Anyone else want to be able to have chickens in Fort Smith, AR?

[Cornychick]

I was just wondering if there were others out there that had chickens or were wanting chickens in the City of Fort Smith? I have a huge backyard by city standards but still shy of the requirements.


Sec. 4-8. Poultry animals and rabbits.
(a) It shall be unlawful to keep on any residentially zoned real property of less than one-half ( 1/2) acre or twenty-one thousand seven hundred eighty (21,780) square feet within the city any poultry animals or more than two (2) rabbits. If two (2) rabbits are kept, both rabbits shall be of the same sex or at least one of the rabbits shall be incapable of reproduction. School children actively enrolled in a 4-H, FHA or school-related projects involving the raising of chickens or rabbits shall be exempt from this section. Any person possessing a valid state or federal permit or license to possess wildlife shall also be exempt from this section.
(b) Any person convicted of violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor and shall be subject to punishment as set forth in section 1-9 of this Code.
(Ord. No. 49-94, §§ 1, 2, 9-13-94; Ord. No. 30-00, 6-20-00)

 

[Mahonri]

Sounds like it's time to join 4-H.

 

[Cornychick]

That's kinda my thought as well. I have tried to get info online about 4-H but its very vague. Looks like you have to have an "active" project. How long can a project be active? Don't they just raise chicks up to sell at the fair? I would like to be able to keep a few hens year round.