Fencing: Numerous surveyed municipalities in Canada and the United States have fence bylaws governing the cost sharing of standard chain-link fencing located on property lines. In Ontario, a neighbor who refuses to share costs can be charged under local fence bylaws or can have a lien registered against his home. Most other non-traditional fencing may be optional for required homeowner cost sharing. In some areas, fencing bylaw states that the best fence 'face' must always be on the neighbor's side.

British bylaws can be a little varied. For example, a homeowner in Britain whose garden shed was frequently vandalized erected a barbed wire fence. He was ordered to remove it, not because of non-compliance with local bylaws, but because it might injure potential thieves!

Fire hydrants: Some homeowners view hydrants as eyesores and attempt to camouflage them. However, surveyed American and Canadian cities have strict hydrant regulations. Every municipality has rules that govern hydrant maintenance and alteration. Homeowners must ensure hydrants are clear of obstruction and must never paint them without permission.

Most British fire hydrants are underground, designated by a bright yellow 'H' above-ground marker. Residents are asked to keep the area around the marker clear.

The front or boulevard garden: Many North American homebuyers are unaware that local municipalities have rights to 10' to 20' of their property, measuring from the curb inwards, to enable sidewalk, lighting or roadway expansion. In many Canadian and American municipalities, permission to alter this area of sodded landscape is difficult to obtain. An unsuspecting buyer may have to remove any existing improvements and restore the area. Having a landscaper do this could be expensive.

The opposite is true in England, where many municipalities encourage homeowners to develop front gardens. However, many surveyed British communities demand that homeowners submit an application if they decide to cover any part of a front-yard garden with a non-porous material such as asphalt, which encourages run-off. Application fees can be expensive, with no guarantee of acceptance.