Government bodies develop zoning regulations to enhance the peaceful enjoyment of every member of a community’s property. These regulations are part of a larger land-use plan that separates commercial, retail and residential areas. Few would disagree that zoning rules prove beneficial in the overall scheme of things. But by that same token, they also represent an encumbrance on...

Installing a six-foot fence generally improves backyard privacy while increasing property values. But the price tag associated with fencing materials and labor often requires homeowners to invest thousands of dollars. And after the wood or composite structure has been erected, it will require maintenance, repairs and eventually need to be replaced. Those rank among the wide-reaching reasons an...