help amend chicken ordinances in enid, oklahoma

[Smiths]

the people that lived in this house before me had chickens so i assumed i could, but i have been doing some research i dont think i can.I live in a zone marked R-4, and our city ordinance say R-1 agracu or 1 acre plus. sigh guess i need to start looking into changing some laws....

 

[Smiths]

5-7-10: KEEPING LIVESTOCK:

The keeping of livestock, including miniature or dwarf varieties, in violation of any provision of this code is hereby declared to be a nuisance against the public health, safety and welfare of the people of the city of Enid.


A. Definitions:

EGREGIOUS: A violation affecting the health, safety or welfare of persons or animals and which offends common decency.

VIOLATION: The plea of guilty or nolo contendere, a finding of guilt by the court, a deferred adjudication of the charge, or a deferred sentence.

B. Requirements: Livestock may not be kept except on property zoned A agricultural, or R-1 residential estate, or lots one acre or larger.
1. Preexisting Operations; Restrictions: Livestock operations inconsistent with this section that were in existence prior to August 15, 2007, are allowed to continue if registered. Male chickens over six (6) months of age shall not be eligible for registration and shall not be kept except on property zoned A agricultural, or R-1 residential estate, or lots one acre or larger.
2. Registration Required: Registration is intended to protect the current "grandfathering" of livestock operations, and shall only apply to owners/operators of livestock operations which were in existence prior to August 15, 2007, and which do not comply with this subsection B. Owners/operators of such livestock operations shall have through May 15, 2011, to register. The registration shall include the number and the type of livestock that the operation had prior to August 15, 2007.
a. Conditions:
(1) Applicant shall submit an application on a city of Enid authorized form and provide documentation acceptable to the city clerk showing ownership of livestock prior to August 15, 2007; and
(2) A stable or other housing where animals may be kept shall be maintained in a sanitary condition and in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws and administrative rules; and
(3) Livestock must be contained inside of a substantial fence of sufficient strength and height to prevent the livestock from escaping therefrom; and
(4) The property on which livestock is kept must be maintained in such a manner as to prevent livestock waste from draining or otherwise transferring onto adjoining property, to prevent potential contamination of groundwater, and to otherwise prevent conditions which constitute a nuisance; and
(5) Applicant shall authorize city officials and livestock board members to enter and inspect any property or animal housing at a reasonable time and under reasonable circumstances for the purpose of determining whether the registration requirements have been met and/or maintained.
b. Proof Of Registration: Should applicant's registration be approved, the city shall mail a letter confirming registration to the applicant's address. Registration shall be valid only for the applicant and address listed and shall remain valid unless revoked. Should applicant move the livestock from the registered address to another address within the city, applicant shall be required to update his or her registration to reflect the new address.
c. Revocation: Livestock registration shall be revoked:
(1) Upon the recommendation of the livestock board; or
(2) Upon three (3) violations of any local, state or federal law or administrative rule reasonably related to the keeping of livestock; or
(3) Upon one egregious violation of any local, state or federal law or administrative rule reasonably related to the keeping of livestock; or
(4) If the registrant ceases livestock operations for a period of six (6) months; or
(5) Upon the death of the registrant.
d. Notice: Upon denial or revocation of registration, the city shall give notice of such action to the applicant or registrant, in writing, stating the action which has been taken and the reason therefor. Such notice shall either be hand delivered or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address listed on the application.
(1) Within thirty (30) days of the notice of denial or revocation, the applicant or registrant shall remove all livestock, enclosures, shelter, feed and containers from the premises. Permanent fixtures such as barns and outbuildings shall not be required to be removed.
e. Appeal: The applicant or registrant shall have the right to appeal the decision to deny or revoke registration to the mayor and board of commissioners by filing written notice thereof with the city clerk within ten (10) days of the denial or revocation.

