- Apr 2, 2009
- 12
- 1
- 24
Man, this is disappointing. I was really excited to get started with 3-4 pullets in a few weeks and it'll be my first time trying to raise chickens. My yard is smack-dab in the middle of Memphis, and about 3000 square-feet - so zoning ordinances may be a problem.
I'm really curious to see how this works out for you. I was sure there were no laws prohibiting small flocks of chickens within the city.
The only places the city ordinance mentions fowl are here:
"Sec. 8-8-1 General maintenance requirements for animals and fowl.
No animal or fowl shall be kept or confined where the water, shelter, ventilation and food are not sufficient and wholesome for the preservation of its health and safe condition. No animal or fowl shall be kept in such place or condition as to become a nuisance either because of odor or contagion of disease. (Code 1985 § 5-2; Ord. 3189 § 1, 3-9-82; Code 1967 § 7-20)
Sec. 8-8-2 Running at large of livestock and fowl prohibited.
It is unlawful for any person in charge of any animal, including, but not limited to cattle, swine, sheep, horses, mules, goats or any offensive animal, or any chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys or other fowl, to permit it to run at large upon any street, alley or unenclosed lot within the city. (Code 1985 § 5-3; Ord. 3189 § 1, 3-9-82; Code 1967 § 7-21)
Sec. 8-8-3 Impoundment, redemption and disposition.
...
B. Fowl. It shall be the duty of the administrator in charge of the animal shelter, or his or her agent, to cause fowl running at large in violation of Section 8-8-2 of this code to be apprehended and incarcerated in the city animal shelter.
C. If within three business days from the day such fowl is incarcerated the owner or person in charge thereof calls for same, such fowl may be released upon the payment of ten dollars ($10.00) for each fowl so impounded plus seven dollars ($7.00) for each day of confinement to defray the cost of the capture of such animal and the protection of the public.
D. If no one comes forward to claim the above-incarcerated fowl within the three business day period, such shall be considered abandoned property and will become the property of the city. (Ord. 5214 §§ 1, 46, 9-7-07; Ord. 4-2-47 § 11, 4-5-94; Code 1985 § 5-4; Ord. 3189 § 1, 3-9-82; Code 1967 §§ 7-22, 7-23)"
I can't find anywhere else in the code that even mentions chickens, especially in the zoning ordinances.
There are also no relevant county or state laws that I can find. At the state level they prohibit the sale of "dyed chicks" as novelty pets. And at the county level they talk a lot about noise issues.
I feel like as long as you weren't the subject of a noise or sanitation complaint, then there's no case against you. Someone with the city just has too much time on their hands - which is ridiculous because Memphis City Officials have lots of work to be doing!
Please let us know how this turns out!
I'm really curious to see how this works out for you. I was sure there were no laws prohibiting small flocks of chickens within the city.
The only places the city ordinance mentions fowl are here:
"Sec. 8-8-1 General maintenance requirements for animals and fowl.
No animal or fowl shall be kept or confined where the water, shelter, ventilation and food are not sufficient and wholesome for the preservation of its health and safe condition. No animal or fowl shall be kept in such place or condition as to become a nuisance either because of odor or contagion of disease. (Code 1985 § 5-2; Ord. 3189 § 1, 3-9-82; Code 1967 § 7-20)
Sec. 8-8-2 Running at large of livestock and fowl prohibited.
It is unlawful for any person in charge of any animal, including, but not limited to cattle, swine, sheep, horses, mules, goats or any offensive animal, or any chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys or other fowl, to permit it to run at large upon any street, alley or unenclosed lot within the city. (Code 1985 § 5-3; Ord. 3189 § 1, 3-9-82; Code 1967 § 7-21)
Sec. 8-8-3 Impoundment, redemption and disposition.
...
B. Fowl. It shall be the duty of the administrator in charge of the animal shelter, or his or her agent, to cause fowl running at large in violation of Section 8-8-2 of this code to be apprehended and incarcerated in the city animal shelter.
C. If within three business days from the day such fowl is incarcerated the owner or person in charge thereof calls for same, such fowl may be released upon the payment of ten dollars ($10.00) for each fowl so impounded plus seven dollars ($7.00) for each day of confinement to defray the cost of the capture of such animal and the protection of the public.
D. If no one comes forward to claim the above-incarcerated fowl within the three business day period, such shall be considered abandoned property and will become the property of the city. (Ord. 5214 §§ 1, 46, 9-7-07; Ord. 4-2-47 § 11, 4-5-94; Code 1985 § 5-4; Ord. 3189 § 1, 3-9-82; Code 1967 §§ 7-22, 7-23)"
I can't find anywhere else in the code that even mentions chickens, especially in the zoning ordinances.
There are also no relevant county or state laws that I can find. At the state level they prohibit the sale of "dyed chicks" as novelty pets. And at the county level they talk a lot about noise issues.
I feel like as long as you weren't the subject of a noise or sanitation complaint, then there's no case against you. Someone with the city just has too much time on their hands - which is ridiculous because Memphis City Officials have lots of work to be doing!
Please let us know how this turns out!
