Rules Governing the Self-Sustaining Lifestyle in America

The Self-Sustainable lifestyle across America has grown by leaps and bounds, but so has the rules governing what you can and cannot do to live a life free from depending on outside sources, such as grocery stores, hydro electric companies and local water supply facilities to name a few. Today's post is dedicated to identifying some of the states and provinces that have been challenged by government intervention to living a self sustainable lifestyle.

First I will discuss the limitation some states have enforced on the ability to harvest rainwater. Colorodo has recently eased their all out ban on collecting rainwater, for non potable outside use. Homeowners are now able to employ rain barrels, but are restricted to 2 barrels with a limit of 110 gallons. The good news is there are several states that now offer tax credits and rebates to encourage the use of rainwater harvesting. Rhode Island, Texas, and Utah.

The US Virgin Islands have got it right. They now require by law that buildings are to be constructed with a self sustaining potable water system. More states need to use this as a model for future considerations.

Now lets move on to Gardening. Sadly, this past Dec, 2017 the state of Florida has banned the ability for a homeowner to place a garden or fruit bearing plants in the fronts of their yard. This is a step backwards for the movement. However there are other states that have already have this ban in place, such as Iowa, Louisianna and Michigan.

Now lets move to SOLAR Power. With regards to Solar Power, it is not the government that is the issue, it is the Homeowners Associations that have all the power. There are 25 states that have come to the rescue and have implemented laws to over rule the Home Owners Associations to allow the installation of Solar Panels on the roof tops of the residents in the neighborhood. While there are many other states who have in place a law of sorts called an easement to allow the homeowners who do have them installed. This easement ensures that homeowners are protected for future laws and rules banning the Solar Panels.

The top 5 Best cities across the US for Urban Farming are as follows: Eugene, OR, Burlington, VT, Santa Rosa, CA, Greenville, SC and Orlando, FL. The reason why these cities where chosen are because when they researched home sales listing across the US with a greenhouse, chicken (coop), and garden's, these 5 cities had the highest percentage. This is encouraging.

That's it folks just a little eye opener to rules and regulations that aid or restrict the self sustainable way of life. If anything an educational read.

Happy "self-sustaining" Trails

Image Sources:
https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/urban-garden-front-yard/8759.html
https://www.hayneedle.com/product/rainwatersolutionsivygreenrainbarrel50gal.cfm
https://www.tamesol.com/blog/solar-panels-worth-cost-long-term-savings/
https://morningchores.com/self-sufficient-living/