Arizona Chickens

[Demosthine]

From looking at the City Code, your situation appears a bit more complicated than some of the others. According to their website, SF-6 is designated for lots that are between 6,000 and 8,000 square feet, Zone SF-8 is for 8,000-10,000. There are additional requirements for setback minimums and total coverage, but if your lot is more than 8,000 square feet, it's possible it was zoned correctly. See this page for the details.

You can check your exact lot's square footage at the Maricopa County Assessor's website. At the bottom of the page, under the "Additional Component Information (for this parcel)" there should be a link for "Characteristics. Clicking on that will change the page and display your "Lot Square Footage." If you take this information down to your City Hall or your Department of Zoning (or whatever they are called for Gilbert), they should be able to help you get it rezoned correctly. Not knowing where you live, I can't pull up any additional information for you, though.

I would definitely try to fight it. If you are fighting it, generally, you are granted reprieve from having to take immediate action and having the animals removed. I would agree, it is most likely a neighbor that decided to have a problem with it. The letter should explain some sort of recourse for disputing the information. If you'd like, PM me with your address and information. I'll see how much more I can pull up.


If it comes down to removing the animals while you are fighting it, I'd be willing to keep them for awhile for you. My wife was actually just asking about "borrowing" some chickens to take care of our cricket problem we have at the moment. I'd have to clear it with her first, but that would give you an option. There are others on your side of town that would likely do the same for you. Keep us updated, too!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote

currentVote

noRating
noWeight












Hello everyone,
I am new to this forum and need help.
For almost 2 years I have had chickens and 1.5 years I have a couple of ducks. Today I received a letter from the Town of Gilbert in AZ that I need to remove them from my property. My lot is over 8000 sq ft therefor I believed I could have up to 25 fowl on my property (according to their codes). However in this letter it states I am located in a SF-6 zone. On the one hand cats are considered "free range" and the Town of Gilbert has no control of them. Yet one is not aloud to have free-range chickens HMMMM.

Please if anyone can help me, I feel it is time for local Gilbert back-yard chicken lovers to unite and change town codes. Any help on legal rights I have is very much appreciated. I have two weeks to before my chickens have to go. PLEASE HELP They are my pets and I love them like all my other pets.

Thank you,
sevenrays

From looking at the City Code, your situation appears a bit more complicated than some of the others. According to their website, SF-6 is designated for lots that are between 6,000 and 8,000 square feet, Zone SF-8 is for 8,000-10,000. There are additional requirements for setback minimums and total coverage, but if your lot is more than 8,000 square feet, it's possible it was zoned correctly. See this page for the details.

You can check your exact lot's square footage at the Maricopa County Assessor's website. At the bottom of the page, under the "Additional Component Information (for this parcel)" there should be a link for "Characteristics. Clicking on that will change the page and display your "Lot Square Footage." If you take this information down to your City Hall or your Department of Zoning (or whatever they are called for Gilbert), they should be able to help you get it rezoned correctly. Not knowing where you live, I can't pull up any additional information for you, though.

I would definitely try to fight it. If you are fighting it, generally, you are granted reprieve from having to take immediate action and having the animals removed. I would agree, it is most likely a neighbor that decided to have a problem with it. The letter should explain some sort of recourse for disputing the information. If you'd like, PM me with your address and information. I'll see how much more I can pull up.


If it comes down to removing the animals while you are fighting it, I'd be willing to keep them for awhile for you. My wife was actually just asking about "borrowing" some chickens to take care of our cricket problem we have at the moment. I'd have to clear it with her first, but that would give you an option. There are others on your side of town that would likely do the same for you. Keep us updated, too!
Zones are not usually independant to the property, but designated for all properties within specific boundaries. While most will conform to the description (such as the 6000-8000 sq ft,), if the properties were platted before being brought into the city, there may be some nonconforming lots. For example, in my zone all lots are supposed to be a full acre, but here are many in my neighborhood that are quite a bit less.

The OP should verify their zoning, though

 

[Demosthine]

Zones are not usually independant to the property, but designated for all properties within specific boundaries. While most will conform to the description (such as the 6000-8000 sq ft,), if the properties were platted before being brought into the city, there may be some nonconforming lots. For example, in my zone all lots are supposed to be a full acre, but here are many in my neighborhood that are quite a bit less.

