Hey, got a question for ya'all

[Naked In Florida]

Hey its me, havnt posted in awhile but I thought about something and I have a question. Ok I know its legal to go nude in your own backyard as long as its tottaly hidden, thats correct right. As long as no one can see in you can go nude. Well I live in Florida and I live in my parents house and we have a wooden fence around the whole backyard that does block out the publics view. And our house backs up to a busy street, thats where the fence is.

Well my problem is my f*cked up town, sorry for the language. They want to sometime in the next year or two forcefully have all the homeowners remove the wooden fences and put up a chain link fence, which you coud obiviously see through. They also want us to plant bushes to grow in front of them to protect our privacy but how well can bushes do that and also it will take months for them to fill out and even then they wont protect from people seeing in.

So now what happens if I go nude in my backyard after this is done and I get seen by someone and they report me? Is there anything I can do? I am on my own property and I have the right to go nude dont I? The town made me loose my right to privacy and did I mention we are going to have to pay for it. I mean we "my parents" have to pay to loose their privacy. What is wrong with society today or is just South Florida thats screwed up?

Any thoughts or help would be much appericated,

Thanks Evan

[Naked In Florida]

Hey its me, havnt posted in awhile but I thought about something and I have a question. Ok I know its legal to go nude in your own backyard as long as its tottaly hidden, thats correct right. As long as no one can see in you can go nude. Well I live in Florida and I live in my parents house and we have a wooden fence around the whole backyard that does block out the publics view. And our house backs up to a busy street, thats where the fence is.

Well my problem is my f*cked up town, sorry for the language. They want to sometime in the next year or two forcefully have all the homeowners remove the wooden fences and put up a chain link fence, which you coud obiviously see through. They also want us to plant bushes to grow in front of them to protect our privacy but how well can bushes do that and also it will take months for them to fill out and even then they wont protect from people seeing in.

So now what happens if I go nude in my backyard after this is done and I get seen by someone and they report me? Is there anything I can do? I am on my own property and I have the right to go nude dont I? The town made me loose my right to privacy and did I mention we are going to have to pay for it. I mean we "my parents" have to pay to loose their privacy. What is wrong with society today or is just South Florida thats screwed up?

Any thoughts or help would be much appericated,

Thanks Evan

[florida-david]

I am an architect in south florida and my wife is a planner. sometimes personal rights get trampled on for the greater good of all people. you are not alone. first you need to find out how high you can grow the hedge. as long as you are allowed 6', than your privacy is assured. if you are only allowed three or four feet, than you will need two layers of landscaping (the low hedge with something taller behind). there are many hedges that will provide the privacy you are after. if you still want more privacy than a single row of hedges will provide(assuming you have a big enough backyard), than put some other landscaping in front of the hedge and with the two of them, no one will ever be able to see through. and if they do see through, than they are peeping toms. i am currently waiting for my landscaping to grow in since i do not like the look of 6' high wooden fences(they deteriorate and require constant maintenance to look good). a little patience will get what you want and also serve the community at large.

[David77]

While on the subject of landscaping for privacy - Has anyone used live bamboo plants as part of a privacy barrier? I am referring to the kind that grow possibly up to 10 feet tall and spread their growth of closely packed bamboo plants very quickly. I have heard that a person has quite a task containing the plants from spreading everywhere.

[nudist_in_Tn]

I grew bamboo as a privacy barrier and it works quiet well, as far as the spreading it does not grow uncontrolably but it must be groomed weekly while the new shoots are small, a lawn mower does the trick very well, when you get the desired portion of your yard covered you will be pleased with the results but this could take as long as a couple of years, I have had some mature plants reach a height of 20 ft. or more its like anything else a little TLC and imagination will be the only requirements and water of course lots of water. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[David77]

Tenn,
Thank you very much for your reply. I may get some bamboo plants. I would feel like a sign, "No peek-a-boo through the bamboo".

[florida-david]

WARNING, WARNING - there are different types of bamboo and each responds differently in different climates. there are several varieties available in south florida that spread and grow easily 30 feet high. other varieties don't spread and stay small. check it out on the internet before you buy one and are surprised at how they have taken over your yard...

[Bob S.]

This would depend on your parents' thoughts, but how about trying to challenge the law? Why are they attempting to institute this law? And how, as David put it, is this "for the greater good of all people"?

I'm sure that there will be a good number of homeowners who will raise a really big stink about this. Don't take it sitting down. This is about basic property rights and how far a government can go in dictating what a homeowner puts up. And if it does pass, I am to assume that the town will be paying for the demolition of all fences and the installation of the chain link ones?

Bob S.

[David77]

Florida-David,
Thank you for your reply, warning and information. There is someone in our community who advertised bamboo for sale. It is obtained from that growing in his/her backyard. I have never spoken with him/her. I got a brief glimpse of the bamboo as I passed by in my car. Therefore I may go over there and buy some. Thanks again.

[FireProf]

LuckyHeart,

Are your neighbors in favor of this change to chain link fencing. I would at least try and fight city hall. I can't think of any good for anyone in your city it is to infringe on your privacy.

I would canvas the neighborhood, find other neighbors who disagree with the fence change issue and start a petition. Try to stop them from forcing you to put up a fence that deprives you of your privacy.

Do you know how long it will take a hedge to grow the width of your yard...6ft high??

Regardless of your being a nudist and sunbathing in your yard naked. This privacy issue affects those in their homes that will not be seen from this busy street. Your city has no right to do this without a fight and knowing that their citizens don't like it! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img]

[florida-david]

ok, here i go, - fight for your rights (twisted sister). why not, at least you will know why they are causing this hardship for you. and if that does not work, go to the commission meeting with your bamboo and beat the heck out of them with it!!! (just kiddding of course...)

[Naturist Mark]

quote:

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Originally posted by LuckyHeart811:
[qb]They want to sometime in the next year or two forcefully have all the homeowners remove the wooden fences and put up a chain link fence, which you coud obiviously see through. [/qb]

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It's unusual for a new zoning reg to apply to previous existing structures. Normally they would be 'grandfathered' and not subject to the new rules unless some major changes were made to the property requiring the whole to be brought up to the new codes.

They may *want* you to take down your existing fences and replace them with chain link, but they probably can't force you unless they pay for it.

-Mark

[threadbare]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by florida-david:
[QB] ok, here i go, - fight for your rights (twisted sister).]
Coming from a 40 year old "Metal Head" that was by the BEASTIE BOYS [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
I stand corrected TS did it too [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

On another note: Don't plant bamboo anywhere near asphalt, it will come up through the asphalt. Once bamboo gets started it is some tough s**t. And even tougher to get rid of!!!

[Naked In Florida]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Guest]

You can contain bamboo by putting a barrier underground so it can't spread.

However, I think he should fight it because I can't see them forcing someone to make their back yard less private. Fences ain't cheap!