When it comes to code bending home repairs, I like to remember to the late artist Chris Burden’s mega-shed project, “Small Skyscraper.” Burden discovered an odd loophole in the City of Los Angeles’ building code which allowed anyone to build a shed no more than 400 square feet but, oddly, 35 feet tall. So, back in 2003, Burden built a 35 foot tall shed/skyscraper. Embarrassed city officials soon closed the loophole.

Burden was probably best known for having himself shot and crucified in the name of performance art, but I remember him for making it impossible to build the backyard tower I’ve always wanted.