Chickens Not Allowed, Going to Anyway.

[Clucky42]

I'm so sorry to hear you are losing your fight to keep your chickens. Maybe you are in my neighborhood? I know there are others nearby who have chickens, illegally. I hear them sing their egg laying song and occasionally a rooster crow. I personally know there are many others in the same situation as us. We need to work together to change things! I am willing to do the majority of the leg work but at some point we will need signatures and perhaps a few Chandler residents to speak at the city council meetings. Running for City Council has crossed my mind. It's too late to get on the ballot now.... I think with the right presentation and enough supporters we can use the upcoming election to our advantage. We need to change these outdated laws and show there are residents that would like to NOT have to hide their chickens from code enforcement. Does Chandler even still have a commercial egg producer? That makes sense now why the law is what it is and the punishment is so tough. I never could understand why all the other surrounding cities have specific urban chicken laws; Chandler, a farming community, evicts chickens and pet bunnies from private residences. We spoke with code enforcement officers they admitted to having to take children's 4-H award winning bunnies, pet chickens and so on. Not for any foul offense, nuisance or actual complaint. It was always a complaint from a neighbor who is "following the law" (as you accurately put it) and felt it was their duty to turn them in. Or perhaps they don't like how their hedges are trimmed or the new shed they constructed in their backyard.
The judge literally laughed at me after hearing his calender of cases for theft, domestic violence, traffic offenses, etc-- he had to look twice at my charges: CCC: 35-701 Uses permitted (not allowed chicken, roosters) He referred me to the prosecutor. We will request a backyard inspection to show that are chickens are gone. Case dismissed. Then we shall move forward with changing the laws!

 

[BrekanArts]

Obviously, you are far more familiar with your local situation and city/state government. I cannot speak for that area, for I haven't any knowledge nor familiarity. I do know many folks (when they find out someone has chickens) assume that they must keep a smelly, nasty property. Most fowl owners are conscientious, thus the assumption is erroneous. A lot of folks simply don't know that chickens aren't synonymous with filth because they've never been around them - personally. That's simply the context of the "ignorance" reference. Some municipalities may have nefarious motives. Others do not. -and, there are a good many which will happily work with the public to address concerns and amend current ordinances per the citizen's petitions.

Well put. Unfortunately that is not the case in Chandler where big business lobbies at he local level. Even the temporary Israeli residents I live near can see it (coming from a country where they a laden with socialist bureacracy). It's clear the policy defends a "pro-capital" and "pro-business" policy and not a fear of disease.

 

[BrekanArts]

Does Chandler even still have a commercial egg producer? That makes sense now why the law is what it is and the punishment is so tough.

No we don't the last commecial farm left in the 1990s. That's what is so draconic about these stupid laws. Thanks for the PM. I'll get back to you when I got a minute to breathe.

I officially LOST. My entire flock is gone.

 

[BrekanArts]

It would seem to me chickens could be considered pets you keep outdoors....some people have Aviarys for Birds....arent chickens considered Birds?

Eben Canaries and Rabbits will raise ire with the city of Chandler. One canary inside; sure that's OK< as long as your canary doesn't escape and perch in a complaining neighbors tree in which YOU WILL BE CITED for "an animal running amuck". That's correct and a warning to Chandler pet owners; you're animals are one step (over or under the fence) from being deemed a threat to society. And that will place you in a class one misdemeanor, (i.e sitting next to a theif in jail).

 

[BrekanArts]

Clearly I'm distraught over losing my flock. They were like children and friends to this poor soul.

 

[lizanne]

In my area we can only have chickens (up to ten) if we live on a lot that is over 10,000 sq feet. *my lot is 9,600* But the wierd thing about it is that you can have any small livestock (under 200 pounds, I think) if your lot is 10,000 square feet. So we talked to our closest neighbors, and they don't have a problem with it, so we've had our coop, and 10 little chickens since March. It's crazy that it would be illegal to own chickens! Especially when (in this economy), so many people could benefit from growing and raising their own food.

 

[onehappyclucker]

We too are not 'allowed' to have chickens - but do. Through a slip hole in the system - go figure. However we are currently fighting City Council on an ordinence since some of us have been handed a notice that says they are currently not allowed.... it is a fight but would be happy to share with anyone what we have been doing. Would also like some information on what ELSE we could be doing as open forum will be coming up then voting shorly after.

 

[StormyAddyRose]

I live in Chandler and what I read in an online article is that the city is supposedly going to put it on the agenda next year. Would LOVE to be there with you and gather people so that I can have chickens in my back yard. :0)

Stormy Rose
480-326-6106
841 N Longmore St.
Chandler, AZ 85224
[email protected]

 

[StormyAddyRose]

I live in Chandler and what I read in an online article is that the city is supposedly going to put it on the agenda next year. Would LOVE to be there with you and gather people so that I can have chickens in my back yard. :0)

Stormy Rose
480-326-6106
841 N Longmore St.
Chandler, AZ 85224
[email protected]

 

[FenikT]

The key word in the definition is "customarily." Chickens are not customarily kept in households as "pets." The majority of those who own chickens do so from an agricultural standpoint - not to fulfill a desire to have a pet.

If you go fwd w/ your plan, don't boast about it. It only takes ONE nosy neighbor to report you and then you have to (1) find good homes for your "pets" and (2) likely be ticketed, be made to appear in court, pay a fine, or all the above.