this isnt a constitutional issue. its a legal or contractual one.
this is all HOA related shit with very few exceptions. if you want to grow shit in your front yard, you need make sure your HOA does not explicitly disallow it.
HOA's range from the type that basically just look out for burnt out cameros on blocks in front lawns and year round christmas decorations... all the way to HYPER strict closed gate old people HOA's where you have to get roofing shingles approved... landscaping approved... no oil stains... no children in permanent residency, no dogs/cats etc etc.
i dont see how people can bitch about HOA restrictions when they agree to them. especially when you can usually get variances or tacit approvals from the association before hand.
regarding HOA's in particular, unless we are talking about a very "tight" HOA... 9 times out of 10 they just wants to know about what you are doing before hand and have SOME input.
i dont know how to explain it... but just bring them a sketch and a paint samples makes the board feel involved and important and FAR more amenable to anything out of the ordinary.
like when i redid all of the soffit and fascia, they were notified that this and that was going to be taking place, and that it was going to be a slow rehab job owing to the extent of work, but ultimatly a big improvement... and they are like fine what ever and attach documents to the email detailing all of the restrictions and shit.
had i not notified them? id be getting letters all day about building materials on the drive way and missing trim and what ever else.
im guessing that had this person approached the HOA during a meeting with a conceptual sketch he could have avoided all of this bullshit and this jerkoff press attention.