Wow after all the work I did, I just found out that we can not have chickens HELP

Wow i did not know that!

Hope you'll be able to have them
 

I wouldn't even worry about it. At the most they will probably tell you to get rid of the birds and give you a fine or something dumb. But like I already said, I wouldn't even worry about it. Heck I'd probably even get a rooster!

Well, it would probably fall under zoning/code enforcement. 

My friend and I were just talking about this the other day. While both of our cities allow chickens he knows one of the city councilmen in the city he lives in and that person has told him that due to lack of funds (budget cuts) the cities really have no money to go and patrol little code violations like this. They just don't have a person to deal with it on the payroll right now. If it got to be a serious violation they would, of course, have to do something about it but if a neighbor calls and says "they have chickens and aren't supposed to" the city may not do anything - especially if your neighbor already has chickens. 

I would just keep them and keep quiet about it. 

No roosters, make sure there is no smell, etc. Don't give anyone a reason to not like your chickens. 

In the meantime look into reading how you can change the zoning law to allow chickens. 

I wouldn't worry about it, just use common sense, especially since a neighbor already has some and you have spoken with your neighbors.  keep it clean, no roos, and don't go crazy with the number of chickens you keep.  Salem, VA just changed the code to allow chickens.  People had been keeping them with no problems until about 4 yrs ago when someone called and reported their neighbor because they "didn't think it was right", no one else had complained, there was no smell or noise.  When it came time for the city council to review the complaint the person who complained wouldn't come to the hearing.  So was it really a big deal, no just some person who couldn't understand  having chickens in your backyard (which was the norm 30 - 50 yrs ago).  The Salem VA town council will be allowing 6 chickens with some restriction starting July 2012.  I live in the neighboring city and in a nice neighborhood and we can keep up to 10 chickens!  So, if for some reason you have a problem towns and cities do change the code to allow chickens.  Good luck and have fun!  Chickens are great!

i imagine they can force you to get rid of them & fine you.  probably getting a petition going & get put on the city council agenda is the starting point.  you would have to find out how many signatures are required.  it would probably be a good idea to have all your information @ the ready because people have a lot of misconceptions.  just getting a no rooster policy & limit the number of birds permitted would be a great compromise.  if you make such proposals it gives them a handle to grab on to so they are not left to making silly judgements based on their ignorance.  in theory.

Just give your neighbors the freshest eggs they have ever tasted and they will be on your side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondo58 

Just give your neighbors the freshest eggs they have ever tasted and they will be on your side.

And if the police come to shut you down, invite them in for a farm-fresh omlete! That'll change their minds!