Just wanted to share some research I'm doing as I'm relocating to the Martinsville VA area. Within city limits you are not allowed to have chickens.
Founds some nice 1 to 5 arcre properties with mixed wooded lots -- but within the city it would be illegal to raise them. Guess I'm looking too close to the golf course to have a few laying hens for the family. Anyone else out this way?
Martinsville: Ch. 5, Art. 1, Sec. 5-3 -- Livestock, poultry, or birds running at large. If they make it to the street or someone else property, it's a class 3 misdemeanor. (Virginia: Ch. 1, Sec. 2 (23), Sec. 15.1-870)
Martinsville: Ch. 5, Art. 2, Sec. 5-17 -- Keeping of swine, goats, or sheep prohibited. Not allowed to have goats or sheep within city limits.
Martinsville: Ch. 5, Art. 2, Sec. 5-18 -- Keeping of other livestock and poultry. Not allowed to have chickens within city limits. (Ord. No. 95-9, 9-26-95; Ord. No. 97-4, 3-25-97; Ord. No. 98-8, 7-28-98; Ord. No. 2002-11, 11-12-2002) Class 1 misdemeanor.
Full code and zoning details available for City of Martinsville, VA available at:
Won't give up on having these girls scratching around a garden bed between seasons, or fresh eggs in the morning -- but will possibly have to look outside the city limits for more suitable space. If someone is raising chickens within city limits here and would like to share some experiences (anonymously for clandestine operations) -- please reply here or private message.
Sincerely,
Justin
