Nobody's supposed to ignore the law, but nobody can know every law; it's impossible.
Even a fire insurance contract can be very complex and need interpretations.
For instance, storm and hail are covered, but not floods. However, there's a new contract that does cover them; but then, there are exceptions where it won't be covered anyway.
But I was wondering: citizens would want to build a building on some place. Obviously, you need a permit for that: not just because the already installed owners, in the neighborhood, have a right to a view (viewing servitude) or to an access (passage servitude) but also because the terrain might be dangerous-risk of landslides, but most of all: floods!- The entrepreneurs might not know this; only geologists would and they relate to the town, not directly to the entrepreneurs. The town authorities must therefore have the right to decide upon the opportunity to build.
I agree with you, Steve.

Raoul