It’s a lifestyle that survived thousands of years before the onslaught of electricity. Then, when Edison invented the lightbulb, humanity was destined to become controlled by this current flowing through wires.
What’s ironic is the lifestyle which is now considered by many to be barbaric and unorthodox is where we all are ultimately headed, whether we’ve prepared for it or not.
Living off-grid in a sustainable lifestyle is the desire of many preppers simply because it puts our lives back into our hands without the outside influence of the world and its political landscape.
However, living off-grid is no longer as simple as unplugging from the main power grid. In this article we’re going to look at the #1 enemy of living off-grid and how you can overcome it while protecting what’s most important to you.
The Government and its Laws
Throughout the rest of the article, we’re going to break this thought down further but the #1 enemy of living off-grid is the laws put in place by greedy men in suits.
In truth, this point is true for every local law-making establishment, from local government agencies to D.C. The reason they care so much about what you do on your property? The mighty dollar.
Now, let’s break this thought down and look at the “red tape” in place to prevent you from going off-grid.
Zoning laws
When attempting to go off-grid, you’re going to encounter several zoning laws that may either require a zoning change to be made or permits to be bought.
In a living off-grid situation, these zoning laws will likely include residential, agricultural, and recreational zoning laws.
And, since the idea of being off-grid is to be self-sustaining, there’s likely to be some kind of commerce on the property. This will cause commercial zoning laws to come into play.
These zoning laws are going to work to prohibit several types of structures you normally find on an off-grid homestead, such as:
- Tiny Homes,
- Lean-to Shelters,
- Outdoor Kitchen Areas,
- Mobile Dwellings.
- And Bunkers.
Each area is going to be different. What is allowed in Montana, for example, is going to be considerably more lenient than what may be allowed in California. Learn here how to build a cheap bunker in your backyard, which could be an essential addition in case of a crisis.
Building Codes
Building codes have their place. You want buildings to be built safely. But how exactly are building codes working against off-grid living?
Homesteaders, especially those desiring to live off-grid, are a special type of people who figure their own problems out and use their own hands to build their lives.
Building codes often don’t provide exceptions for these homesteaders, causing their structures to be met with the same scrutiny one would face when building in an urban populace.
Imagine this. You decide you need to build a new outdoor shed to allow you more storage space and to get your equipment out of the elements.
Related: Off-Grid Tools You Need to Have on Your Property
However, in many places, you can’t just build it. You must first purchase the necessary permits and then build everything up to code. If you plan to have any form of plumbing or self-generated electricity in this shed, you must get each step approved by a code inspector before moving on.
All of that seems to be acceptable until you also realize that each step and each structure then becomes of public record, which, besides meaning the general public can know what you have, leads us to our next section.
Taxes
When your property and structures are of public record, you are then liable for any additional taxes incurred on your property.
Depending on the adjuster, these taxes could be exaggerated to force you to change your lifestyle or leave your homestead.
Another side to the same coin is that municipalities aren’t going to want to lose tax income. If you build on your property without the proper permits and tax adjustments, you could face hefty fines. This makes doing research even more important to ensure you are protected against being taxed off your property.
Environmental Regulations
Environmental regulations are the epitome of a catch-22. On one hand, we want to protect our natural resources, ecosystems, and overall public health. On the other side, these EPA regulations can be used to deter or completely prohibit living off-grid in some locations.
These environmental regulations can control everything from waste disposal to rainwater collection. For example, some municipalities prohibit rainwater collection under the guise of it impeding water flow to dependent farms and waterways.
If you are collecting rainwater and want to make sure it is safe to drink, it’s best to filter it yourself. You can learn here a cheap and easy way to create an ingenious rainwater harvesting and purification system capable of storing 165 gallons of water.
Some local governments are also starting to crack down on waste disposal and use laws intended to control large landfills to control what you can do on a homestead.
One way is when it comes to composting.
Because composting deals with food waste, some interpret the laws to call a composting bin a landfill, thus forcing you to follow the same guidelines that a landfill would be required to. This adds more work and cost to your off-grid homestead.
Utility Regulations
While not a requirement, chances are you’re still going to have a source of power and water. Your source of water could be a nearby stream or rainwater collection and have little regulations. Electricity, however, is a different story.
Many local governing agencies have laws in place regarding renewable energy sources, such as turbines and solar. These laws often require these sources to still be connected to the grid and obtain necessary permits. The problem with this is that anything connected to the power grid then becomes susceptible to any attack on the power grid, such as an EMP attack.
