Facing the Zoning Monster
by Sharon Astyk, February 12th, 2009
Over the last 50 years, food and zoning laws have worked to minimize subsistence activities in populated areas. Not only have we lost the culture of subsistence, but we’ve instituted legal requirements that make it almost impossible for many people to engage in simple subsistence activities that cut their energy use, reduce their ecological impact, improve their food security and improve their communities.
Among the basic subsistence activities legislated against by towns, cities and housing developments are:
1. Clotheslines instead of dryers.
2. No livestock, but large pets are acceptable.
3. No front yard gardens.
4. No rainwater collection.
5. No commerce of any kind.
Tags: Communities, Ecological impact, Energy use, Food security, Front yard gardens, Home commerce, Livestock, Rainwater, Subsistence, Zoning
