Officials” Say Camping on Your Own Property Is Now Illegal!

Costilla County, CO — Across the U.S., local zoning officials are making it increasingly difficult for people to go off the grid, in some instances threatening people with jail time for collecting rainwater or not hooking into local utilities.

As zoning laws have increasingly targeted the off-grid lifestyle, many have moved to the Southwestern U.S. as an escape from overzealous zoning officials.

In Costilla County, Colorado, there has been a major influx of off-grid residents to the San Luis Valley. The combination of lax zoning regulations, cheap property, and an already thriving community of self-reliant off-grid homesteaders has led to many new residents.

The off-grid lifestyle, enjoyed by an estimated 800 people, is now being threatened as county officials have recently made moves to essentially regulate and license the lifestyle into oblivion.

Tensions boiled over during a county commissioners’ meeting in San Louis, Colorado, devolving into a shouting match between homesteaders and police. One of the major points of contention is the county’s attempt to ban camping on your own property, in an effort to force the off-grid homesteaders back onto the grid.

“We are residents who have come to live off the grid. It’s all our land.” … “These are harsh economic times. We have nowhere to go,” twenty-year resident Paul Skinner said.

“We’ve been regulated out of life,” homesteader Robin Rutan told Colorado Public Radio. “I came here because I couldn’t live by the codes [in other regions].”

The county, which requires residents to have a camping permit to live in an RV, “small house” or other camp style home, has started to simply refuse the renewal of these permits.

This is obviously a major problem for homesteaders, who often live in such accommodations while building their permanent residents.

“They started enforcing the changes before they were actually made,” resident Chloe Everhart said.

Everhart said she performed due diligence prior to buying her land, with one of the most important aspects of the plan being a 90-day camping permit. Without a 90-day permit, camping on residential plots is only allowed for 14 days per every three months.

But just as Everhart was arriving, the board of commissioners instructed the planning and zoning commission to no longer issue camping permits.

In spite of her best efforts, Everhart is now an outlaw.

County land use administrator Matt Valdez disputes the claims that the county is trying to regulate people’s lifestyles out of existence. He says that his office has discretion to deny camping permits under existing code and claims that too many new residents were habitually renewing permits meant to be temporary.

“We’re not trying to drive people off their property,” Valdez said.

Valdez said he simply wants to make sure already established rules are followed for aesthetic and safety reasons.

The vilification of people who choose to live an alternative lifestyle is extremely commonplace in modern America.

While there may be legitimate issues that need to be addressed, people have a right to use land that they own in the manner they see fit. To use the technicalities of the law to essentially evict people from land they own reeks of tyrannical overreach and oppression of personal liberty.

Update: The county has dropped it’s planned zoning changes under increased public scrutiny, but they continue to refuse to issue 90-day camping permits to the off-grid land owners.

thefreethoughtproject.com...

I have no problem with zoning or passing laws about camping on your property if you live in the city or a gated Community that is understandable.

However, living way in the country side or on the open plains of no where should be left alone in my opinion. What is wrong with people living off the grid? I see nothing wrong with it.

What I do see that bothers me is the filthy greed in our local governments, who look for every way to extort money from the poor.

The rate things are going with local governments, I would not be surprised if they start passing laws that it will be illegal to be homeless.

This is exactly what I expected with a government that has grown to big for We The People.

So, ATS what is your take on this issue?

a reply to: Informer1958

here ya go

a reply to: Informer1958

I have been seeing this pattern at every level of government across the country. From the anecdotal evidence, it is even worse in the UK and Europe.

Ordinarily, I would say sell your property and leave immediately for better pastures but, it sounds like these people already voted with their feet. At a certain point it becomes scurrying under rocks like frightened vermin.

My recommendation is to fire everyone involved. It's just that simple and completely doable at the scale of a town or county.

Recall elections, deprecation candidates, whatever is necessary to communicate the message.

a reply to: Vector99

Thank you, can I put it on my post?

What is the reason that they deny people camping on their own property
It's a bit strange

a reply to: Informer1958

It's your vid! I just linked it right for you

It is big joke for candidates.

Freedom is disappearing in this country at a dizzying pace.

a reply to: greencmp

My recommendation is to fire everyone involved. It's just that simple and completely doable at the scale of a town or county.