More jurisdictions, however, have a way around having to connect to the grid, but this often requires a large fee to be paid. After all, if you’re not on the grid, they aren’t getting money from you, so they feel the need to recoup that loss.
From zoning regulations dictating what we can build to building codes demanding conformity, every step taken towards living off-grid seems to be met with hurdles put in place by bureaucrats. Then, living off-grid, defined by living free of being connected to public utilities, clashes with the desire of utility companies to make a hefty profit. Yet off-grid living is still a desirable lifestyle.
If you’re determined to overcome these obstacles and achieve true self-sufficiency, learn from the best. Ron and Joanna have been living off-grid for over 40 years, and their book, The Self-Sufficient Backyard, is packed with invaluable insights and practical tips.
Get your copy here and take the first step towards living a truly independent off-grid life!
You may also like:
5 Food Storage Myths That Are Ruining Your Stockpile
What to Do With All Your Frozen Food Once the Power Goes Out (Video)
Why You Need to Hide Your Harvested Rainwater
It’s not just greedy men, but greedy women too. Be fair.
Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Survival and prepping should take a moment to thank GOD and the veterans an freedom fighters who some gave and some gave all. That we have the freedom to enjoy our America, it is still our America regardless. Of greedy politicians, woke corporations and bureaucrats selling our country out to evil forces, such as China owning America’s farmlands. These farms are staging areas for a massive foriegn invasion of America.
Open border policy is bringing in many people to bankrupt our social services for Americans.
Anchor baby myth of bypassing legal citizenship is a lie. Either born here or come through legal migration lawfully to become an American citizen.
November 5th decides whether we are a nation of laws and equal justice of a one tiered justice system or a banana democracy.
We are not a democracy, we vote as a democracy but are a republic. The liberal Demoncrates lie of democracy we are an republic government with a deep swamp state rotting our country away. As seen with Clinton, Bush, Obama and Biden in current recent American history we taxpayers can understand.
There have been many other corrupt presidential administrations and Wilson is one currently tied to Biden.
Both first lady’s ran-run their incapacitated husband presidents by fiat, not being officially voted into office to run official business.
This 2024 presidential election is a vote for our future America.
God bless America!
Except for drug dealers, drug manufactures of illicit drug and human trafficking.
We need to eliminate them and don’t give any medical services to the drug users who if died right now would cut down the importation of elicited drugs.
Have tough love for the addicted, no losing sleep over them, they are causalities of the drug wars in America.
We pray to you God, help make us MAGA again.
Enjoy the 4th of July!
There is yet another way to side step the system, and that is with a boat!
You need no permission to add solar or collect rain , add a small floating jet ski dock a container garden and fish with a cane pole (no reel) I have a motorized bicycle for transportation with a child trailer for goods
I live in Hunt Co., Texas. It is the white trash capital of the world, can’t deny it, if you want to set up a meth lab and turn your property into a junkyard no one is going to stop you, and if neighbors complain the County Government makes it clear anything goes and they aren’t going to enforce codes or zoning. So it can be crappy living with no laws, but it is actually the greatest thing in the world. Most people are responsible and care for their property and neighbors, one of the greatest (and most threatened) of American rights is the right of freedom from government.
Does anyone ever question why the only beast, fish, or foul God created in earth that finds itself bound to pay something called money to be here and is forced to live within imaginary borders, is man? Crazy, isn’t it?
Did not God give man all the earth to rule freely if we obey Him? So, what on earth happened to man? How in hell did we screw up, and what do we need to do to repair this breach?
Solve this question, and all these oppressive religious, merchant, government corporations called US, UK, UN and all their parts, which all are of Rome and Satan and deceive and use God’s people to defend and protect them, will go away, but not by our hand.
Is it not written by Solomon, what man can straighten that which God made crooked? And, when man returns to righteousness, that God will straighten what He makes crooked?
Is it not also written that we are all sinners; that none of us is righteous, no, not one?
I’d say we need to read and follow what Scripture says from the Geneva Bible, the true complete Scripture within the limits called Bible, brought forward to us from God’s remnant and translated by the Reformers before Rome corrupted it with its Jesuits and its King James. That is, we need to repent our sins against God, amend our lives or death in the world, which is Rome, be baptized in God’s NAME, obey God’s commands, and seek only His government as stated in Isaiah 9:6-7.
Did not Solomon also finish with the words, Let us hear the end of all: fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Does anyone do this? Who worships Him on His Sabbath day for man? Who is not a usurer, an idolater, or a blasphemer who speaks of killing, beating, or restraining their fellow man in defense of some godless ideology which is a mask for covetousness and all other crimes?
