Auburn, Alabama laws on chickens in city limits?

[artist chick]

I live outside the city limits as of a year ago, but many of my friends are jealous of the fact that I now have chickens. How can I find out the law on owning chickens within the city limits? I've spent a little time wandering around the web trying to figure it out, but I'm obviously not looking in the right place. I'd love to be able to tell those folks they CAN have chickens right where they live.

Thanks for any help!
Leslie

 

[dstoeck]

I moved to Auburn about a year ago. Since living here I've met one family that has chickens and know of another family cuz I pass their house every day.
I had to be the goofus to write the city. According to City Code (http://www.auburnalabama.org/code/) raising chickens is not allowed within the livestock zone...which is basically the city limits.

harumph! We need to get this changed so that folks can keep 2 or 3 chickens without the roosters.

 

[artist chick]

First, welcome to Auburn! I hope you enjoy being here- I love this area. It's a great place to raise a family.

Second, thank you for answering my question. I'm sad to find out that Auburn doesn't allow chickens. That's really too bad! It would be good to change that, I agree.

Thank you again!
Leslie

 

[artist chick]

Hm. I think I may have spotted a possible loophole. It says in Section 4-2, areas where livestock is prohibited, point (4), that "Nothing contained within this section shall prohibit the maintaining or keeping of the various animals described in subsection (b) for the purposes of instruction, experimentation or research at any institute of higher learning."

Now, would my homeschool be considered an institute of higher learning?

Just a thought. I don't live within the city limits anymore, but that phrase struck me when I saw it. Do you happen to homeschool?

 

[dstoeck]

good try, but homeschool is not "higher learning". that is descriptive of Auburn University which is in the city limits of Auburn. and no, I don't home school. My daughter and I would kill each other ! LOL!

Like I said, I know of 2 homes in the city limits that have chickens. One is on Dean Road..and you can see the chickens from the road. They used to have a rooster (cuz you could hear it crow from time to time), but now I think he only has chickens. I'm about to get my nerve to say "howdy" to my neighbor and ask how he gets away with it.

the other person I know is a prominent citizen in the city and he simply stated "I dare someone to come and get them" when I asked him how he is able to to do it.

So, like maybe there are rules but no enforcement unless someone complains about the nuisance of noise and/or smell.

 

[artist chick]

I've heard about the chickens on Dean Rd.

Definitely ask your neighbor how he does it!

Well, it was a thought, anyway (about home schooling).

 

[tcltoughmom]

Can you look up the county you live and look up noise ordiance, and it might have some info. With todays economy everyone will start getting chickens. I have a noise ordance for dogs from 11 pm to 7 am and any loud noise like chainsaws, motorcycles etc but not on chickens, some towns just dont allow roosters- you can have chickens, Good luck Teresa in WV

 

[artist chick]

Thanks so much, Teresa! That would be an interesting thing to find out, too. I think dstoeck found the link to the actual ordinance that prohibits chickens within the city limits, so now we just have to try to get this changed.

Thanks again!

 

[MichaelM]

I am a long time breeder of chickens and other exotic birds, but have not had any during the 16 months I have lived in Auburn. I recently purchased a home in Auburn that has a large back yard with privacy fence around it. I realize chickens would be likely out of question, but I'm wondering if I can get by with having a few non-native quail (Valley or Mountain Quail), and/or Golden pheasants. None of these species are very loud. Also, I know in many cities such codes are not vigorously enforced unless someone complains. Is that the way it works in Auburn? Any info appreciated. Thanks,

Michael

 

[FaithAnn]

Quote:
This is the code section that would apply:

Sec. 4-2. Areas where livestock prohibited.
(a) The stock district shall be as established by the governing body and shown on a map on file in
the office of the city manager.
(b) Inside the stock district described above, it is hereby declared that the keeping or maintaining of
any horse, mule, cow, sheep, goat, hog, fowl or any other such animal is a nuisance and the persons in control
of any premises where such animals are kept or maintained shall abate such nuisance.
(c) Outside the stock district described above, the keeping or maintaining of any horse, mule, cow,
sheep, goat, hog, fowl or any other such animal shall be regulated by Article V of the Zoning Ordinance of the
City of Auburn.
(d) Nothing contained within this section shall prohibit the maintaining or keeping of the various
animals described in subsection (b) for the purposes of instruction, experimentation or research at any
institution of higher learning.
(Ord. No. 319, §§ 1--3, 10-5-65; Ord. No. 1888, § 1, 12-21-99)
Cross References: Nuisances, Ch. 15.
Secs. 4-3--4-18. Reserved.


Apparently, you need to find out what the "stock district" is and if you are a part of it. If not, then you have to refer to Article V, which I cannot locate on the internet. You should ask for a copy of that article if you are not part of the "stock district". I would interpret this statute to refer to any type of bird - fowl would have its usual meaning - "1. the domestic or barnyard hen or rooster; chicken.
2. any of several other, usually gallinaceous, birds that are barnyard, domesticated, or wild, as the duck, turkey, or pheasant.
3. (in market and household use) a full-grown domestic fowl for food purposes, as distinguished from a chicken or young fowl.
4. the flesh or meat of a domestic fowl.
5. any bird (used chiefly in combination): waterfowl; wildfowl." - so that would most likely include quail, etc.

Good luck.