- Feb 28, 2013
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Our town/village has two laws on the books regarding Livestock. We are a right to farm town. The first law from 1996 states that we are a right to farm town "and that no person, entity, association, partnership or corporation shall engage in any act to prevent or deter such conduct as it is approved herein".
However, in the zoning laws from 2004, it states:
"1. The growing of field and garden crops, vineyards, orchards and nurseries; the keeping of livestock on a lot of ten (10) acres or more; and the keeping of fowl on a lot of five (5) acres or more shall be permitted as allowed by the Schedule of Use Regulations."
So far, we don't know if anyone has followed the zoning laws because people all over our town have chickens, some on 1/4 of an acre. But we've heard of two instances where people have lost their birds because of disputes with neighbors or town officials happen to notice the birds wandering about. Last year a town official drove by and saw our turkeys wandering around. Fortunately, the next time they drove by was after Thanksgiving. But we have 50 + birds on our property this spring and I'm more worried than ever we're going to get caught.
Is the law on our side?
However, in the zoning laws from 2004, it states:
"1. The growing of field and garden crops, vineyards, orchards and nurseries; the keeping of livestock on a lot of ten (10) acres or more; and the keeping of fowl on a lot of five (5) acres or more shall be permitted as allowed by the Schedule of Use Regulations."
So far, we don't know if anyone has followed the zoning laws because people all over our town have chickens, some on 1/4 of an acre. But we've heard of two instances where people have lost their birds because of disputes with neighbors or town officials happen to notice the birds wandering about. Last year a town official drove by and saw our turkeys wandering around. Fortunately, the next time they drove by was after Thanksgiving. But we have 50 + birds on our property this spring and I'm more worried than ever we're going to get caught.
Is the law on our side?