We live in Omaha, NE trying to find out if you could even have chickens was hard to find. & Poultry laws in Omaha, Douglas County, NE is as follows:
ARTICLE X. LIVESTOCK
Sec. 6-262. Livestock running at large or trespassing on public or private grounds.
The herding or running at large of livestock or other animals upon the streets, avenues, parks, or public grounds within the city, or the picketing, lariating or tying, or securing by rope or other means of any such animal or animals so that such animal can feed, walk, or trespass upon any public street, avenue, alley, park or public or private grounds within the city, or the running at large or the herding of such animals on any open ground within the city, is hereby prohibited and declared to be a nuisance; provided however, that the city council, with the concurrence of the mayor, may by resolution exempt from the provisions of this chapter such territory or grounds within the city limits as the herding or lariating upon of such animals may not be considered to be a nuisance, giving notice thereof in the official paper of the city for three days.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Sec. 6-263. Poultry to be enclosed.
It shall be unlawful for any person to allow poultry, chickens, hens, turkeys, ducks, geese, or other like fowl to be at large within the city, except in enclosed places on private property.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
DIVISION 2. PERMIT
Sec. 6-266. Required for keeping of livestock or poultry.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, maintain or harbor any horses, goats, sheep, swine, except mini-pigs as defined in article XI of this chapter, cattle or poultry within this city without first obtaining a permit to do so from the health department.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Sec. 6-267. Application.
Any person desiring to obtain a permit required by the provisions of this division shall make application therefor in writing on a form furnished by the health department stating:
(a) The name and location of the applicant.
(b) The kind and number of animals or fowl to be kept.
(c) The name of the person in charge of the animals or fowl, if different from the name and location of the applicant.
(d) Such other information as the department may require.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Sec. 6-268. Investigation.
Upon receipt of an application for a permit required by the provisions of this division, the health officer or his duly authorized representative shall investigate the premises and the manner in which the animals or fowl are to be kept.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Sec. 6-269. Conditions for issuance.
A permit required by the provisions of this division shall be issued only if the location and the keeping of animals or fowl is, in the opinion of the health department, such as not to be a health hazard or nuisance to the surrounding neighborhood.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Sec. 6-270. Revocation.
A permit issued under the provisions of this division may be revoked by the health department for the violation by the permittee of any provision of this division or any other applicable provision of this code, state law or city ordinance, rule or regulation.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Sec. 6-271. Duration.
All permits issued under the provisions of this division shall be valid for a period of one year, running from January 1 to December 31.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Secs. 6-272--6-300. Reserved.
Now after all the laws are read... it was easy. We went downtown to the HEALTH DEPARTMENT, filled out the one sheet piece of paperwork. A health inspector called us a few days later. He asked if we had a chicken coop built yet and was it the proper size for the amount of chicken we wanted. We said yes. He made an appointment with us to come and see the coop. When he arrived he walk around the coop, asked us how many chickens we were going to have and said the smell would be the most important part... to keep it clean so no neighbors get upset. The next day the permit came in the mail. And there was NO COST for the permit. We just have to remember to call the Health Department to renew it in January of every year and state the amount of chickens we have. Oh almost forgot... NO roosters are allowed only hens.
ARTICLE X. LIVESTOCK
Sec. 6-262. Livestock running at large or trespassing on public or private grounds.
The herding or running at large of livestock or other animals upon the streets, avenues, parks, or public grounds within the city, or the picketing, lariating or tying, or securing by rope or other means of any such animal or animals so that such animal can feed, walk, or trespass upon any public street, avenue, alley, park or public or private grounds within the city, or the running at large or the herding of such animals on any open ground within the city, is hereby prohibited and declared to be a nuisance; provided however, that the city council, with the concurrence of the mayor, may by resolution exempt from the provisions of this chapter such territory or grounds within the city limits as the herding or lariating upon of such animals may not be considered to be a nuisance, giving notice thereof in the official paper of the city for three days.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Sec. 6-263. Poultry to be enclosed.
It shall be unlawful for any person to allow poultry, chickens, hens, turkeys, ducks, geese, or other like fowl to be at large within the city, except in enclosed places on private property.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
DIVISION 2. PERMIT
Sec. 6-266. Required for keeping of livestock or poultry.
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, maintain or harbor any horses, goats, sheep, swine, except mini-pigs as defined in article XI of this chapter, cattle or poultry within this city without first obtaining a permit to do so from the health department.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Sec. 6-267. Application.
Any person desiring to obtain a permit required by the provisions of this division shall make application therefor in writing on a form furnished by the health department stating:
(a) The name and location of the applicant.
(b) The kind and number of animals or fowl to be kept.
(c) The name of the person in charge of the animals or fowl, if different from the name and location of the applicant.
(d) Such other information as the department may require.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Sec. 6-268. Investigation.
Upon receipt of an application for a permit required by the provisions of this division, the health officer or his duly authorized representative shall investigate the premises and the manner in which the animals or fowl are to be kept.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Sec. 6-269. Conditions for issuance.
A permit required by the provisions of this division shall be issued only if the location and the keeping of animals or fowl is, in the opinion of the health department, such as not to be a health hazard or nuisance to the surrounding neighborhood.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Sec. 6-270. Revocation.
A permit issued under the provisions of this division may be revoked by the health department for the violation by the permittee of any provision of this division or any other applicable provision of this code, state law or city ordinance, rule or regulation.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Sec. 6-271. Duration.
All permits issued under the provisions of this division shall be valid for a period of one year, running from January 1 to December 31.
(Ord. No. 36463, § 2, 12-16-03)
Secs. 6-272--6-300. Reserved.
Now after all the laws are read... it was easy. We went downtown to the HEALTH DEPARTMENT, filled out the one sheet piece of paperwork. A health inspector called us a few days later. He asked if we had a chicken coop built yet and was it the proper size for the amount of chicken we wanted. We said yes. He made an appointment with us to come and see the coop. When he arrived he walk around the coop, asked us how many chickens we were going to have and said the smell would be the most important part... to keep it clean so no neighbors get upset. The next day the permit came in the mail. And there was NO COST for the permit. We just have to remember to call the Health Department to renew it in January of every year and state the amount of chickens we have. Oh almost forgot... NO roosters are allowed only hens.
