Thanks for the post Byrdman, you reminded why I moved to Alaska! I feel for you and all those who face such intense oversight!
Let's see, there are four boats out in front of my house, in the driveway, next to the toy shed, etc. There is another one right smack dab next to the front door in plain sight of everyone. At any given time there is at least one dog or cat from the neighborhood "trespassing" on our property, deer eating the roses, and an eagle or two out hunting for those smaller cats and dogs. We get ravens ripping into the trash and spreading it out to attract the brown bears that hang out in the woods right behind us. As I look out over the rippled water crashing into numerous small islands, humpback flukes, sea lions, sea otters, puffins and other creatures going about their everyday lives I can see the neighbors 200 odd horse Yamaha just waiting for his next skiff casually sitting in the weeds that are now close to four feet high. There is that old Ford truck just waiting till he finds that starter somewhere in town. Next to that is an old King trailer for some odd boat he had years go, wonder if it will rust before the old home made trailer that the other neighbor has?
As to garage sales, well that's kinda of our social gathering up here! When you live on a small island with no "big box" stores with greeters at the door, garage sales are what we do when we need something cheap and toss-able. Neighbor having a garage sale? Hey great! Here's some stuff we need to get rid of, plus then we can just hang out and yack with friends we have not seen in a week.
What we don't have much if is lawyers and do-gooders trying to force their fees and views down our throats. Heck, need venison? Come on over to our place with a bow and arrow and you can take one of those bucks mucnhing on my wife's plants, just so long as you share!
For those who dislike the insane rules, regulations, traffic, crime and "politically correct" crap that have overcome the lower 48, there are so many great places up here you could lose yourself in. Want to garage sale yourself to death? Want to park a 1948 dumptruck in your front yard and let 30 foot trees grow in it? Welcome to the neighborhood! Bet you're a great addition! Just remember, winter lasts 11 months!
As to those who find stepping in dog manure a legal issue that requires immediate police action, you'll hate it here! Dog poop happens!
I know, the big question is, does all this affect home prices? HECK NO! You'll pay twice as much for half the house you'll find anywhere else! Doesn't matter what is parked next door!
WHY?
Because so many people want to move up here and get away from that mess down South!
Mediaman, I'm sure you didn't mean to piss anyone off. Sorry if it becomes a legal matter. Sad that making a mistake has become such a huge issue! Heck, could be worse, your dog could have pooped on the neighbor's lawn while you were having a garage sale to earn cash to pay for a new boat to park in the driveway!