Cedar Park, TX ordinance against backyard chickens

I thought they were legal too! Both my sisters and I have had to get rid of our hens due to toxic neighbors. I had mine for years until someone moved in and reported me, and now they moved out and new neighbors don't mind so now I'm an "illegal chicken owner." My neighbors love getting the eggs. My dogs missed their "girls."

Tonight is a zoning and planning board meeting where it will be decided if the council will be directed to change the ordinance. A large group of people have been working toward this goal with getting professionals to present the FACTS, not a mother holding up a picture of her child pleading for his safety! He needs to be told to WASH YOUR HANDS and he won't get sick from chickens next door. I am out of town this week, but I understand there will be supporters showing up. Feel free to grab a neighbor and show your support at the Cedar Park meeting. It is in the CP buildings on Cypress Creek at 6:30. One animal control officer stated that if no one complains, then people can have their chickens..... what a way to allow them!

Thanks for telling me- that is good to know! I will try to make it tonight. It's hard to know if we can make it for sure because we have a 15 month old toddler that is a wild card when it comes to behavior (especially later in the day!), but I will try to represent for my girls!

Hi All,

I feel for you in Cedar Park. I live in Hays county south of you and don't have to deal with this crap. Neighbor with beagles was an ahole. I have beagles and they bark. I fight a constant battle to keep them in their yard and the chickens in theirs. That being said, I don't allow my dogs to bark outside at all hours. I currently have 16 layers, 1 rooster, and 18 chicks in the brooder. I believe according to state law, please check, I know the Hays county ordinance, says a dog killing livestock can be killed by the owner of the livestock without compensation to the dog owner. That being said if I were in the city and caught someones dog inside my fence destroying my property that dog would disappear or I would make it so expensive to keep it the owner would get rid of it. Take custody of dog in your yard, call animal control and document damages. Owner can be made to pay up. That applies to any dog regardless of whether you have livestock. I have signed the previously posted petition to allow chickens for many reasons. Austin allows them. Heck I think New York City allows them. It's your property and if you are not creating a nuisance or unsanitary condition you should be allowed to do what you want. I wish you all the best of luck legalizing your birds. I will keep an eye on the news and pray for common sense from your city council.


Alice

I know this is an old thread, but I would like to know how you got in contact with the Mayor? I am in Cedar Park and we have been talking about wanting chickens. I would love to fight this and have some other people who would be willing to help out, but I don't know where to start....
TIA

I went to the City Council meeting and signed up to speak. This was hashed out for MONTHS with a lot of people and petitions. Good luck on changing backward thinking people of Cedar Park. One woman stood up over and over at council meetings holding up a picture of her child who she said would be impacted by chickens in her neighbor's yards, AS IF Salmonella would jump the fence and attack him! We pointed out she need only wash his hands before he ate!! If she gets wind that chickens are on the agenda again I would assume she will be there with her husband pleading for no chickens to be allowed. It didn't matter we had all the facts needed to disprove her neighbor's chickens would be no problem, and nuisance ordinance would take care of any that may occur. There were a few in favor on the council. Good luck. Join the "Chickens for Change in Cedar Park FB group" and maybe you can generate interest again with those who still want to battle city hall. I went rogue and put chickens in my yard anyway. They have never been a problem. My neighbors don't complain and city ordinance is only inforced if someone complains. Good luck.

Just saw this post I'm thinking of getting chickens and I live in Cesar Park. Any update on this?

Anything new on the chicken front in Cedar Park? I'd like to get a few, but live in a neighborhood. We have a fairly large lot and cool neighbors. HOA is voluntary and not very active. Wondering if I should just take my chances?

I think it's ridiculous that this city ordinance is so screwed up. I thankfully live outside of Cedar Park, but I definitely would love to come to the next meeting in regards to changing the ordinance. Sad that all these crappy neighbors with animals that tear things up or are being abused get away with crap. Aren't pets in the city limits supposed to be registered with the city and have a rabies vaccination and tags? So why do chickens get a bad rap? Roosters are a little noisy but hens aren't and it's just plain wrong. Chickens get rid of all sorts of things and help our environment. They eat everything from scraps to feed to grass & bugs, etc. I love having chickens: we have copper marans, production reds and Americaunas. We sell eggs for eating or hatching and we hatch eggs. It's a livelihood and can be considered as a job. If they tell me I can't have a chicken, then they can't have a cat or dog.
Just the cost of eggs are costly nowadays, and I think it's our right to raise chickens for food purposes at least. What's the date & time of the council meeting regarding the fowl ordinance in Cedar Park, Texas?