To comply with the ordinance that requires boats to be hidden behind fences, a fence with a realistic boat design was installed.

In Seaside, California, authorities told residents to hide their boats behind fences, leading to the unusual construction of a fence with a realistic depiction of a boat.

Seaside California resident commissioners mural to spite local officials

Seaside, California's 'Parking and Loading Ordinance' requires that boats, campers, etc. be kept at home with a fence at least 6 feet (about 1.8 meters) high on the front and sides. Etienne Constable, who lives in Seaside, was in violation of this ordinance, and received a notice from the authorities stating that 'continued violation of the ordinance will result in a fine of $100 (about 16,000 yen).'

To comply with the ordinance, Constable put up a fence in front of the boat. So far, it seems like a normal exchange, but then Constable's next-door neighbor, artist Hanif Panni , got involved. Panni started painting on the fence that Constable had put up.

Before you know it, a realistic boat was painted on the fence, and a strange piece of art appeared in a residential area: a boat hidden by a fence but completely visible.

This is what the finished fence looks like.

If you look closely you'll see that the boat is very detailed.

Panni commented on the reason for drawing the boat on the fence, 'I wanted to help Mr. Constable overcome the 'bureaucratic hurdles' in a creative way while following the rules. In addition, Seaside Councilman Alexis Garcia Arrazola said, 'I applaud the creative approach that showed a community-led solution rather than just following the rules,' and showed a favorable attitude towards the fence with the boat drawn on it.

Constable reportedly paid Panni well over $100 for the service.