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.
I was born and raised in laguna beach in the 70’s.. You might think that this makes me a rich kid.. well I was raised by a parents who were hard working and self made.. my father a, canadian by birth decided early that he wanted to be free and become an American citizen.. So he did.. I was raised to believe in the founding father’s ideals.. We, all of us, everyone who rants here, and most of all the bureaucrats that are destroying this amazing country, need to read The Constitution and Declaration of Independence. We need to hold the Politicians and POLICE to the letter and Spirit of the LAW, BY FORCE, if necessary.. Until we as a population say, NO MORE and bring class action law suits against these cities and personal lawsuits against the bureaucrats who push paper in the tall glass temples of useless government stupidity.. i moved to TX.. where it is still ok to execute a child rapist, rather than sending them to therapy. Where, if you want to live in the woods in a hovel, good for you.. no one cares.. When enough people realize that CA is one of the most beautiful places on earth, but has been ruined.. You can fight them, with violence or lawsuits.. or leave…. Take their taxes and license fees away until they can’t keep hiring these looser drones, who follow any asinine order, from some Judge who failed as a lawyer. These Judges and Police are inching their way to taking away your ability to protect your families, under the guise of,.. just call 911.. thats what the police are for..HA what shit.. they are the strong arm of the politicians, YOU elect.. who will you vote for next time? CHANGE isn’t always CHANGE for the better…
Next loser drone that deprives you of a right, get his oath of office. (He won’t know it, but it’s the same for everyone in government but the prez.) Try to get him prosecuted by his own agency’s inspector general, then the FBI, and when they refuse (they have discretion) go to the honor dishonor process, same as the IRS uses, charging reasonable fees for the 18 USC 241,242 deprivation of rights at $250K per as per 18 USC 3571.Specifying also that you get power of attorney to seize assets to satisfy the claim. When the private process is complete get court ratification and collect. The court only has to see that the process is correctly done, not judge your rights; it is a decision by a superior court: that of contract.
Well my friends and countrymen I can only add my thoughts in hope that we may contact each other, band together and “fight”.. that’s right, I said “fight”. There must be a way to be heard, and not just heard but some one in power who cares about the people- the citizens of this great and wonderful country that most of us were either born in or have been here and worked here all our lives. I am a Christian as were are forefathers and I will stand for you people that have been wronged.. but what can I do?.. I have no power or money.. but I do have faith in God the Lord Jesus Christ and I will continue to pray and hope continually that not just the county but, the men and women who serve in positions of authority within the state of California, will listen and take to heart what is happening here. We were born free! were we not?.. so do not be affraid of those who regulate and come to take away and heavily tax that freedom. Do not give up! Please…
The truth is that Americans are like crabs, jealous, and spiteful. For want of it all, you will lose it all.
OUR Government and Our so called Leaders ARE supposed to be representing “we the peoples” and supporting OUR Rights, ALL OUR Rights. But from all i have learned and as a Senior Citizen, on life support, that we are and have been robbed in every way possible, including ALL OUR INALIENABLE RIGHTS. These so called leaders in Government ARE ruthless arrogant, lawless and or applying real Justice. I have seen nothing but reckless non-accountability and unbelievable statements wherein they will go in front of a camera and state, 65 million ‘lost’; billions ‘lost’, trillions lost. We know and all have witnessed fact, 13% jobless; homeless, starving and NO real honest media to turn to. It is high time ‘we the peoples take back OUR Government from the Traitors and Betrayers of America. Time we place OUR full voices in how we want OUR country and lives run. America is NOT the America of OUR US Constitution. It IS time for Americans to fill the streets and yank the traitors out of office on the hill, close down the Federal Reserve and reclaim America to the peoples, period. Its time to fight for what is right and send those not in agreement, who also may be from outside the borders, boundaries and Citizenship of America, as ones we can truly count on, home! America needs Citizens WE can count on not sell us out of Democracy! Stop shopping and thinking about entertainment America (yes the Elite at the top) this means corporations, industries, banks, insurance companies, etc. We have no time to quibble, America is at a cross-roads and the poor and middle-class 100% do not deserve what you of the Elite and or Corporation and Political Structure are doing to our lives. Change or be changed, period. Americans ARE marching across America and by God YOU had better be on notice. We ARE NOT going to take any more of your robbing and lawlessness. Democracy IS NOT going to take a back-seat, not on the Americans lives I know. TRUTH will out, America will continue to OCCUPY until we take back our Citizens Rights and the America the Constitution has always Supported ! tatiana
The enemy of all humanity is not the U.S. Gov., it’s the American piece of shit, spawn of Satan white.
