Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

What is scary, there are probably twice as many people in the neighborhood who think my gardens and everything are soooooo cooooool and bring friends and family by to visit when they are in town!!!!! So it really is the actions of the few, ruining it for the many.

Sigh.

Oh, and if I did have a fence, it probably would encourage those complainer people to come peak over it to see what there is to complain about. "What's she doing in there?"

But we probably won't be shutting up those people till the fall of the current commercialism system that encourages those people that we all must have the utmost regulated top of the line everything "keeping up with the Jones's" sort of mentality. Yea they want to be seen as the best but they also have to make sure everyone lives up to a certain level of appearances because we wouldn't want any real individuality here. "And how dare you eat something that was growing outside, nature might have contaminated it?!?!?!?!?!"

It is unfortunate that some people are bored and ignorant. There is always a handful in a neighborhood that dwells on the "misdeeds" of their neighbors and one or two that will actually take action. Fortunately, we do not have to deal with "Hot Fuzz" type activists trying to remove our blight on their neighborhood, just well-meaning (I assume) and misguided <people>.

Good luck, TCLynx.

Don't let the bastards get you down TC!

Maybe you can tell all the folks that love it that someone is complaining and find out who it is.

Does it matter how the plastic is supported - like can it be suspended from rather than on top of the wire? Close reading of the regulations might come in handy to find a way out.

Good luck!!

Part of me wants to say, "Screw them!" and keep on trucking. FIND a way around the regs and then thumb yer nose at 'em... 'Course, I know, you have to live in the neighborhood and don't want to be at odds with the county....

Did you take the inspector on a tour so he has a clue what you are trying to accomplish? May be able to gain some points by explaining the system and that 'even the NY Times' recently ran an article about sustainable AP systems...'

Hmmm...

CB

I'm not sure I even want him to realize what is in the "system". I think I might be better off letting them think it is just garden beds and a water feature there.

They might think it is all great and wonderful but since the code doesn't really cover such things, they might decide I have to pull it out or get a permit. (I don't think there is a permit that fits this situation so I'm not sure I want to try that.)

Put it this way, apparently "Harvesting" is not an approved use of a residential property. Now so far the County hasn't taken that to mean that some one can't have a Garden where they harvest fruit and veggies but some HOA's around have used that regulation to stop people in their neighborhoods from having backyard gardens trying to say that food production should only take place on Agricultural land.

I'm not sure I'm up to turning this into a political battle and the fact that I don't have a permit to build the structures, well I'm gonna try to avoid the battle and do what I need to do to make them think all is fine. They don't need to know how I grow my garden or what is in my compost because as far as I know, gardens and compost are all fine. I also don't want them to take too much notice of the chickens. They are fine as long as no one complains that they are a nuisance, if they don't notice them, they obviously are not a nuisance. If I get too much attention though, that could all change.

Notice here, I'm not an attention seeker.

I know you don't want attention or play politics, but maybe getting a petition drive for your setup is just what you need. Most code enforcers don't want to end up in a legal action and wind up looking like a fool or Jack A... Could pose the idea to people that visit your setup. I'm sure some vegetables that actually have taste given strategically might garner support.

Code enforcers around here use bully tactics , and run when confronted. Also, your system should be grandfathered in on any new codes passed. Of course, I don't live in your area, so the rules that work here may not apply.

Bah, I just typed a long reply to this and somehow the site lost it all, but in summary:

Sorry to hear about your problems, there are people in England who are like this, they have nothing in their lives, so they seek to make other people's lives difficult, I'm sure these people exist everywhere.

I wish there was something I could do to help, you are one of the most helpful people on the forum.

Good luck with the situation, hope it works out.

cheers for now and again, good luck

Dui.

When all these hod nobs are around dont let it slip that you pee in your fish tank
Then aagain when they are there give them some veggies to tast then when they have finished them tell them you pee in your tanks

A bit, but I was researching backyard chickens.
Let's see, HOA says I can't run a business from home. City says I can have chickens with a "note from my doctor presented to the Health Officer who issues a permit." LOL that still cracks me up!

Haven't researched the codes for either authority regarding legless livestock. I have started talking to the County and State agricultural extension offices and they are both in favor of aquaponics and backyard chickens... Yes the Harris County Ag Extension agent has heard of AP and wants some AP advocates/teachers for his Rolodex!!

I relish the thought of a legal tussle. I like that kind of stuff, if there's a loophole I can find it and come up with three ways to use it.

Rick

Ya - my HOA says no chickens or fowl of any sort. Funny thing is, every bird imaginable is able to fly in and stay - I'm just not allowed to "keep" them. Never mind the plague of squirrels we have. And believe it or not there is (or was - have not seen him in a while) a wild rooster that wonders the neighborhood.

Mark

There have been roosters in our neighborhood, I can hear them but I don't have any myself. The hens are noisy enough for me. I really like my almost silent Muscovy ducks though.

I don't think there will be an issue with the Aquaponics system. I might just have to do some modifications to take down the roof.

And by the way, the code enforcement officers usually seem pretty cool around here. But if some one complains on your, they have to check it out and "sigh" this is one of those counties that you can't do much of anything without a building permit.

Those people complaining probably think you are up to no good like growing whoopy weed etc, but those people complaining are probably up to no good themselves. Get the IRS onto 'em. !!!