She immediately protested.

“It’s on my property.”

“Part of it may not be.”

That changed everything.

A survey marker near the back corner showed that one side of the shed extended across the boundary by several inches, while the concrete pad beneath it also violated the city’s setback requirements.

The inspector explained that she would need to provide a current survey and permits.

She had neither.

Then he noticed the electrical line running to the shed.

That installation had not been permitted either.

Her eyes filled with tears.

“I just wanted his fence checked.”

The inspector remained calm.

“And his fence passed.”

Within days, she received formal notices requiring her to correct the violations.

The shed eventually had to be moved, the electrical work inspected, and part of the concrete removed.

I never celebrated in front of her.

I did not need to.

For weeks, she had treated city regulations like a weapon she could point at everyone else.

Then one inspection reminded her of something very simple.

Rules really were rules.

They just applied on both sides of the fence.