Changing the city ordinance

[tfoiles]

Okay, I need some advice. I want to raise chickens in my backyard (between 4-6) and the city ordinance reads as follows:

"A. General Prohibition: It shall be unlawful to keep or maintain within the city any horses, mules, cattle, all bovine, goats, sheep, swine and domestic fowl of the species of chicken (including hens and roosters), geese, ducks, turkeys, guinea fowl, peacocks, pigeons and other barn fowl."

I thought that my town allowed up to four chickens at one time but this was changed to the above a few years ago. I've read other posts on this subject but the ones I've read so far sounded like they had some wiggle room to maneuver. Any suggestions on how to approach changing this ordinance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[J's Orpingtons]

HI

Do you live in a Town or a big City? If you live in a Town and you have a Mayor write him a letter regaruding Chickens.

 

[Arcnadius]

Start with the mayor or city council about an ordinance change. Also check with zoning as they may be able to help/give advice regarding zoning variances that may allow you to have chickens where you live.

 

[tfoiles]

I live in a town (population approx 28,000). I figured on approaching my alderman first and asking him the correct protocol re getting this ordinance changed or obtaining info re a variance that would allow me to have chickens in my backyard. Thanks, any other tips are appreciated!

 

[pipbrant]

This is how the city of Hollywood law reads:

§ 92.02 KEEPING OF ANIMALS AND FOWL WITHIN CITY PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS.
(A) The maintaining of slaughterhouses within the city is prohibited. The keeping of poultry, dogs, cattle and other domestic or wild animals within the city is prohibited except as provided in the Zoning Code of the city; however, the keeping of dogs and other small domestic animals as household pets shall be permitted within the city, but said household pets shall not be kept for breeding purposes.
(B) All places where the keeping of poultry, dogs, cattle and other domestic animals and the maintained of slaughterhouses were permitted prior to June 10, 1958, are excepted from this section, except that in the event any such places shall cease to keep poultry, dogs, cattle and other domestic animals or to maintain slaughterhouses, such businesses shall be prohibited thereafter.

First dogs are not allowed and then they are along with" small domestic animals." Recently the city of Hollywood, FL considers chicken keeping equivalent to a meth lab. I had an armed police woman and a code officer deliver a court attendance notice at my door step. This was two months after I had complied with the citation!!!

No one at city hall will meet with me to discuss the ordinance's meaning. No one get us an appointment at the city commissioner meeting. There is a fire wall set up. Another man was fined 200,000.00!

Any advice?

 

[jaj121159]

Several areas allow a citizen to file an application to change zoning ordinances. I would check with the Planning Department and see if you may directly file an amendment. If you can do this be prepared with a good presentation to the Planning Commission. Whenever you file an amendment or get an amendment introduced to the zoning regulations, it can't be overstated how important it is to get the Planning Dept. staff on your side. A good Planning Department will assist you in preparing your amendment and support it, if it makes sense. From your comments it sounds like it may of been recently changed not to allow chickens. If this is the case, do some research and find out why it was changed.

 

[jt1950]

I live in a town (population approx 28,000). I figured on approaching my alderman first and asking him the correct protocol re getting this ordinance changed or obtaining info re a variance that would allow me to have chickens in my backyard. Thanks, any other tips are appreciated!

if we collect signatures and turn in to the proper authority they might consider it , red that in the future "get a permit ($$$) and a course in Florida university how to care for poultry" is possible to collect signatures and try.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

In a small town, your best chances of getting an ordinance change involve either a wellspring of community support, or getting yourself a seat on the city board. Small elections are easy to influence, they tend to have very low voter participation. Both processes take a long time.

You might have better (certainly quicker) results seeking an exemption, but those chances remain quite low.