Chicken LORE Project - Find & Submit Local Chicken Laws & Ordinances

At large shall mean any companion animal that is not within the confines of its owner's home, yard, pen, primary enclosure or automobile and that is not on a tether which restricts the animal to the confines of its owner's property nor on a leash no longer than six (6) feet.
Sec. 4-3. Livestock and fowl.

It shall be unlawful for any person to drive livestock through the streets of the city.
It shall be unlawful for any person to tie or anchor livestock or any other domestic animal for grazing or such like purposes, or to drive, ride or otherwise cause any livestock upon or across any grass lawns or parks of the city.
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly bring into the city any animal affected with any infectious or contagious disease.
It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to keep, possess or maintain any livestock or fowl on any parcel of land within the corporate limits of the city unless such parcel of land shall have a minimum of one (1) acre plus a minimum of one-half (½) acre for each additional livestock unit.
No livestock or fowl shall cause a nuisance to any resident in the city.
The restrictions as set forth in subsection 4-3(d) shall not apply, provided livestock remain on or about their premises as noted below:
In a building or structure such as a stable, barn, shed or pen having a minimum of one hundred (100) feet, measured in a straight line, from the nearest point of a neighboring structure used for human habitation, other than that of the owner, as a residence, restaurant, cafe or other public eating place or church, school or hospital;
In a fenced area, the perimeter having a minimum of one hundred (100) feet measured in a straight line from the nearest point of a neighboring structure used for human habitation, other than that of the owner, as a residence, restaurant, cafe or other public eating place or church, school or hospital; and
The provisions of this section shall apply only upon the receipt of a complaint in writing by the animal control director.
The provisions of subsections 4-3(d) and 4-3(f) notwithstanding, such restrictions therein provided may be waived if a petition is submitted by any property owner requesting permission to keep livestock, which petition has been signed by at least fifty-one (51) percent of the property owners within a three-hundred-foot radius of the location of the property.
It shall be unlawful for any livestock or fowl of any kind to run, roam or be at large or on any of the public highways, commons or lands, either public or private, other than lands of the owner of such animals, within the limits of the city.
Any livestock found running at large in violation of the provisions of this article shall be taken up by the animal control director or his agents, police or other agents of the city and impounded.
When any livestock or fowl is impounded under the provisions of subsection 4-3(i) a warning notice will be left at the residence/property to notify the owner of the whereabouts of the animal.
Any livestock impounded shall be released to the owner only upon payment by the owner of an impounding fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) and a per day maintenance charge per head as fixed by the animal control director but not to exceed twenty dollars ($20.00) per day.
Should the owner of any impounded livestock or fowl fail to appear and claim such livestock or fowl and pay the penalty and fees, the city clerk, at the expiration of seven (7) days, shall advertise one time the impounded livestock or fowl for sale at public auction. The livestock or fowl shall become property of the city.
State law reference— Livestock at large upon public highways, R.S. 3:2803; R.S. 3:3003; impounding stock running at large, R.S. 3:2804; municipalities authorized to impound animals at large, R.S. 3:2531; R.S. 3:3003; sales of unclaimed livestock, R.S. 3:2806.
(Ord. No. 03-2014-01, 3-10-14)
Sec. 4-4. Penalty for violating section 4-3.

Any person violating the provisions of section 4-3, or who shall hinder, molest or interfere with any officer or agent of the city in the performance of any duty provided for by this article shall, upon conviction, be punished in accordance with section 1-8 of this Code.
Each animal that shall run or otherwise be at large in violation of subsection 4-3 shall constitute a separate offense by the owner of such animal.
(Ord. No. 03-2014-01, 3-10-14)

