Anyone ever fought a city ordinance and won?



I think sometimes its the neighbors who complain.. then they send bylaw around. Some neighbors complain about everything.

I saw one vehicle parked on the street with a fine for having a for sale sign in the window... you can't even sell you car! Others always want to run your life for you.

The more complaints there are, the more often bylaw will be in your neighborhood.

My biggest one was an underground stream that flooded the basement of a rental property... they basically wanted me to spend unlimited amounts of money to make the water disappear without draining into the sewer. I argued that they had responsibility to allow a place for it to go. Got contacted by a lawyer and they threatened to sue me. Finally I stopped sending letters and playing their game.. decided if they wanted to sue, let them. I think they decided that they might loose or that it wasn't worth it because they backed down. I never hear a word anymore.

I think sometimes you need to take a stand.
 
Man, I feel sorry for you people - it sounds like you live in a fascist state.

I mean, London parking is bad (they will use any excuse to give you a ticket if you park on the road), but what you do in your own driveway is your private business.
 
You ever wonder if why they sent you the ordinances in the first place is cuz they figured you're able to pay even if your tenants aren't :P

They sent it to me because I'm the registered owner of the house, they don't know or care who lives there.
 
Court date set for next month. Wish me luck. Today I went around my neighborhood documenting all the "violations." Turns out the city manager has 2 violations of city ordinance on his property... this could get interesting.
 
I think sometimes its the neighbors who complain.. then they send bylaw around. Some neighbors complain about everything.

I saw one vehicle parked on the street with a fine for having a for sale sign in the window... you can't even sell you car! Others always want to run your life for you.

The more complaints there are, the more often bylaw will be in your neighborhood.

My biggest one was an underground stream that flooded the basement of a rental property... they basically wanted me to spend unlimited amounts of money to make the water disappear without draining into the sewer. I argued that they had responsibility to allow a place for it to go. Got contacted by a lawyer and they threatened to sue me. Finally I stopped sending letters and playing their game.. decided if they wanted to sue, let them. I think they decided that they might loose or that it wasn't worth it because they backed down. I never hear a word anymore.

I think sometimes you need to take a stand.