Cedar Park, TX ordinance against backyard chickens

My Pretties

In the Brooder
6 Years
Jul 22, 2013
29
4
24
I've just received a warning in lieu of a citation, for having chickens for pets. We don't have a rooster, they don't fly, and most of them only warble a soft trill. Has anyone in Cedar Park successfully fought this ordinance? The neighbors who reported us are retaliating for us having reported their beagle's incessant barking who is "trained to bark." I get it, pay back. Our chickens altogether make less sounds all day than five minutes of the dog barking! I know there are quite a few people in Cedar Park with less than 1 acre yards with chickens. I'd like to know how to fight this, if possible. Our chickens are all named, come to me, ride on my shoulder. The coop is vacuumed daily and is on a chicken tractor that is moved each morning to another spot in our backyard. They never fly over the fence and do nothing to be annoying. With no rooster, we obviously can't run a business raising chickens. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
I feel your pain! I have similar situation with the neighbor, who reported us to the city. I'm trying to change the city ordinances where I live, but it's been a tough battle. You'll need lots of support from local city citizens and a few good spoke person to talk directly to the city councilmember, and at the same time, set up something to educate ppl about chickens.

Good luck!
 
I have emailed the city council member, which includes the mayor of Cedar Park at least five times now in the past week. Each time I send more supporting evidence on why chickens in the yard should be allowed, not ONE has replied. I am now approaching different newspapers here in Cedar Park to see if I can get some print on the subject. I don't plan to give up. I appreciate your comment!
 
I spoke with Mayor Powell today. He has put backyard chickens on the agenda for the city council meeting on August 8th at 6:30. If you would like to speak sign-in time is 6:15. This is added to the end of the agenda, but he did tell me he would call this item out of order to avoid all who may want to speak to be at the meeting until the rest of the agenda is finished. Even if you don't wish to speak, seeing a show of many people have this interest may help in changing the ordinance.
 
I guess it went fairly well. There were a few people, probably HOA presidents, who were there and spoke against it and another resident that basically said for chicken lovers to move to the farm or where there is acreage so we could have chickens. Three councilman would have voted for us had a vote been taken. One councilman, who hated chicken coop cleaning as a teenager said he didn't think it was a good idea. I guess he assumes we all hate taking care of our hens! Another stated chickens are gateway livestock to goats and pigs. I have a counter on that for the next meeting: If that is true, why are dogs and cats not gateway canines and felines for bobcats and coyotes? The mayor is on the fence. He tabled it for now until there is more interest generated by calls, emails, and people showing up at meetings. I'm getting prepared. Trying to find people not encumbered by HOAs who live in Cedar Park that would like to have a few yard chickens. Our HOA would vote to change. The mayor wants to waste money on a "study" polling HOAs! Thanks for asking how it went. I appreciate the interest.
 
I think it would be hilarious for a majority of HOA members to vote and pass a regulation REQUIRING that those opposed to chickens ti buy some or move out. No, I know it won't happen, because owners are typically more reasonable than that. I have yet to meet a gun owner who felt he had the right to force non-gun owners to buy one. But you don't have to look far to find anti-gun folks who think they have the right to tell gun owners that they CANNOT own one. It's almost funny how that works. When the economy falls apart, who will be better equipped to handle the impending apocalypse than those who own livestock and firearms?
 
Oh I am soooo right there with you my friend on ALL points! Preparedness in food and self-sufficiency is more important than is realized. Because I was turned in because a toxic neighbor SAW my chickens, not because they were a nuisance of any kind, I am wanting to stage my yard with fake chickens and just move them around every time I go outside with my dog! The chicken tractor is still in the yard and I move it around and "talk to the chickens" but fake chickens from the distance of their upstairs window that they saw them through to begin with would be just too funny. I hope they call animal control on me over and over again. It's A-OK for them to have never ending barking dog, then go get another to join the chorus, leave them outdoors in all kinds of weather and be abused by their child (picking dog up by ears!) but my little chicks had to go. Change for Chickens in Cedar Park is doing it's best to legalize our flocks. Please consider emailing Cedar Park councilman and ask them to reconsider the ordinance that requires one acre for ONE chicken! A whole acre for 4-5 lb bird? My two dogs exceed 220 lbs and live quite happily on 1/4 acre and put out pounds more waste that is not compostable! http://www.cedarparktexas.gov/index.aspx?page=49 This link will give the email all link that I can't copy for emailing purposes.
 
It would be nice if these nosy neighbors were just called out in the street and it handled there. No need to get the city, etc involved. Oh, for the good old days.
 
They've just been sitting back waiting for years to find something to report. My dogs were trained and barked once to alert and wait for me to come see what the problem is. NEVER barking at the fence or any neighbor. Chickens just gave them their ability for payback. Unfortunately where my chickens were being sheltered a pit bull ate through the fence and killed half my flock, a Frizzle, Americauna and Barred Rocks. What a lost because of a toxic neighbor. Once the ordinance is changed here they'll realize the can of worms they opened only forced me to find a bigger can to put them back in. I do think there are enough people who will be showing up in support of chicken-lovers to persuade the council to vote in our favor.
 

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