This is a little messy, so bear with me. I'm just trying to share what I've found in case anyone else has the same questions I do, or if anyone else has some insight they can clarify some things or provide additional information.
My husband got some info from a guy he works with in Gilbert that helped my searches and helped me kind of understand some of what the info means. I was able to find the info I need for Gilbert zoning. My understanding from this page (
http://www.ci.gilbert.az.us/planning/pdf/LDC/Article_2-1_Single Family_AMD_7-23-10.pdf ) on page 3 it seems I can have chickens as long as I have at least 8,000 sqft of land according to the zone permits (Animal Raising, Non-Commercial, SF-8). This might be incorrect, that's just how I've interpreted the information.
Starting at the end of page 14 and continuing on to page 15 it describes sqft required for different animals. I didn't really understand what this part meant at the end of page 14 (sec 2.107 Additional Use Regulations) "a. On each lot up to 20,000 net square feet of area, any combination of up to 25 rodents and fowl are permitted. For each additional 20,000 square feet of lot area, an additional 25 rodents or fowl are permitted.
b. Aviaries shall be located at least 100 feet from any property line." That says UP TO 20,000 sqft, so do I need at least 20,000 sqft or do I need at least 8,000 sqft (which I got from the table on page 3 I mentioned earlier) and can only have 25 rodents/fowl unless I have an additional 20,000 ft? It's really confusing me. And please don't think I'm planning on having 25 chickens on 8,000 sqft. I will probably only get 4 tops. Wait, I think I've got it now. Maybe it means to have 25 of a rodent/fowl I need 20,000 sqft, and so if I have less land, I have to have fewer animals. Ok, moving on.
Further down on page 15 it says, "2. Livestock. Large and small livestock animals are permitted on lots of 15,000 net square feet and larger. The number of livestock are determined as follows:
a. One large livestock animal is permitted for each 10,000 square feet of net lot area.
b. One small livestock animal is permitted for each 5,000 square feet of net lot area."
Ok, on this page (
http://library6.municode.com/default-now/home.htm?infobase=12036&doc_action=whatsnew ) in Chapter 6 Article III, fowl is defined as "chicken, duck, turkey, pigeon, macaw, parrot, peacock, and other large bird" and small livestock is defined as "sheep, goat and pot-bellied pig." So if I'm right about being able to have chickens on at least an 8,000 sqft lot, if I want a goat I will still at least have to have a 15,000 sqft lot.
Unfortunately, all this information I've found is for Gilbert, where I would LOVE to live ultimately, it's where I grew up and it's a wonderful community, I have a lot of friends and family there, but I could never afford a home there even with as small as a 15,000 sqft yard.
I'm still searching like crazy for something this informative for Queen Creek. The best I could find so far is this (
http://www.queencreek.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=6732 ) Halfway down on page 15, under Other is Agriculture, further into detail is "General agriculture uses, agribusiness, entertainment farming" which is permitted on an acre lot and up only (zone codes R1-43, R1-54, R1-145, R1-190, and A-1) A little below that one is "All other agriculture, including mini-farms, community gardens, and farmer's markets" which are permitted in the same zones as the "General agriculture uses" etc, but conditional permits can be obtained for smaller lots. It looks to me that Queen Creek is pickier about its zoning, which surprised me. I imagined it would be more laid back. Oh well. My question here is if anyone knows what the difference between "General agriculture uses, agribusiness, entertainment farming" and "All other agriculture, including mini-farms, community gardens, and farmer's markets" is? More specifically, what's entertainment farming and what makes a mini-farm? My first impression is because I want chickens, a goat, and a garden, it would be considered a mini-farm. But I don't know. Hopefully the specifics won't matter too much since the house I'm really interested in in Queen Creek is on 1.25 acres so it won't matter what category it fits under.
That's it, sorry again it's so long and this is such a mess. I hate government documents, they can't make anything understandable to the average idiot like myself, haha. Still, I hope it at least helps someone else who might be looking for these documents and hopefully someone on here is a genius who can clear it up for us. Thank you!
, I will be looking for some interesting hens. I would like another Marans and some "pink eggers". Can't wait!
