Anyone from Crest Hill or Joliet, Il? *HELP!*

[Brittany0309]

hi, all. I'm wondering if anyone on here is from Crest Hill or Joliet? We ordered ducks and chickens before the city told us it was against the law to have them (even though the only provision they could cite was that fowl can't poop on private property) and I'm wondering if anyone has an issue with the village and their fowl? Any help is appreciated!

 

[dumb_cluck]

Are you SURE that statement is correct?

If they can't poop on PRIVATE property, does that mean they CAN on public property?

 

[Brittany0309]

This is their quoted provision:

It is unlawful for the owner or any person in charge thereof to permit
or suffer any pigeons or domestic fowl to defecate upon or injure any
person, roof, walkway, flowers, grass plots, shrubs, vegetable or flower
garden in any private lot or any other private property within the city.


This is the only other provision that applies to fowl:

6.04.010
No dogs, horses, mules, cattle, sheep, goats, cats, swine or domestic
fowl of the species of geese, ducks, turkeys, hens or barn fowl, guinea
fowl, peacocks, pigeons or bees shall be permitted to run or fly at large
within the limits of the city.
RUNNING AT LARGE UNLAWFUL; ANIMALS ENUMERATED.

But if I'm not allowed to have chickens and ducks then why are you telling me they can't be at large? I feel that is a little contradictive....

 

[dumb_cluck]

That's what I was getting at........ the "rules" are not explicit enough.

I don't know how much you want these birds, but I would definitely question the "ordinance" as written.

If you can afford it, I would get a GOOD lawyer or bump this to the higher level of BYC which had information about raising chickens, etc in town.

 

[Brittany0309]

They haven't come yet- they ship Monday- but I'm thinking the chickens I can live without. It's the ducks that my husband won't want to get rid of. I posted on the board for town ordinances and laws and how to change them but no one responded....

 

[Oregon Blues]

Well, if you are going to live in a privately owned home, how are you going to prevent the birds from pooping on your privately owned land, which would be illegal?

 

[missy5]

Ok, i hope i get this right. I'm having a problem where i am but it's about a dog not chickens or ducks. Yours sounds pretty simple, i think they are saying that if you have chickens and ducks they are not allowd to fly and poop anywhere but in your own yard. If you do walk you're chickens and ducks they must be leashed and you must scoop poop like you would if you were walking a dog, lol. Thats the only thing i can see from what i've read. Good luck, Angie.

 

[Brittany0309]

Right, but they're saying that my land is "private property" and therefore makes it illegal to own the chickens and ducks.

 

[dumb_cluck]

They haven't come yet- they ship Monday- but I'm thinking the chickens I can live without. It's the ducks that my husband won't want to get rid of. I posted on the board for town ordinances and laws and how to change them but no one responded....

Yup, they will not help you find out how. They don't want the "apple cart" upset. You will need to go in person to the zoning department and request information about having ducks and chickens on private property. Don't take their word, ask for a copy of the "law". The HAVE to give it to you.

Also, while you are there see what your property is zoned as, i.e., commercial, residential, agricultural, etc This info may also be mentioned in your deed.

 

[Brittany0309]

Good news! The woman I originally spoke with just emailed me to say she misspoke and my babies are LEGAL! YAY! Thank you, everyone, for your help!