Nasty Neighbor - Who do I call in Spokane county?

Our neighbor is upset over our trees, since we have no legal responsibility and have refused to cut them down she is upset and is looking for anyway to be a nasty neighbor. Her words, not mine. She hasn't had a problem with our chickens for two years but now because she can't bully us into doing what she wants she is going to report our chickens and ducks. I'm not sure who to call and where to look to find the county ordinances on this. I live a block from the Idaho state line in "Newman Lake" area. We have both chickens and ducks and are hoping we're within the limits. Please Help!

I personally would walk right over, tell her she's a bully and it won't be tolerated and she ain't seen nasty until she's dealt with me. Then follow up with calling her bluff and telling her to please call, because I've got a list of violations to report her for. But I tend to pour gasoline on a fire when someone else starts it. This is why I don't live near people.

But seriously... you are within city limits and got fowl without checking the ordinance? There may be nothing you can do if you are in violation. Start with googling your towns ordinance. Chickens may be under livestock, and sometimes municipalities include all livestock in their animal ordinances sections. Many places have the ordinances online. If that doesn't work, then a call to city hall to find out where they are published and you can read them yourself. Don't just take someone's word for what they are. Many people will just give you the easiest answer they can think of.

I'm not in city limits but I'm within Spokane county.

deeds said:

Our neighbor is upset over our trees, since we have no legal responsibility and have refused to cut them down she is upset and is looking for anyway to be a nasty neighbor....

Click to expand...

I'm not sure if it means anything to your cause but.....

What is she upset about specifically in regards to the trees? How old are the trees and who lived there first?

You need to make sure you are allowed to have your animals first. If you are not allowed, I would clean up those trees so she wouldn't report you (although the damage could already be done)

If you are well within your legal laws to have the animals, then I would continue to not clean up the trees.

Sometimes you can call up the sheriff and they will be able to give you a quick answer (they may not always be correct)

A quick google search pulled this up

https://static.spokanecity.org/documents/projects/urbanfarming/urban-agriculture-faqs.pdf

It seems to depend on how much room you have for how many animals you have.

It does look like some of the stipulations are you have to take a class on owning chickens, and no roosters.

If you are not within city limits, you are not subject to their ordinances or zoning. You are subject to any county ordinances and zoning for where you actually live. Find out what you are and are not allowed. I do think that trying to find out what your neighbor's issues with your trees is important, and letting them know why you do agree is also, and trying to find common ground.

I have spoken to an attorney and my home owners insurance about the trees. They're boundary trees and were planted 40 years ago before she put in her sprinkler system. She knew they were there before putting in her system. Trees grow and I am not responsible for anything on her side damaged or not. I'm not cutting down the only shade I have on my bedroom and garden area to appease her. I'm within my rights. I read an article in the Spokesman from 2014 that says Spokane voted to change the law to 1 chicken per 1000 sq ft. I'm not getting rid of them. If she reports me so be it. I feed my family and make money with my hens eggs. She has harassed us numerous times slandered me to multiple neighbors so if she reports me I will file a police report! She has threaten to spray my garden with weed killer and possibly kill the tree. If she does I can legally sue her for the value of all of the plants and trees. All I'm trying to do is feed my family and enjoy my property. She is mad because she knows she has no legal right to cut down our trees. She just needs to move!! She complains about every neighbor for one thing or another!

Also my neighbor behind me has over 30 birds. Roosters, hens, ducks, geese and turkeys. I have no roosters and have since lined the chicken area with tarps so she no longer has to see them.

It sounds you've covered all your bases and she just needs to get over it. As an aside note, I might not mention that you make money selling eggs if they can gig you for not having a business license or whatever. If you're allowed to have chickens, that's enough of a leg to stand on without mentioning the business end of it. (if you sell the eggs, that could change the chickens' status from "pets" to "business venture," which makes a big difference in the regulations in some areas.)