This is the Municode for Walker , La 70785

Sec. 4-1. Definitions

Unless otherwise indicated in a specific section below, for the purpose of this Ordinance the following terms, phrases, words, and derivations shall have the following meanings;
Abandons means to completely forsake and desert an animal previously under the custody or possession of a person without making reasonable arrangements for its proper care, sustenance, and shelter.
Animal means any live or dead vertebrate creature, not to include fish or homo-sapiens.
Animal control shelter means the animal control shelter established by the Walker City Council as the animal control shelter for the city, its director, agents or employees.
At large shall mean any companion animal that is not within the confines of its owner's home, yard, pen, primary enclosure or automobile and that is not on a tether which restricts the animal to the confines of its owner's property nor on a leash no longer than six (6) feet.
Companion animalsu shall include all exotic animals maintained as pets in a private residence.
Court means the City of Walker Mayor's Court.
Cruel means every act or failure to act whereby unjustifiable physical pain or suffering is caused or permitted.
Excessive barking and/or noise means animal noises of such a loudness, intensity and duration as to prevent or interfere with a person's ability to enjoy his property, including but not limited to, situations where; on more than one (1) occasion has awakened the complainant up from sleep; or Continues in such a manner so as to cause mental anguish or suffering, loss of sleep or a disturbance of the peace. (similar provisions, subsection 10-38(h))
Excessive odor means an odor of such intensity and duration as to prevent or interfere with a person's ability to enjoy his property, including, but not limited to, situations where the odor continues in such a manner as to cause mental anguish and suffering or such as to disturb the comfort or response of persons dwelling in the vicinity of where the animal is kept.
Feral cat means an undomesticated or wild cat or a cat that has reverted to a wild or undomesticated state through abandonment.
Inoculate shall mean the administration of any drug, subcutaneously or otherwise as approved by the United States Department of Public Health.
Impound means to take into custody, seize and hold an animal at the animal control shelter.
Livestock means cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, burros, asses, other livestock of all ages, farm-raised ratite species.
Nuisance shall mean damaging, soiling, defiling, or defecating on property other than its owner's, or on public sidewalks, excessive noise making, excessive odor, excessive barking, molesting, threatening, attacking or interfering with persons on public or private [property], chasing automobiles or other means of conveyance, attacking other animals and disturbing or turning over garbage containers or running at large or interfering with another person's enjoyment of his property.
Owner shall include any person who shall harbor or permit an animal to remain and to be lodged and fed within his or her home, or on his or her premises, where he or she resides or on property he or she owns.
Pet means any animal kept for pleasure rather than utility.
Physical control shall mean by leash, cord or some like means.
Proper food:
Food should be wholesome, palatable and free from contamination. Food shall be provided in sufficient quantity and be of adequate nutritional value to maintain all animals in good health.
The diet shall be prepared with consideration of the age species, condition, size and type of animal.
Animal shall be fed as dictated by veterinary advice or other professionally accepted practices for the safety and well-being of the animal.
All food receptacles shall be kept clean and sanitary. Receptacles used to store food shall be kept covered.
If more than one animal is fed at once, it shall be the responsibility of the owner/custodian to ensure that each animal receives enough food.

Proper shelter:
Indoor:
Facilities shall be sufficiently regulated by heating and cooling, if necessary, to protect animals from extreme temperatures and to provide for their health and well-being. Temperature shall not be below fifty (50) degrees Fahrenheit or above ninety (90) degrees Fahrenheit.
Facilities shall be adequately ventilated by natural or mechanical means to provide for the health and well-being of the animal at all times. Such facilities shall be provided with fresh air by means of windows, doors, vents, fans, or air conditioning and shall be ventilated so as to minimize drafts, odors and moisture condensation.
Outdoor:
All animals kept outdoors shall have access to shelter that provides protection from the weather, i.e., wind, precipitation, or other inclement weather conditions.
Shelter shall be well constructed and appropriate for the species. Consideration shall be given to the animal's age, physical condition, size, and hair coat when determining whether or not available shelter is proper.
All animals shall have access to shade from the sun during hot weather.
Outdoor for dogs:
The shelter for a dog shall have a roof, enclosed sides, a doorway, and constructed on a dry, sanitary, level surface.
Under freezing conditions, bedding shall be supplied.
Structure shall be large enough to permit normal postural adjustment.

Proper water:
Proper water shall mean clean, drinkable water available at all times for all animals.
Animals that are being worked or are in transport shall be provided water as often as necessary for the health and comfort of the animal. Frequency of watering shall consider age, species, condition, size and type of animal. Activity levels and climatic conditions must also be considered.
All water receptacles shall be kept clean and sanitary, be of appropriate design and size for the animal and be positioned or affixed to prevent spills.
Exceptions shall be determined by veterinary consultation or professionally accepted practices for the safety and well-being of the animal.

Proper veterinary care means providing each animal with veterinary care sufficient to prevent unnecessary suffering by the animal.
Veterinarian means any duly Louisiana licensed veterinary practitioner.
(Ord. No. 03-2014-01, 3-10-14)
Sec 4-2. Cruelty to animals.

