Can I refuse to re-home my rooster?

[astridmanzo]

Some Karen called code enforcement on us because we had some dry leaves on our front yard. The inspector heard our rooster that no one has complained about and he said he needs to go.

We talked to our neighbors months ago when Riley started crowing and they all said that they don't mind the crowing. We give them eggs sometimes and we're all happy.

It doesn't make sense to get rid of my rooster if no one in the area is bothered by him.

Is there anything I can do? We are in an unincorporated zone in Pinellas County, Florida.

 

[Cecisflock]

I f you are in and unincorporated zone the state laws are what you have to follow, the city cant do sh*t. So if it was a city officer, yes you can refuse.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

If you're in the sticks, your neighbors aren't bothered by it, you're following your state laws and it was a city officer, you can refuse. I don't see any problem that would make you have to get rid of Riley.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

I f you are in and unincorporated zone the state laws are what you have to follow, the city cant do sh*t. So if it was a city officer, yes you can refuse.

x2

 

[45lk9p459gm-w]

If they complained about dry leaves in the front yard ...... maybe it's a deed restriction issue in the community you live in.

 

[Cecisflock]

If they complained about dry leaves in the front yard ...... maybe it's a deed restriction issue in the community you live in.

i love your signature btw

 

[45lk9p459gm-w]

i love your signature btw

Thank you .... It's the voices (they never shut up)

 

[astridmanzo]

I f you are in and unincorporated zone the state laws are what you have to follow, the city cant do sh*t. So if it was a city officer, yes you can refuse.

It was a pinellas county official so I don't know where that leaves me.

 

[astridmanzo]

If they complained about dry leaves in the front yard ...... maybe it's a deed restriction issue in the community you live in.

We're not a in a deed restricted community.

 

[ScratchNbawk]

According to your county, unincorporated parts of Pinellas are subject to local laws and ordinances— and are governed by the county (Not the state). If you’re subject to the code about leaves in your yard, the other codes probably apply as well.
I’m not sure if you have any laws about chickens or roosters, but I did find this about noise:

Pinellas County uses a decibel-based noise control program that places maximum limits on noise allowed on a property. In residential areas between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., a noise level of 72dBA (decibels) is allowed. Normal maintenance and use of equipment such as lawn mowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and flushing boat motors are all conventional to everyday life and are exempted when used reasonably during these hours. After 11 p.m., the allowable level is reduced to 55dBA. As an example, normal conversation between two people standing five feet apart would measure about 55dBA.

We talked to our neighbors months ago when Riley started crowing and they all said that they don't mind the crowing. We give them eggs sometimes and we're all happy.

It was really considerate of you to talk to your neighbors, but you may not always get an honest response- and someone’s opinion can change over time. Either way, it seems like it may not matter if the crowing actually bothered someone if it’s above a certain decibel noise level.
Of course you can try to do something about it! Because you live in an unincorporated area, you may have more flexibility. If it comes down to it, you could see if your neighbors would write letters stating they weren’t bothered by your rooster and send them to the county, etc.
I hope this helps, and I hope it works out ❤