is sickening. Do these people not have firearms? I don’t want any trouble, go out of my way to avoid it … but those SOB’s come around here telling me I gotta get out, I can tell you right now it will not be pretty. they have the big guns and have me outnumbered …. it’ll be Ruby Ridge all over again. But I’ll go down fighting, and take a mess of them along with me.
this is a tactic they did to my family. we owned property out in the everglades and the government offered us 1/10th of the value then the next offer was that they were just going to take it… and they did… this is b@!!sh!t… un-fu$kingconstitutional..
this is all about a developer using the gov to get the land for his future deals and they want all off of it, money buys city hall every time..make graft punishable by hanging in public
follow the money the permits and the connections…bingo corruption…I am gonna buy a spot there and make it code but paint it orange
This is sick and wrong !! We the People should have a right to live as we please !! The goverment is always trying to take from us ! we have no rights left !! This just sickens me to the core!HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN IN AMERICA !!!!!!
What is most curious is why do they want the land, what use do they hve. in mind for it? FEMA camps like they r already building in other states? Now that Hussein Obama has funding and participation in his Natl. Civilian Army (funding came in the HC Bill) I won’t be surprised to c a camp developed at the exact spot they throw owners off.
I’m figuring that the land is being prepped for fracking. They’re doing what it takes to get the people who care for the land out of the way. They’re also devaluing it so they can buy it cheaply. It could be the govt or the oil companies, or both
It’s all about strong-arming the populace, making sure their money keeps going to the corporations. By all rights it warrants direct and vicious attacks on corporate and government interests. If they make sure they have your money one way, then you ensure they’re going to lose it though other means. Confront me like this and I won’t be a martyr and relive the Alamo in a shootout, but I assure you you WILL pay for it.
A siege by phalanx of armed enforcers is only an opportunity to turn and shove a blade in from the rear where the armor is soft.
One has to be careful when claiming conspiracy, this appears to be no more than some moronic public officials throwing their weight around. Take their place, change their laws! The truth and justice, fairness, these things will prevail, but only if the people complaining of the state of things are willing to work within the parameters of the opposition!! Use their own laws to make change!! Take their place and make real changes!!!! Fight the enemy from within their own ranks!!!! One must accept the reality that some may have to stand and give up their lives…Protect yourselves, but remember,,, knowledge is power!!Use knowledge of the laws to change the course.Stand together and the power of the people WILL PREVAIL in the end..If you really care go and stand with these folks, use your knowledge to really help them,use your money… do you care enough??????
Have they paid for their land?
The big unions like Hoffa has is going to try to unionize the homeless and or the ones that don’t depend on the government for handouts. Control. That’s what it is all about..
The govt cannot stand to have anyone that doesn’t need or want a hand out.
This super liberal on Pennsylvania ave is the worst this country has ever known. God save us from 2012 repeat.
It doesn’t matter who we elect or why. They get to DC and are sucked into the corrupt cesspool with out a life jacket and we paying for it.
95% of you folks have it right. The passwords are “control” and “never waste a good crisis”. True, ignorance is no excuse, but teach yourself by reading and discerning like the “Bereans”-to see if things are so. Thanx, Mike for the Federal Land Patent idea. Now here is another folks- go to escapeharassment.com. Invest your FRNs in some constitutional knowledge to escape “corporation” tickets, unjust taxes, court appearances, etc. Remember the “neutral response”. (Soft answer turneth away wrath.) Found this on Pastor Butch.com or Calltodecision.com (Pastor Butch Paugh-Vietnam Vet) “Government … is a dangerous servant or a fearful master.” Gen. George Washington (The Fearful Master(1964) and Creature From Jekyll (or is it really Hyde) Island-G. Edward Griffin) Yes, you can go to Central and S. America and find more freedom for a while, but just remember Old Scratch, Old Nick, Haman, Lucifer, satan has but a short time. Proverbs 3:5&6. The New Millenium will be fabulous w/Yeshua as King. Thank you also, Dr Larry Bates. GB you all.
what da F ?
Move to Nova scotia, Canada where you have the living shit taxed out of you and low wage,s to work with. If it wasn,t for my wife I would be off the grid. The hell with this bullshit.
Wow, I used to pick up the children that lived at this one desert farm in the video. It was the furthest stop out on my school bus route. The Antelope Valley is huge, but it is not all raw desert. Lancaster and Palmdale were booming towns when I was last there, 5 years ago. About 60 miles North of the City of Los Angeles., you had all the modern conveniences, jobs, shopping, restaurants and community recreation. People there refer to Los Angeles (City) as “Down Below”, because most everything you could need is available in Lancaster, Quartz Hill and Palmdale.
The Antelope Valley was also known as Aerospace Valley due to the Lockhead, Skunk Works and other Aerospace industry. Interesting planes were always flying overhead, including the stealth bomber and other military aircraft. Sonic booms were part of everyday life. So are summer temperatures of 120 degrees. You get used to the dry heat and it is easier to deal with than humid heat. You grow to love this place of beautiful Joshua trees, century plants, Yucca and sage. There is nothing quite like seeing 50 or more tumble weeds rolling across the desert, skipping over the roads and hopping fences in the wind!
In the springtime, the mountains surrounding this valley burst into bloom. If there has been a good rain, the mountains will be covered with vivid orange poppies that from a distance look like lava flowing down. This corridor is where the California Poppy Reserve is. Areas are splashed with beautiful purple lupine flowers too. People come there in droves each spring to see and photograph the flowers.
I felt it necessary to give a more full description of the Antelope Valley, since the video paints it as a very bleak place… These people live in the outermost regions where life can be a challenge, but make no mistake about the desert being alive! If you live there, you come to appreciate the plants and animals, the cloudless blue skies, the fact that your pets get NO fleas and the fabulous red – purple sunsets with cool nights.
Personally I have mixed feelings about this article and videos. Nothing is all black and white. I do remember the teenagers who used to get on my bus at this farm. Lovely young people. Well mannered and rarely complaining about the over 2 hour bus rides each day to school. The girl used to sit up front and tell me about her classes and friends. The boys read or napped or we listened to Latino music tapes. Were they damaged by living out in the desert? It sure didn’t seem so. The kids that I worried about were the ones well within the grid. The ones who lived in crowded apartment complexes…
This farm sits pretty far back from the road but as you can see there are no trees to block the view in this area.