Sustainable Home Tips: Complying with Zoning Ordinances Creatively

You want to live simply. A sustainable home is your ultimate goal. Zoning laws are dead set against it. What do you do? The way I see it, you have three choices. You can hang it up, break the law or get creative. After all, you don't want to go to jail over a vegetable garden. Complying with zoning laws is a given. Still, there are things you can do in the area of sustainable living that don't break the law. Why not try a few of these sustainable home alternatives as a compromise between you and the zoning department?

Rain barrels illegal in your county? They are in mine. That's OK. There are plenty of ways to get around this zoning ordinance. For one thing, you can save water in your home by placing a basin in your sink or shower. Use it to catch some or all of your non-toxic waste water. (Be sure to use environmentally friendly soaps and shampoos.) Dump the basin to water the garden and your house plants. At least it doesn't go down the drain, right?

Other water saving tips for your sustainable home:

*Insert cut off gallon milk jugs (with caps removed) upside down in the garden to collect rain water. They're self watering devices for your plants.

*Save on clothes washing water. Hang lightly soiled clothes out just before a rainstorm. Spritz with non-toxic laundry soap if needed.

*Carve natural gullies in your yard. Once you plant some grass over them, you won't even know they're there. Place so they lead rain water straight to your thirsty plants.

Craving garden vegetables? City zoning ordinances won't allow you to grow them in the front yard. That's alright, you have a backyard, right? No? Why not grow your veggies indoors, on a balcony or even on the roof? Locating your vegetable garden in unusual places complies with zoning ordinances and allows you to have fresh veggies. If you grow them indoors, you'll even have them year round.

Love farm fresh eggs? Want to raise chickens? Most large metropolitan areas have zoning ordinances against this. That's alright. Travel a mile or so outside city limits to get your farm fresh eggs. Local farmers sometimes sell direct to the consumer to save on overhead. I've also heard of people raising chickens in their basement. I don't recommend it. It doesn't appeal to me and I'm sure it's not compliant with zoning ordinances. Probably not very sanitary, either.

Use your imagination. Whatever your zoning ordinance dilemma, chances are there's a simple solution that doesn't break any laws. Sustainable homeowners are already creative thinkers. It shouldn't be a stretch to come up with something that satisfies zoning laws while allowing you to choose a low impact lifestyle. Who knows? You may invent something that's not only sustainable, but profitable.

More from this contributor:

Five Free Automatic Plant Watering Devices

No Time for Compost? Try These Homemade Natural Fertilizers

Five Eco-Friendly Window Cleaning Tips

Source:

Personal Experience