City, country, it doesn't matter. In my town (and others I have lived in in NH) all it takes are the few busy-bodies who run the town to vote themselves in a new ordinance and you are in trouble. If you bring home a purple pontoon boat, the couple people on the zoning board vote that purple pontoon boats are not allowed within view of neighbors, or even on your property at all, and you have to get rid of the boat.
In my old town, I wanted to start a small garage. My property was zoned Commercial/Residential. The town had a 1-man zoning board, who just happened to own a garage almost across the street from me. Word got around, and POOF, my property was rezoned to Residential only. No hopes of a garage there.
In pretty much any town in this state, the majority of the neighbors rule, or else 1 big-mouthed one who makes trouble ends up ruling. If they don't like my Deuce, a few phone calls or a meeting with the selectmen and/or zoning board and Military vehicles will suddenly be a violation. I keep myself somewhat safe by letting people know that if the town gives me a hard time, I'll make sure I have a yard my neighbors will absolutely HATE, but it will comply. Pink house maybe, I can paint my vehicles with florescent paint that glows at night, maybe install a bunch of spotlights that light the area up like daylight. We are allowed animals, so I remind them what duck crap smells like on a hot day, and how many would fit on my 3 acres.
There are no such things as property rights any more. We can only blame ourselves, everyone likes restrictions on anything that doesn't affect us and don't fight new regulations...UNTIL they suddenly DO affect us. By then its too late.
The only solution is to spread the word, and take on the towns and cities.
Jim