Recall elections, deprecation candidates, whatever is necessary to communicate the message.

I agree.

It is getting to a point that our government has violated our rights under the Constitutions of not allowing us to make free choices to how one wants to live.

The government has become intrusive in our lives, and are now looking to pass unconstitutional laws to extort money.

What I mean about money? To force us to ask permission and pay for a permit, more is not enough with these people.

a reply to: Informer1958

Google Earth of the San Luis Valley

I notice it's basically a farming community, I wonder if they are growing pot. They are allowed to, but it has to be fully enclosed and locked per CO law.

Marijuana must be grown in a fully enclosed and locked space, whether indoors or outdoors.

source

I'm intrigued, definitely looking into this place more. Been looking for a small town to move to soon.

Well now, we can't let them live off grid because it wouldn't be fair to the utility companies, would it. How are utility companies suppose to survive when people refuse to use their services? Besides, how can they track you if you refuse their 'smart meters'...

And of course it should be illegal to collect rainwater. It's important that everyone drinks laced city water.

These residents are completely out of line thinking that they can do what they want on their own property. Luckily, these pesky residents will still have to pay taxes on property they 'own'.

It's time the local officials cracked down on this nonsense and force conformity at any cost. Freethinking isn't welcomed in a socialist utopia.

originally posted by: Informer1958
a reply to: greencmp

My recommendation is to fire everyone involved. It's just that simple and completely doable at the scale of a town or county.

Recall elections, deprecation candidates, whatever is necessary to communicate the message.

I agree.

It is getting to a point that our government has violated our rights under the Constitutions of not allowing us to make free choices to how one wants to live.

The government has become intrusive in our lives, and are now looking to pass unconstitutional laws to extort money.

What I mean about money? To force us to ask permission and pay for a permit, more is not enough with these people.

Well said, the right to be left alone is no joke.

The only thing I will add is that these people are our neighbors, friends and family.

This is an ideological problem that can only be addressed by directly challenging the ideology of authoritarian interventionism. Otherwise, this will just keep happening.

a reply to: ghostrager

It's time the local officials cracked down on this nonsense and force conformity at any cost. Freethinking isn't welcomed in a socialist utopia.

Soooo true...

a reply to: greencmp

Well said, the right to be left alone is no joke.

The only thing I will add is that these people are our neighbors, friends and family.

This is an ideological problem that can only be addressed by directly challenging the ideology of authoritarian interventionism. Otherwise, this will just keep happening.

I agree.

The only problem is what will it take to get Americans off their *^&% and do something about it. Because what I am witnessing right now in america is that most Americans are in a coma.

I see why the county is going after them. They are quickly becoming the majority of the population of the county. Those in power are really threatened by this I'm guessing. Population of the county is only about 3,600. That low of a population and an off-grid movement could very easily move in and claim all elected positions of government.

I'm REALLY interested in moving there now.

a reply to: Informer1958

a reply to: Vector99

see why the county is going after them. They are quickly becoming the majority of the population of the county. Those in power are really threatened by this I'm guessing. Population of the county is only about 3,600. That low of a population and an off-grid movement could very easily move in and claim all elected positions of government.

I'm REALLY interested in moving there now.

Thank you for the great video I am watching right now..

originally posted by: Informer1958
a reply to: greencmp

Well said, the right to be left alone is no joke.

The only thing I will add is that these people are our neighbors, friends and family.

This is an ideological problem that can only be addressed by directly challenging the ideology of authoritarian interventionism. Otherwise, this will just keep happening.

I agree.

The only problem is what will it take to get Americans off their *^&% and do something about it. Because what I am witnessing right now in america is that most Americans are in a coma.

I don't know how long it will take but, I believe that merely talking sense to our immediate acquaintances will eventually turn the tide.

Logic is despised by demagogues and for good reason, we must win this debate overtly and on the intellectual merits of rationality.

"As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose–that it may violate property instead of protecting it–then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder."

-Frédéric Bastiat

a reply to: Vector99

I dint know the local government could tax the food stamp program? This is illegal.

a reply to: Informer1958


The answer is simple, if the government don't like the way you live and request that you stop. then that's ok, as long as they pay for the alternative.