Am I allowed Back Yard Chickens in Town of Greenburgh NY, Westchester?

[christiethorn1]

I am in villiage zoning even though I have 4 plus acres, I ended up calling our zoning board. the head guy was gone that day but the secretary told me she did not think they were allowed. Luckily, the head guy called back and told me since I was not making a business out of it and they were basically going to be pets it was perfectly alright. Thank goodness cuz I was gonna get them anyways

 

[TOGCDandC]

As per Town of Greenburgh Town code (this refers to the Unincorporated areas of the Town of Greenburgh and not the villages):

Section 285-5 Definitions

FARM
A property of at least five acres where general farming, truck gardening, nurseries, greenhouses and similar projects and activities are carried on for gain or profit, but where neither animals nor poultry are maintained except for the use of occupants of the property; also, land under cultivation on which no building exists. This definition does not include the raising of fur-bearing animals, livery or boarding stables, kennels, abattoirs and piggeries.

This means that if you have a pre-existing farm in a residential zoned district you can have chickens.

Under Accessory uses in the R-40 Single family residences section of the code - Section 285-10A(3)(h)


On a lot containing a farm, the keeping of one horse or one cow per acre and a reasonable number of other farm animals, but excluding pigs, bees and fowl.

This is a contradiction in the code, however, this means you cannot house poultry on your property.

Further, Under section 310 Animal Control

DOMESTIC ANIMAL
As defined by the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, any domesticated sheep, horse, cattle, fallow deer, red deer, sika deer, whitetail deer which is raised under license from the Department of Environmental Conservation, llama, goat, swine, fowl, duck, goose, swan, turkey, confined domestic hare or rabbit, pheasant or other bird which is raised in confinement under license from the state Department of Environmental Conservation before release from captivity, except that the varieties of fowl commonly used for cock fights shall not be considered Domestic Animals for the purposes of this chapter.

This means you cannot house poultry on your property.

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to house poultry or fowl on you property in the Town of Greenburgh. Please check you local village ordinaces in Elmsford, Ardsley, Tarrytown, Irvington, Dobss ferry and Hastings to see if you are allowed.

 

[TOGCDandC]

This only refers to cats and dogs but not chickens.

 

[dreid98]

TOGCD
The code is referring to the farming of fowl, which is not allowed. You can keep up to 3 as pets.