Those of us within the United States should remain aware that the
navigation throughout the waterways is free to the public and
anchoring is a function of navigating. Certainly there are safer and more protected anchorages, but "free" should not be referred to as an exception.
The exceptions for anchoring are within marked channels and restricted areas that are marked on
charts near military areas; cable crossings; adjacent to bridges and port facilities, etc.
There are designated areas for anchoring marked on
charts that often do not require an
anchor light within their boundary, but this does not eliminate the choice to
anchor outside these areas with the proper
lighting and outside channels.
There has been an increase in city ordinances that overstep the federal laws giving public rights to navigation and many of these have been well accepted and are difficult to ignore.
All this considered, I think that it's best for us to keep the awareness that "free" is the norm and "restricted" is the exception to navigation.