C. Penalty: The violation of this section shall be a class B offense. Each separate day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. Livestock kept in violation of this section shall be subject to abatement by the city. (Ord. 2010-15, 12-14-2010)

http://www.sterlingcodifiers.com/codebook/index.php?book_id=514

 

[Smiths]

and im guessing ths is the group of people i need to educate and convince on changing the ordinance

LIVESTOCK BOARD

Advisory to the City Commission on matters relating to livestock.

Purpose:

• To make recommendations to and assist the Mayor and Board of Commissioners on matters involving livestock;
• To provide advice and education on best practices regarding the care and handling of livestock;
• To develop forums and/or activities to promote safe, clean and healthy livestock operations within the city of Enid;
• To adopt any necessary rules and regulations for conducting its business;
• To hear complaints about livestock;
• To refer any matter to the appropriate City, State or Federal official for further action.

Board Membership and Qualifications: Five residents of the city of Enid comprised of the following:

• A person with knowledge of proper livestock operations, such as an agricultural teacher, 4H teacher/advisor, veterinarian, or an agricultural related business person;
• A registered livestock owner;
• A livestock owner who is not required to register;
• Two at-large residents who shall demonstrate knowledge of or interest in livestock operations.

Terms of Office: Three years.

Meeting Schedule: Meets on call as needed.

Current Membership:
• David McCreary
• Monte McMeans
• Marva Hamlin
• Rosy Biggs
• Kevin Hackett

 

[Smiths]

5-7-4: KEEPING OF SWINE5:


A. Limitations On Keeping: No person shall keep or maintain swine within the limits of the city, except in those areas zoned for agricultural purposes or for the hauling or transportation of swine into or through the city for the purpose of shipment, processing or sale so long as said swine are not permitted to remain in the city for a longer period than twenty four (24) hours.

B. Potbellied Pigs Excepted; Conditions: This section shall not apply to the keeping within the limits of the city of Asian potbellied pigs, subject to the following:
1. Each potbellied pig shall be a pet kept for personal enjoyment and not raised for human consumption;
2. Each potbellied pig shall be registered through a bona fide registry firm;
3. Each potbellied pig shall not exceed seventy five (75) pounds in weight and twenty inches (20") in height. (Ord. 2009-29, 12-21-2009)

can keep a 75 pound pig but not a few 3-6 pound hens

 

[Smiths]

am going to start a petition soon was wondering if anyone could give me ideals on things to put in a small few page packet of educational material to help sway people to sign the petition

 

[Smiths]

this is my first draft of a petition thoughts ideas suggestions please thanks.



Dear City of Enid Board Members,
We, the undersigned Enid, Oklahoma residents, appreciate urban agriculture and the potential for residents of urban communities to produce healthful food and help protect the natural environment by reducing dependence on industrial-scale farming. We believe that small-scale backyard hen-keeping and the wholesome eggs they produce can be an integral part of sustainable urban agriculture. We publicly seek modifications of Enid, Oklahoma city ordinances so as to allow backyard hen-keeping in Enid neighborhoods and to limit the number of backyard hens, prohibit roosters, and help ensure secure, proper and humane housing for hens.
Sincerely, Smith Family and citizens of Enid, oklahoma
　

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[Smiths]

petitions printed face book page started will work on web site when i get home from work
https://www.facebook.com/enidcoop

 

[NotInThecity]

This was a very heated issue a few years ago...found one article in the Enid paper here: http://enidnews.com/localnews/x6035...ovement-over-last-try-previous-dissenters-say. There are more articles, but this was the first I could find.

If you check out the Enid Public Library's Facebook page, they just had a meeting July 12th with information covering keeping backyard chickens. Handouts are available at the library.

The former Enid City Attorney is very active with the livestock ordinances(she was the person responsible for the library meeting). She would be the one to contact for more information as she has just been through this process. From what I remember reading, it got very complicated.

Hope this helps!

 

[Smiths]

awesome thanks id ran across the one article but didnt know about the more recent stuff

 

[Smiths]

is anyone good a designing or drawing i'm not and want some nice poster boards to draw people in to sign petitions at walmart and our atwoods home and ranch store wood apreciate anything that might help