That's not always how things work. If you attempt to build something without a permit, the inspector will break out a can of spray paint and mark materials so you cannot resell or use them after getting a permit. That's on top of any fines. If you do get a permit, you have to buy all of that material again. Building a fence too high will see you having to take down that fence.

Some places not in tech actually have ways of dealing with "disruptors"