#3: Backyard Fences Were Forbidden
Fences were forbidden in early Levittown developments because planners wanted neighborhoods to look open, continuous, and visually uniform. That meant the suburban dream came without much backyard privacy. Residents eventually pushed against the restriction, especially as swimming pools became more common and families wanted enclosed yards. Still, the original rule captured the era perfectly: the neighborhood was supposed to look spacious and neighborly, even if that required keeping your neighbor permanently visible from the patio.
