[didibus]

> a criminal offense - same as would happen to anyone else who illegally builds on public lands

Are you sure this is the case? Any lawyer out here?

Is building on public land a criminal offence? What kind of penalty can you be looking at for doing so?

I assume this must often happen where one building potentially extends slightly beyond it's lot lines, so could you get criminally charged in those cases?

[kristjansson]

If you build over your lot lines, or build more than allowed by a conservation agreement, or build without securing permits, or violate local building laws in any number of other ways, your local government (when they find out) will ask you to tear it down. If you don’t, you will be compelled (fines, probably). If you refuse, your structure will be torn down, and you might go to jail.