I moved here on 2 acres in the county and found out (after buying and moving) that I am not allowed to have backyard chickens. The zoning ordinance folks sent me the article that shows
" 4.05 NOTED SPECIAL CONDITIONS :1. Garden crop, but no sales structures. 2. Livestock or poultry only on lots over five (5) acres."
He also followed up with this after I questions some things.
acres or larger. At this time backyard chickens (right or wrong) are
considered the same as a full fledged farm. In terms of what animals would
qualify as pets vs. livestock, our zoning ordinance does not define "pets"
or "livestock" per se, so I am forced to make a judgement call about what
animals are pets vs. livestock. I have typically considered chickens
livestock. In dealing with cases of poultry in places it should (or
shouldn't be) my office mostly operates on a complaint basis focusing
enforcement resources on cases we have received complaints about or that
have become a problem for neighbors."
With that said, I am thinking of getting some anyway and seeing what happens. I have already had a few neighbors say they wouldn't care, but there are some I am not sure of. I would really LOVE to get the laws changed and we did have a city commissioner who tried this and was basically laughed at. I called my magistrate and ran it by her as well and she didn't think it was something that would pass. I would love to connect with some others in the area who are wanting to homestead and are trying to work on getting some if these ridiculous laws changed.
" 4.05 NOTED SPECIAL CONDITIONS :1. Garden crop, but no sales structures. 2. Livestock or poultry only on lots over five (5) acres."
He also followed up with this after I questions some things.
"Unfortunately, our zoning does not allow any livestock on lots in the RB
district. In the RR district the zoning only allows livestock on lots 5acres or larger. At this time backyard chickens (right or wrong) are
considered the same as a full fledged farm. In terms of what animals would
qualify as pets vs. livestock, our zoning ordinance does not define "pets"
or "livestock" per se, so I am forced to make a judgement call about what
animals are pets vs. livestock. I have typically considered chickens
livestock. In dealing with cases of poultry in places it should (or
shouldn't be) my office mostly operates on a complaint basis focusing
enforcement resources on cases we have received complaints about or that
have become a problem for neighbors."
With that said, I am thinking of getting some anyway and seeing what happens. I have already had a few neighbors say they wouldn't care, but there are some I am not sure of. I would really LOVE to get the laws changed and we did have a city commissioner who tried this and was basically laughed at. I called my magistrate and ran it by her as well and she didn't think it was something that would pass. I would love to connect with some others in the area who are wanting to homestead and are trying to work on getting some if these ridiculous laws changed.