Any person who intentionally or with criminal negligence commits any of the following shall be guilty of simple cruelty to animals:
Overworks a living animal.
Torments, cruelly beats, or unjustifiably injures any living animal, whether belonging to himself or another.
Having charge, custody or possession of any animal, either as owner or otherwise, unjustifiably fails to provide it with proper food, proper water, proper shelter, or proper veterinary care.
Abandons any animal: Only residents of the City of Walker, with a current photo I.D., may deliver an animal found running at large, within the city limits, to the animal control shelter. The delivery of an animal must be made during animal control's normal hours of operation. a person shall be considered to have abandoned an animal found running at large if he delivers, drops off, or leaves behind the animal at the animal control shelter at any time which is not within the normal hours of operation or at any time when the animal control shelter is closed to the public.
Impounds or confines or cause to be impounded or confined in a pound or other place a living animal and fails to supply it during such confinement with proper food, proper water, and proper shelter.
Unjustifiably administers any poison or noxious drug or substance to any domestic animal or unjustifiably exposes any such drug or substance with intent that the same shall be taken or swallowed by any domestic animal.
Mistreats any living animal by any act or omission whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain, suffering, or death is caused to or permitted upon the animal.
Causes or procures to be done by any person any act enumerated in this section 4-2
Any animal found to be abandoned for over twenty-four (24) hours shall be seized, impounded and kept for five (5) days by the animal control shelter. If owner does not claim within five (5) days, the animal will be forfeited to the animal control shelter. A warning notice will be left at the residence to notify the owner of the whereabouts of his animal and be subject to additional fines.
Whoever commits the crime of simple cruelty to animals shall be punished in accordance with section 1-8. In addition to any other penalty imposed, the court may issue an order prohibiting the defendant from owning or keeping animals for a period of time deemed appropriate by the court.
State law reference— Similar provisions, R.S. 14:102.

Sec. 4-3. Livestock and fowl.

It shall be unlawful for any person to drive livestock through the streets of the city.
It shall be unlawful for any person to tie or anchor livestock or any other domestic animal for grazing or such like purposes, or to drive, ride or otherwise cause any livestock upon or across any grass lawns or parks of the city.
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly bring into the city any animal affected with any infectious or contagious disease.
It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to keep, possess or maintain any livestock or fowl on any parcel of land within the corporate limits of the city unless such parcel of land shall have a minimum of one (1) acre plus a minimum of one-half (½) acre for each additional livestock unit.
No livestock or fowl shall cause a nuisance to any resident in the city.
The restrictions as set forth in subsection 4-3(d) shall not apply, provided livestock remain on or about their premises as noted below:
In a building or structure such as a stable, barn, shed or pen having a minimum of one hundred (100) feet, measured in a straight line, from the nearest point of a neighboring structure used for human habitation, other than that of the owner, as a residence, restaurant, cafe or other public eating place or church, school or hospital;
In a fenced area, the perimeter having a minimum of one hundred (100) feet measured in a straight line from the nearest point of a neighboring structure used for human habitation, other than that of the owner, as a residence, restaurant, cafe or other public eating place or church, school or hospital; and
The provisions of this section shall apply only upon the receipt of a complaint in writing by the animal control director.
The provisions of subsections 4-3(d) and 4-3(f) notwithstanding, such restrictions therein provided may be waived if a petition is submitted by any property owner requesting permission to keep livestock, which petition has been signed by at least fifty-one (51) percent of the property owners within a three-hundred-foot radius of the location of the property.
It shall be unlawful for any livestock or fowl of any kind to run, roam or be at large or on any of the public highways, commons or lands, either public or private, other than lands of the owner of such animals, within the limits of the city.
Any livestock found running at large in violation of the provisions of this article shall be taken up by the animal control director or his agents, police or other agents of the city and impounded.
When any livestock or fowl is impounded under the provisions of subsection 4-3(i) a warning notice will be left at the residence/property to notify the owner of the whereabouts of the animal.
Any livestock impounded shall be released to the owner only upon payment by the owner of an impounding fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) and a per day maintenance charge per head as fixed by the animal control director but not to exceed twenty dollars ($20.00) per day.
Should the owner of any impounded livestock or fowl fail to appear and claim such livestock or fowl and pay the penalty and fees, the city clerk, at the expiration of seven (7) days, shall advertise one time the impounded livestock or fowl for sale at public auction. The livestock or fowl shall become property of the city.
State law reference— Livestock at large upon public highways, R.S. 3:2803; R.S. 3:3003; impounding stock running at large, R.S. 3:2804; municipalities authorized to impound animals at large, R.S. 3:2531; R.S. 3:3003; sales of unclaimed livestock, R.S. 3:2806.
(Ord. No. 03-2014-01, 3-10-14)
Sec. 4-4. Penalty for violating section 4-3.

Any person violating the provisions of section 4-3, or who shall hinder, molest or interfere with any officer or agent of the city in the performance of any duty provided for by this article shall, upon conviction, be punished in accordance with section 1-8 of this Code.
Each animal that shall run or otherwise be at large in violation of subsection 4-3 shall constitute a separate offense by the owner of such animal.
(Ord. No. 03-2014-01, 3-10-14)
Any person who violates any provision of Article I or who shall hinder, molest, or interfere shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be subject to punishment as provided in section 1-8.1 of this Code.
(Ord. No. 03-2014-01, 3-10-14)

Reading the Torrance, CA Ordiance below, it looks like I could keep 3 chickens, but need a permit for more than three. Am I wrong? or just overly optimistic?