WTF is spawn of Satan white?
It is funny how this is repeating itself now again… Church Hill said this when I was a child and heard my teacher speak it… ‘That if America is to fall it will fall from within’ Trust me that this statement is true and the prove of it is look at the Native American – the same thing has happen to them… now you… who next?
“If fascism comes to America, it will come as Patriotism”
Fix your status. If you are a U.S. citizen, you are equal to a subject. They own your ass. Become a state Citizen. there are two types of citizenship in this nation (they hide the latter from you, obviously).
Your social security # is what gives your status away; if you have one, you’re a federally-controlled U.S. citizen.
THIS IS AGENDA 21. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THEY HAVE IT UNDER ANOTHER NAME SUCH AS: UNSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPEMENT AND THEY ARE FREAKS ABOUT IT. LOOK IT UP AND SEE IF YOUR CITY OR TOWN HAS THIS IN THEIR AGENDA AND CRUSH IT ASAP OR WE WILL ALL BE UNDER THIS CRAP!!!! HELP THESE PEOPLE BY STANDING UP BECAUSE THEY ARE COMING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND LAND NEXT. WE THE PEOPLE!!!! THERE ARE MORE OF US THAN THEM .. MAKE THEM KNOW THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT COMPLY!!!!!!!
i just got tired of all the crap in palmdale left my home to the bank and moved to florida a much better place. i know many people that live in the country without being on the grid. in florida you can carry a gun with concealed permit. grow food all year long including pineapple,banana,and many healthy fruits. fishing everywhere.
you wont let me enter my comment claiming my e-mail address is incorrect so ill just leave as is . if want to post me o.k.
This is intimidation, plain and simple. The rights of these people, who want to live a simple life, are being grossly violated and if the powers that be get away with this, it will be you and me who are forced from our homes next.
we are headed to police states. our gov wants all the power and say so. anyone catch our house voting against our bill of rights. we need to wake up to our surroundings and what is going on. we will have revolt in the streets if our rights and money keeps being taken away from us. i am not crazy but certain propecies are coming to attrition. pay close attention my friends.
kloathis said that it will be a crime to be poor…it will be a crime to be successful financially too. So sad.
We are living in World War III and not aware of it. Our government is seeking absolute power, and they will not get it if the working man refuses to play his part.
There is a story that took place in the 1800s that is of value. In the backwoods of some southern state a revenue agent came looking for a moonshiner. He trudged up the mountain to a run down cabin and found a boy about aged 11. “I’m looking for Mr. Smith,”
“He’s up there (pointing further up the mountain) workin'” said the boy.
“Where’s your mother?”
“She’s making ‘shine with him.”
“Boy, how would you like to earn 50 cents? You take me to where they are and I’ll give you the money.”
The kid held out his hand. The revenue agent said, “Oh no. You get the money after I get back.”
The boy replied, “I’ll take the money, now. If you go up there you ain’t comin’ back.”
I live in a more urban area, so its a somewhat different situation, but no less frustrating. Around here, code enforcement is very selective. Theoretically, the zoning code is supposed to protect people from the negative impact of nearby neighbors doing substandard improvements or letting things get run down. In practice, they only go after people they think they can collect a fine from…so I get hassled and have to jump through hoops to do work legally on my house, but my neighbor can build a ramshackle shack in his backyard, or turn a single-family home into a hot-sheet boarding house and zoning won’t touch him because he doesn’t have the money to pay a fine. As a result, laws that are supposed to keep standards up in a neighborhood actually work to drive them downward.
Of course they took it. They will always take things you’re not willing to fight over.
Isn’t this sort of par for the course in the People’s Republic of California? My wife’s grandma had to so some similarly arbitrary stuff on her land near Heyward, which cost a lot of money. Had to plant a row of expensive redwood trees along one edge of the properties, x feet apart. They’ll probably be ordered to cut them down in a few years because the trees will be declared a nuisance.
Sad… we all need to become our own lawyers. When something like this happens, we are going to have to learn the laws of the particulars of inmediatelly hire an attorney. These people can’t afford an attorney, this is why that town is getting away with it. On their meeting, was there an attorney with them??? That would have made a huge difference. Contact all tv channels for this. Use facebook now.
OCCUPY the DESERT (in fac e book)
There is no justice, there is only just us.
What a sad reflection of a Republic we have become because of liberals.
It has long been my assertion that if one can only afford a cardboard box, by god they should be allowed to live in it.