Beaverton, OR forcing me to give up my birds :(

[wildorchid053]

how about you move the coop into the garage? that way they are indoors and you didn't need to get a permit to build? and i would definately put on a chicken diaper and take some, in the house pictures for the court. we have parrots why not chickens???? gl

 

[valereee]

Don't wait for them to do the research -- it may not be fair or accurate. Do it for them. I have a document link on My Page to a research document that goes into HUGE detail on every possible objection to chickens we could come up with. Edit it to apply to your area, then provide copies of it to your city council members.

Quote:

 

[ellieroo]

Years ago we ran into that with my husbands hobby, Racing Pigeons. We worked hard and had lots of help and Changed the ordinance. the American Racing Pigeon Org. has gone to battle serveral times across the country and won for their fliers! There must be a similar support structure for chickens!?

 

[The Chicken People]

When I lived in Beaverton my neighbor had chickens that tore up my flower beds and ate my tomatoes. Good Luck!

 

[chickerdoodle]

I attended and spoke at the meeting in Beaverton even though I live in unincorporated Washington County (I can legally have as many chickens as I want). I am an animal behaviorist with a background in veterinary medicine and plan on getting chickens in the spring. The council was very interested in the outpouring of almost all pro chicken attendees. We cannot depend on this continuing due to more folks hearing of this meeting and coming out to speak against the idea. One good thing is Gresham just got a new ordinance that allows 3 hens.

I did recommended to change some of the language of the ordinance to make more folks compliant and therefore it would be more palatable for neighbors who fear the idea--and give you a much better chance of it being approved. The council asked for us to do so by speaking with their staff. My belief is that with more stringent coop requirements to keep out rats and eliminate odors is what they are looking for to go ahead and get this approved.

I have to agree with them being household pets as there are many who keep their dogs outdoors all the time (I do not condone this practice myself). You may have a very small chance at an appeal but not being a lawyer I cannot be sure of this . If you keep your hens in a clean, odor free and well protected coop and they are friendly to people your chances should be better as they can see they are indeed pets. I wish you well and hope you keep us posted as I have a keen interest in the outcome.

 

[mrandmrschicken]

In May of this year we received a similair letter from our City Administrator. It cited the code and said that poultry was considered livestock. The difference beeing that the only way you could keep livestock in the city limits was by the written consent of the City Council. We jumped through the hoops and got on the agenda for the next meeting. At the end of a long half hour where no member wanted to make a motion, almost dead silence, it was decided by a vote of 4 to 1 to let us keep the chickens as long as we kept them penned. Our coop is in the garage and we fenced in the area under the deck for the birds to run in. We still let them out but only when we are home for a bit in the evenings to free range so as to gather no complaints. We have far more people who find it interesting and support us. we also have great neighbors. The birds also go to school on occassion to entertain the Headstart children.
Perhaps, just perhaps you could ask for some time to bring this to the councils attention. To find examples of the growing popularity of urban chicken raising and sway them to change the code. Thats how it is done. Do not delay. It does not take a lawyer to add an item to the councils agenda. I responded as directed with a very up beat positive letter addressed to the city council and to the administrator, that the Mayor really liked. It may also buy you some time.
At the end of the day, proper chicken raising, respecting others and being willing to compromise is how these things are accomplished.
Best of luck to you and if I can be of help, don't hesitate to ask. My argument was that our chickens are pets too. They are show birds and they are. We do not process ours for food and we are not an agricultural business.

 

[wyattburp]

Thanks for all the replies!

For the record, I was just kidding about attaching their house to mine...though I am looking at how this city code is being applied and exploring all options. If anyone has had any dealings with the city of Beaverton themselves, please let me know!

UPDATE!!!

AFAIK, it isn't any sort of admittance of guilt to be cited. I spoke with the city late last week and told them I believed I wasn't violating any law, that they are our pets, etc. The next day we our citation in the mail, along with a court date. I'll update these forums as we go through this process.

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
I like that! If a dog can be kept 100% outdoors and still be considered a 'household pet' then I don't see why a bird can't. While you're taking pics of your diapered chickies, also get pics of any neighbors backyards (particularly if you know who it was who snitched) and show that they too are keeping animals (dog, cat, etc) not in their household. If they are not cited as you are then it's a clear case of discrimination. Or a grudge.

Fair is fair after all...

Oh, and if you happen to have a recorder, use it. Of course being sure to let them know you are recording "because you were advised (don't have to say just by some crazy pineapple not a lawyer person) to do so for your own protection"

Most people, particularly those who love to harass other people, do NOT like having their harassment recorded.
*see collection agency topic*

 

[goddessmikhail]

I am also in Beaverton and I personally interpreted the laws the same way. My next door neighbor complained to the city right after I brought my girls home (I have two hens) and set them up which was at the beginning of the summer 2009. I called the city when I got the notice and argued in three different phone conversations. He said to qualify as a "household pet" that the girls would need to live inside my house. I told him flat out that children in the park my home backs up to are way noisier and that alot of dogs and cats are left outside nonstop and are still considered household pets. What I ended up discovering was that my next door neighbor actually called because she was jealous since she was told when she moved to Beaverton that chickens were not allowed and wondered if something changed when she noticed we suddenly had them. So, the guy from the city told me (without telling me) that as long as they don't get complaints that I won't hear from them and that I should talk to my neighbor. My girls went under the neighbors fence one day and my husband went over to ask if he could go int their backyard and chase them back. The neighbor was super nice and said we could go back there if we ever need to etc. So, I did not get rid of my girls and am an outlaw but none of my neighbors seem to mind and I live right in old town Beaverton. I have the coop hid in such a way that you would really have to get into my backyard to know they are there. I wish I had known about all the meetings about chickens - I would have attended! Though I must admit I am fearful of doing much since it might make the city take notice of me and my rebel chickens.

 

[hm_benjamin]

I spoke to the sister-in-law of Ernie Conway, currently running for City Council. She happens to be my first grade sons teacher. I asked her about his stand on Beaverton's City Ordinance regarding chickens. She said he will be changing the ordinance, if elected, to allow the chickens here in Beaverton. He is a community first man (avid bike rider, runner, etc..)! We have 6 chickens. If we are "caught" we plan to move the coop to the garage and call them our "house pets". I thought the City of Beaverton prides themselves on being so "SUSTAINABLE". Maybe those in power should follow that thinking...