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Making it legal to own backyard chickens in Levittown, PA

post #1 of 12
4/13/12 at 10:18am
Thread Starter 

Hello,

 

I just joined this community recently as I have been researching ordinances in Bristol Township, PA.  Currently its against code to raise any livestock (including fowl) on your property.  I only have a .20 of an acre but would only need two chickens for my family of four.  I would really like to be more self sufficient but I have no idea on how to tackle the major hurdle of convincing local government to change this ordinance.

 

Any advise/support would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

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post #2 of 12
4/13/12 at 11:27pm
Hey, I'm a neighbor over in Levittown, any idea what the ordinances are in Middletown township?
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post #3 of 12
4/17/12 at 6:20am
Thread Starter 

I am not sure but I assume they are the same as Levittowns.

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post #4 of 12
8/9/12 at 9:42am
I know this is an old post, but I also am in Levittown and would help in any way to get chickens in our yards. I will start looking into this and keep you posted. I would hope you do the same.
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post #5 of 12
8/28/12 at 6:30pm
Thread Starter 

I have tried to contact bristol township without any replies.  I just wrote this to them again to the president and vice president councilmen.

 

Hello,

 
I am writing to you as a concerned community member of Bristol Township.  I have a family of 4 and it has become increasingly important to me and my wife that we are capable of providing wholesome and nutritious food for ourselves.  We do our best to grow our own vegetables and fruit during the warmer months and its worked well for us so far.  I truly wish you would consider allowing residents to raise a small number of chickens in a confined space solely for the purpose of providing fresh eggs.  We would not need noisy roosters or even a large amount of hens (only 3 would be capable of producing a dozen eggs a week).  Hens are relatively quiet birds and mainly keep to themselves so they would not be a nuisance to neighbors that did not care for them.  Of course I would not expect the township to allow poultry for selling or butchering for food.  I only ask that you consider the allowance of poultry raising for personal use in regards to the consumption of eggs (referred to as layer chickens).
 
Here is a link if you wish to do any research yourself.  Urban homesteading is rapidly growing in popularity and I would assume you may hear about this from time to time.  
 
 
Thanks for your consideration!
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post #6 of 12
9/14/12 at 6:18am

I recently moved into Bristol township and was wondering the same thing... My house its on .1 acres but i have pletly of space in the back yard to build a small chicken coup next to my shed.  I grew up in Romania on my grandmother's farm and I miss the taste of fresh eggs.  I looked into the ordinance of the township and they do state that they do not allow barn animals (i assume this includes chickens) but they do allow horses.  This also states that you can not have more than 2 dogs but i see people with 4 or 5 all the time.  Was wondering if anyone received an answer from the township yet.

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post #7 of 12
9/17/12 at 8:05am
I currently live in A rental home in a township that does not allow chickens. (abington) I could not leave them when we moved from NC and we are currently looking for a permanent home. Bristol was one of the places that we considered. Are there ANY towns in this area that allow chickens without having to have at least 3 acres? I am surprised at how difficult it is to find such a place.
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post #8 of 12
9/18/12 at 1:09pm

I was reading the zoning book closer today for Bristol Township and found this paragraph... so that tells me you're allowed to have chickens??  Anyone here a lawyer?

 

SECTION III: AGRICULTURE

 

Land in any district may be used for agriculture purposes. A zoning certificate shall be required for the construction of buildings incident to the use for agricultural purposes of the land on which such buildings shall be located, and such buildings shall belocated according to regulations in Section X through XIII contained in this resolution. For the purpose of this resolution, “AGRICULTURE” shall include agriculture, farming,dairying, pasturage, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, and animal and poultry husbandry.

 

However, any buildings or structures located on any farm or acreage which are not incident to the use for agriculture purposes of the land on which they are located,together with such land, shall conform to the regulations contained in this resolution in allrespects

SECTION III: AGRICULTURE

 

Land in any district may be used for agriculture purposes. A zoning certificate

 

shall be required for the construction of buildings incident to the use for agricultural

 

purposes of the land on which such buildings shall be located, and such buildings shall be

 

located according to regulations in Section X through XIII contained in this resolution.

 

For the purpose of this resolution, “AGRICULTURE” shall include agriculture, farming,

 

dairying, pasturage, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, and animal and poultry

 

husbandry.

 

However, any buildings or structures located on any farm or acreage which are

 

not incident to the use for agriculture purposes of the land on which they are located,

 

together with such land, shall conform to the regulations contained in this resolution in all

 

respects
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post #9 of 12
9/18/12 at 8:22pm
Thread Starter 

At this time Bristol Township does not allow chickens.  I have not received a response to my email. Basically, more people need to write the township council members to keep pressing the issue.  I don't think a request for 2 or 3 hens is out of line.

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post #10 of 12
11/11/12 at 9:23am

Hello, i Live in levittown and also interested in owning a few chickens, i am willing to help with contacting people to help make it legal to do so.

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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Local Chicken Laws & Ordinances (and how to change them) › Making it legal to own backyard chickens in Levittown, PA