41.11.1 REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIAL PERMITS FOR ANIMALS.

(Amended by O-3397)
A special permit may be granted to keep more than three small animals of any one specie or to keep more than four pigeons and doves or to keep an aggregate of more than four (4) small animals if the following requirements are met:
1) The applicant must show that a hardship exists such as prior ownership, family size, etc., or that extra animals will be used for educational or hobby purposes. The keeping of animals for commercial purposes is prohibited.
2) The yard area, fences, coops, etc., shall be sufficient to accommodate extra animals in a safe and sanitary manner and in a manner to prevent nuisances caused by noise, odors or other causes to neighboring property owners or occupants. Special conditions may be imposed to mitigate possible nuisances.
3) The Director of Building and Safety shall notify, in writing, the residents, and owners if not residing on the property, within three hundred feet (300') of the receipt of an application for a special permit to keep extra pigeons or doves and shall notify residents and owners on two (2) lots or parcels on either side of the subject property and the two (2) lots or parcels nearest behind the subject property of the receipt of an application for a special permit to keep extra other small animals.
4) The application shall make the property available at all reasonable times for an inspection by the Director of Building and Safety or his designee to insure compliance with Code and special provisions that may be placed upon the permit. Said permit may be revoked by the Director of Building and Safety Department if it can be shown that a nuisance to neighboring property owners or occupants exists or if provisions of the permit are not complied with.
5) A fee of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) shall be charged for a special permit to obtain the fourth animal of any one specie. A fee of Eighty Dollars ($80.00) shall be charged for a Special Permit to keep more than four (4) pigeons or doves.
6) Any applicant who has been denied, or has been granted a permit with conditions, or any other interested person may appeal the denial or granting of the said permit by the Director of Building and Safety to the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission. The fee for such appeal shall be the same as for an appeal to the City Council not involving a public hearing, nor advertising.
7) The decision of the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission shall be appealable to the City Council pursuant to the provisions of Article 5, Chapter 1, Division 1 of this Code commencing at Section 11.5.1

Hello! I also live in Torrance. I called the city about 6 months ago and was advised that "no farm animals of any kind" are allowed in Torrance. Doves and pigeons are ok but not chickens? Hmmm. Anyway, the city is currently (March 2015 going forward) doing an "environmental impact study" of allowing backyard chickens and bee keeping as a result of this topic being on the city council agenda for a while, the last time being the March 2015 city council meeting. You can see the minutes on the city's website. I called in April to see what the outcome was and was told they should be wrapping up the study shortly but not in time to make the May 2015 agenda. It will probably show up on the June meeting. So, check the City of Torrance website periodically until you see the the agenda for the city council meeting. If chickens and bees are on then please consider attending. The more residents we have supporting this change the more likely we will get it accomplished. The city is aware that people are already raising both (chickens and bees) but it would nice to be legit. :- ) Hope this helps.

sunnykrow said:

I found out that I can keep my chickens in Mt. Dora, Florida. I will be renting on Liberty Ave. They said that it is legal just as long as the chickens dont become a nuisance. As in noise & smell etc etc. Also, that they can not be kept lose. For me, this is good enough & good news.

Click to expand...

How did you find this out ? I will be in Citrus County if I can have chickens but if not I won't be buying

https://www.municode.com/library/fl/citrus_county/codes/code_of_ordinances


the above is a starting reference

Generally i would just search up municipal laws for _________ county/parish. I would only try to stand on law that came was found through the county web site, from a proven Legal company such as Lexus (http://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/legal-solutions/default.page)


"Lexis Web: Free Online Legal Research
www.lexisweb.com/
Search legal-oriented web sites that are determined by LexisNexis to be trustworthy and authoritative."

WestLaw is another one there are a handful more that I know of but I can remember them quickly.

Hi everyone!
Just joined Backyard Chickens 10 minutes ago and really could use some advice!! Have three chickens now for three years in Hoffman Estates Illinois with no problems. Thought they were legal to own and raise for eggs but two hours ago a "code enforcement" officer paid us a visit and gave us 30 days to remove them. My thirteen year old will be devastated as with the rest of the family.
What would be the best way to begin getting a "Backyard Chickens" code introduced before i start in the wrong direction??

Thanks again,
Backyard Chicken starters in Hoffman Estates

I'm trying to find some samples of GOOD Ordinances .... for my local zoning guy - I've followed a few links in this thread and they all come up NO Longer Valid - can someone give me PDF or live links of good ordinances - ESPECIALLY dealing with the spacing and waste (smell) issues.