advice on how to fight stupid no chickens ordinance

[Sleepy71]

Along with efforts to change the law/ordinance, you should also explore the support of a pilot program, so proper research can be done. Here's an article I came across yesterday: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/back...pularity/story?id=14787483&fb_ref=abc-fb-recs It seems there is a lot of unsubstantiated "fear" and ignorance on this topic, so the better educated your local politicians can become, the stronger chance you/we have in gaining support.

 

[brobry]

that's a good point. thanks. all this helps me in my effort.

and thanks sleepy. this is another avenue to explore. i'm hoping we can make SOME headway, no matter how small

 

[OwlLover]

If the letter was from the town, you stand a chance. If you're willing to compromise, you can turn your chickens into "household pets" by simply getting a large cage, putting puppy pads at the bottom, adding a large stick, and putting your hens in there at night (provided that you have a small number, like 2 or 3.) This also kills two birds with one stone (no pun intended) because predators won't get them. You bring them out into the sunshine in the day. People leave their dogs out in the day and bring them in at night! Like others have said, request the ordinance papers, then when it says only household pets or whatever, just say that they're household pets. I don't guarantee anything, but this is worth a shot.

 

[OldGuy43]

With a lot of hunting I found this:

[Amended 6-8-2011 by L.L. No. 2-2011]

(a) In R-1 and R-2 Districts (These requirements shall not apply in A Districts.):

[1] Animal husbandry shall be for personal use only.

[2] The lot shall be a minimum of five acres in size.

[3] A minimum twenty-five-foot buffer shall be provided on all sides of the lot boundaries.

[4] Fences or corrals must be a minimum of 25 feet from all lot boundaries.

[5] The following schedule shall be adhered to: one horse per two acres; or one cow per two acres; or one sheep per acre; or one goat per acre; or a 36 total of any combination of 12 fully grown chickens, ducks, geese or other fowl or birds of any type per acre. Roosters are forbidden in R zones.

It appears that this law was amended June 8th of this year. When did you start keeping chickens? Article 1, Section 9 of the United States Constitution states, "No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."​

 

[brobry]

i got them in april of this year. my lot is .48 acres but i only have 5 hens, less than half they require per acre.

 

[tsmith1499]

From the looks of the last post, it looks like you might stand a good chance. I am assuming "R" stands for residential. In which case, you couldn't have a Roo. It also only states MAXIMUMS per acre, not minimums. I can see them possibly passing something about a Min. acreage to have them with this coming up. But you have lots of people here who can attest to having no problem with chicks on small properties. A lot is going to depend on how bad this one person doesn't want you to have them. In most places they will have to have some kind of public comments before passing any new ordinance. Start getting sympathy on your side for this meeting for people who will comment in your favor.
Good Luck and keep us posted!

 

[ahuchital]

I plan on moving to the town of Lloyd in the few months and am very interested in the outcome... Any updates?