We blew it in Genesis 3, then 1 Samuel 8, then continue on steroids, beyond self worship and the worship of another man, to worship dead idols such as corporations called nations, religions, schools, businesses, banks, entertainment, sports teams and their “stars” …
In short, we are the cause of our own injury. Ignorance of this cause is a sin, as it is written, but it is not a sin unto death, and is forgiveable to those who seek God’s kingdom and righteousness as a matter of law, not some airy-fairy religious teachings from false prophets.
At least think on these things. Nothing else is working, yes?
Religion and politics the great dividers of mankind. It is not us to question but to do and die, well BS!
In these final days leading up to the greatest election to tip the balance of liberal slave-ism or business minded people with a twist of honest religion back to the foundations our country is based on.
Always question authority especially those leaders in sanctuary blue states and Demoncrat run cities giving American citizenship to lawbreakers, illegals who are replacing honest hardworking Americans.
Yes the political motivated liberals will try to cheat again as they tried with the hanging chad and now mail in ballots dumped in at the last minute.
Electronic voting machines were hacked in the last election and liberals voted at least twice.
Paper and pen ballots, one day voting, exception of military and senior, disabled verified not being dead voters. And for God’s sake clean up the voter rolls of living and the dead voters, voter ID required.
America first, God first, God bless America.
I have a deep well powered by the grid. When the grid falls my backup is a 12 volt submersible pump , marine battery, and small solar panel. Pump works great at 85 feet and produces 5 gallons per minute. Having a gravity septic system is a blessing both for showers and toilet needs no permits needed, already done. Nothing obvious from onlookers. Cost for pump, panel, battery, hose and switches, $250-300. Wood heat helps. K1 FHA hardly goes on, but I have many kerosene lamps and a single burner kerosene pump up stove for $48 online. Mason jars AND lids are important if you want to make it through a New England winter. The government won’t save you, but it will try to own you. For the record, it took 5 years for my mulberry trees to bear fruit from planting. My point is that some things in prepping don’t always yield immediate rewards.
Thanks I just planted a mulberry tree this spring, I also germinate seed and plant them in public places all over the county
So what Matt is saying is that the #1 enemy of off grid living is government interference and bloated government bureaucracy. The author shouldn’t even mention California as we all know by now how truly whacked they are.
Living in Ca and I find the government does as little possible. I live in a 60 acre subdivision with 1/4-1/2 acre lots. They don’t enforce building codes or any county ordinance. We have 20 adults living in an 1800 sq ft house. More than 75% have structures covering the property to grow their pot. This has become Mexico.
I can’t sell and relocate. I live grey. I don’t publicly voice my opinion. I concentrate on making my home and life sustainable.
Anyone with an economic plan to my problem is welcome to comment. No experience, no comment.
Well said, Matt. You put into words what I have noticed happening in America for a long time, but it was slow going. Self governing, sustainable lifestyles, liberty, freedom to live without someone telling you what you can not do…these are the hallmarks of America and why this country is so great. and why so many people want to live here. There are powerful people in America, and around the world that want to take us out, put us down and under their control. They have indoctrinated millions with the idea of “believe me, I’ll take care of you” lie. We are in an unsustainable condition in too many ways, economically, energy, manufacturing…etc. Greed, the lust of our eyes, the desires of our flesh, pride…this is exactly what the Lord God says will go before our fall. How can there not be consequences for the lawlessness behavior we all see? I say start at the top and clean house.
Ronald Reagan said the 8 most dangerous words are “I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.”
Sorry, that was 9 words.
let us remember as already mentioned the US A is a corperation, See title 26 USc 3002 sub section 15, and weonly conscent to their rule their State Constitutions which if you ready carefullywithin the first article state that the constitution is for those interested or what not. So opt-out and send them a fee schedule should they want to engage in commerce with you for millions per minute, lOL! I am sure they will very quickly crawl back under the rock from which theseslime balls live!
Lets just take our lives back as the living being we are which also puts outside there jurisdiction! Remember their bankrupt and have no standing except for that which as fools people surrender to!
The government takes. They want us to believe we are free, but the government has already taken away most of our freedoms. The government is our enemy in every single area of our lives.
MOVEL YOUR ADS OFF THE MAIN PART OF PAGE. IT HIDES SOME OF THE WRITEN INFORMATION.
MOVE YOUR ADS OFF THE MAIN PART OF PAGE. IT HIDES SOME OF THE WRITEN INFORMATION.
and this is the first time to post here, never said this before anywhere on the internet.