Just bought 3 baby chicks and I am starting to worry :(

I went off of a rumor from my local feed store that I could raise chickens in my backyard. A friend just told me they thought Warner Robins didn't allow it. I live on the Warner Robins/Centerville line. I cannot find or understand the code that says whether we can have them and if so how many. We just got our 3 babies and I am so worried that we won't be able to keep them . Does anyone know where I can find the most current info?

What state do you live in? You can probably look up your right to farm law/act. Here in MI we have a pretty strong Right to Farm Act.

You probably need to look at your zoning code.

If you do have a zoning code, check to see if you have a right to farm act. If so the right to farm act (at least in MI) states that no officer can enforce a zoning law as long as you are following the right to farm act, and any other codes it has to do with. Just become familiar with your rights to have chickens (if you have them) and everything should be ok. Good Luck!!

I also live in Warner Robins. I'm technically in a county island (Houston Co.) but am zoned for R-1 (residential single-family) where chickens are not permitted. The county, as a whole, does not allow chickens per:

Sec. 10-8. Keeping of wild animals, livestock, or fowl.
It shall be unlawful for any person to raise, keep or permit to be raised or kept on premises that he owns or controls within Houston County any wild nondomestic animal, or any cattle, horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, goats, sheep, or fowl, unless permitted by the ordinances of the county.
(Res. of 6-7-05)

(http://library.municode.com/HTML/11...TIICOOR_CH10UNANCOOR_ARTIINGE_S10-8KEWIANLIFO)

The "unless permitted by the ordinances of the county" refers to your zoning "permissions" found in the zoning Comprehensive Land Development Regulations PDF under Section 71 found at the following link:

http://www.houstoncountyga.com/business/

Click on Zoning Map on the same page to determine which zone your home belongs.

If you live in an area zoned for R-AG you're sitting pretty as long as you follow the "permitted use" guidelines for "fowl." If you're in another residential zone, you're legally out of luck.

-HOWEVER-

This brings me to the next, and biggest, step - changing the law. There are two changes I'm going to pursue, either remove restriction to raise chickens in the county code OR provide for a "permitted use" in the R-1 zoning definition. The latter may be the easier option.

I am somewhat politically connected and will use those resources as I can. BYC also has great references to documents from others who've attempted the same thing.

Aero farmer, I figure I'm treading all over the law at this point. Please let me know what you come up with!

I live in Warner Robins myself. I just started Warner Robins CLUCK on facebook. My goal is to coordinate with as many people in Warner Robins as possible on this issue. There is a lobbying group called Sarasota CLUCK that does not have a facebook profile but has a blog instead. They have a LOT of very valuable material that I have been mining.

I think the reason these laws were passed is because agriculture is seen as anti-progressive. But I have over the last few years met many people that were at least casually interested in raising chickens. Some of them do raise chickens anyway, others do not because of city ordinances.

I borrowed "CLUCK" from the Sarasota group as have other groups lobbying for chickens. It stands for Citizens Lobbying for Urban Chicken Keeping. For those living in the Warner Robins area that have expressed interest here, please join so that we can coordinate our efforts.

Let's legalize chickens

The concern from a ordinance is noise/smell. People think of chickens for two things, crowing of a rooster and smell of numerous chickens. Avoid those two and you avoid the law. By law, the city/county has no right to enter upon your premises (side or back yard) without a warrant. If they do not hear or smell or see a possible violation, they will tell the complainant there is not enough evidence to take action. Make your neighbors mad and you got problems. I had pet chickens in Atlanta. Pets are different.

dashonna82 said:

I went off of a rumor from my local feed store that I could raise chickens in my backyard. A friend just told me they thought Warner Robins didn't allow it. I live on the Warner Robins/Centerville line. I cannot find or understand the code that says whether we can have them and if so how many. We just got our 3 babies and I am so worried that we won't be able to keep them . Does anyone know where I can find the most current info?

Click to expand...

@dashonna82

They are legal in Centerville, Ga. Here's link to the ordinance signed Nov 2014. But looks like you need to apply if you fall under their jurisdiction. Just hide those babies til you do do.

http://www.centervillega.org/docs/amendment-keeping-of-fowl-2014-9.pdf

But if you fall under Warner Robins,Ga they are not yet legal and should join the fight to get the ordinance passed.

Check out today's Macon Telegraph - W R Cluck's actions have got FRONT PAGE rating! One council member was quoted that he has family members wanting chickens Centerville rep states they are legal there, but since passing the ordinance there have been no applications. Macon-Bibb County (where they have been legal forever) Attorney was quoted as never had any problems or complaints about chickens being here.

If your mailing address is Centerville, then get that application in and bet you'll have approval before you have to move those babies to the coop.

If you address or phone exchange is Centerville, then claim residence there!