The OP should verify their zoning, though

Interesting. I wonder if it is different for each city or in general. A few years ago, one of the properties a few block North of me was applying to change their zoning so that they could have an Emu farm. It was a public process through the City, if I remember right. We had the opportunity to go down to the zoning hearing and voice our opinions. Ultimately, it was rezoned without any problems. The was before North Peoria exploded and annexed all the way up to Lake Pleasant, though. It should be the same process as having your property re-assessed for tax purposes, in the ideal world.

If it can't be rezoned, well, I don't know. It might be worth the fight.

 

[sevenrays]

Thank you all for responding,
yes, I had thought about getting my property rezoned not sure how this would work. The other thing is says: Animal Raising, non-commercial, is not allowed, which is interpreted "The keeping, grazing or feeding of fowl or animals not for profit (Chickens, pets or otherwise, are classified as fowl) So this interpretation would include dogs and cats, hamster and guinea pig since they are animal that we feed and not make a profit from?

I also had another thought of a possible loop hole: I claim an urban farm. Not sure if that is possible according to Town codes/zoning but wouldn't it be possible to claim an urban farm on which I raise and grow food (I currently started a Moringa tree grove and plan to add growing more fruit and vegies that I can sell at farmers markets. Does anyone know about those requirements having an urban farm and selling my items on the farmers market for localizing food?

I will appeal to give myself more time, that is for sure.

The following is the letter I received:

The town of Gilbert received a complaint regarding roosters, chickens, and ducks being kept at property you own or control at 581 E Sherri Dr.

The property in which you reside is located in a SF-6 residential zoning district, the Land Development Code section and table 2.103 states the Animal Raising, Non-Commercial, is not and allowed use in such a district.

I acknowledge that the property at 581 E Sherri Dr is noted in the Maricopa Assessor records as being in excess of 8000 sq ft, but the code relates to the established zoning district and does not examine each property individually.

The definition of "Animal Raising, Non Commercial" is: the keeping, grazing or feeding of fowl or animals not for profit (chickens, pets or otherwise, are classified as fowl). Pets??? Would that mean dogs and cats too??This sounds confusing. ANd "not for profit" can I argue they profit my life, my wellbeing so they are being held for profit?

Therefore, it is being requested that if you do have such animals at your property that they may be removed. An inspection will be conducted in two weeks from the date on this letter to check for compliance.

If you disagree with my interpretation of the code, you are at liberty to request a zoning interpretation from the Zoning Administrator. This can be done by submitting a letter setting out your argument, observations, conclusion, exibits, etc, together with a fee of$305, and sending this to the Town.........

So for me to respond and make my case I would have to pay the Town $305???

Thank you all for responding,
sevenrays​

 

[sevenrays]

I just checked the recorders office site my lot is 11,944 sq ft almost twice the size the SF-6 requires.

 

[sevenrays]

Beehappy4ever, thanks but they define specifically what exotic pets are and what falls under the category of fowl

 

[kevs-chickadees]

Ugh. Such a lousy day. Our A/C is acting up, and with all of this rain, there is a leak in the ceiling. I have no idea how the water got in, since the roof is just fine, but the water is drip, drip, dripping out of the ceiling in the living room. The only good thing is that its fairly cool, so with an extra fan it won't be too hot to sleep tonight.

Is your ac up in your attic? If so with all this humidity there could be extra condensate and your lines might not be able to handle it. Just a thought

 

[sevenrays]

I am hoping to connect with a group of Gilbert AZ chicken lovers to pursue a change of codes. As a group we have more power to convince the possibility of allowing chickens in the SF-6 zones and up not only SF 8 and up. Are there any chicken lovers out there in Gilbert?

Here is a great report I like to share and repost. I found it here in the forum:

http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2119494

It's a free download very useful in pursuing Town Officials to make a change.

 

[pollyg]

Hello, I live in Phoenix Az and i am relocating to Gilbert where no chickens are allowed. I am wondering if u or anyone u might know is interested in taking over the care of my 3 hens and 1 rooster along with the coop for Free. Im just looking to find a good home for them and hoping u will Love them as much as I do too. 2 of them are wellsummers and the other 2 are jersey giants and are approx 6-8 months old, only one is laying eggs. I am sad to have to find new homes for them and would appreciate it if u ask around and let me know. Thanks in advance

 

[pollyg]

I will be relocating to Gilbert in November from Phoenix and have to find a new home for my chickens since Gilbert HOAs dont allow any chickens. If u know of anyone interested please let me know. They have a large coop that we built for them. Thx