City Codes in Tucson....

[rebbetzin]

Our city is somewhat chicken friendly, as long as no one complains, they don't enforce the city codes on fowl/poultry housing.

I had my coop since 2008...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/glenn-cottage-eggery

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/coop-construction

But... in July, someone, not any of my near neighbors, complained about my coop! We are pretty sure it was the HOA of the Condos next door to us. But the coop was on the other side of the yard from the condos.

What was really sad is I not only had to get rid of my hens, I had to dismantle the coop!!
That is something I don't understand. And the city can fine us $100.00 a day for non-compliance to the code!!

We took the coop apart carefully, and maybe someday I will be able to have chickens again if the city changes the codes.



I am just plain sad

 

[mrchicks]

I'm sad for you. Are you going to try to get the code changed?

 

[rebbetzin]

I'm sad for you. Are you going to try to get the code changed?

At the moment, we have some real chicken haters that attend the city council meetings. I haven't been to one, but know people who attend. The current codes say "housing for fowl must be 50 feet from the nearest neighbors residence." Well, given most of our lots in this subdivision are 50 to 60 feet wide, that makes it next to impossible to build any structure that is 50 feet from the residence of another neighbor.

Many are trying to get the city to change the codes. But, so far no luck. Though, many people go ahead and bank on their neighbors not complaining. Though this ordeal, I met lots of "underground" chicken keepers. Even people who have goats and roosters in a local condo complex. But, in that person's case, he has neighbors that love the animals.

I do hope and pray soon the city council will see fit to change the codes. They are considering a code where you could have a coop, less than 6ft tall, no more than 12sq ft. and it could be located 10ft from your own fence, and the "corral area" could butt up to the fence. That would be much better. That means a pretty small coop. With our mild winters, one could make a roosting area from hay bales with a cover, that might not be considered a "coop" per se....