city ordiance

[scorrigan]

hi everyone,

I am new to this site and thinking about raising chickens with my kids. i live in the Tarzana, Ca. area north of Ventura blvd between Wilbur and Tampa and between Topham and Hatteress. anyone know what the city ordinance or muni codes are?? just curious before I start getting everything only to be shut down by the city. any help would be fantastic

 

[CurlyQuail]

I know LA allows chickens if they are kept 25ft from your residence and 35ft from other residences. I can’t find anything specifically for Tarzana so I’d have to assume it would fall under LA rules. You can always call 611 or contact your local city council to double check.

 

[scorrigan]

I know LA allows chickens if they are kept 25ft from your residence and 35ft from other residences. I can’t find anything specifically for Tarzana so I’d have to assume it would fall under LA rules. You can always call 611 or contact your local city council to double check.

great thanks for the info

 

[IamRainey]

Hi-

I'm in Woodland Hills. I can't remember exactly what the ordinance says but you're OK for chickens. OK for a rooster if you house him 100' from your neighbors. You can call Bob Blumenfield's office and they'll send you the ordinance so you're completely clear about the details.

Start by constructing your coop and run. Make sure they're predator proof because we have coyotes, raccoons, skunks and hawks and even if you haven't seen them they'll find your chickens. Also, if it were me, even if I planned to free range them (I did but gave up on that plan when the hawks were perched waiting for me to let my hens out) I'd plan my set up for a completely contained flock. It's only 30 days since we emerged from 2 years of restrictions that prohibited free ranging because of virulent Newcastle Disease. There's a decent possibility we'll be hit again. If you're prepared for it with adequate enclosed space you can free range until you can't and still keep your birds safe and living harmoniously.

When you do your construction it's a great idea to supply electricity. Water too if possible. We'll be in triple digits at any time now. When you have those days you need to cool your chickens down. I set up box fans. You may also want to brood out there and that means providing heat. Water is a constant need. Big capacity waterers will last longer but they're also heavier to carry so you won't want to carry them far.

You didn't ask but if you haven't set yourself up yet I recommend Agoura Feed. They're nice and reliable independent businesspeople and they'll take better care of you at better prices than Red Barn. Not that the people at Red Barn aren't nice enough but you'll go broke buying 5# bags of grit and oyster shell for the price you can get 50# for. And for almost a year they sold me feed with added calcium when I asked for all-flock (bottom line, trusting them to sell me what they said they were selling me put my rooster at risk).

Good luck with it. I've had my backyard flock for 3 years and I've just LOVED it. My neighbors have even learned to love my roo. Welcome to the BYC flock! And feel free to message me if you want more local info.

 

[scorrigan]

Hi-

I'm in Woodland Hills. I can't remember exactly what the ordinance says but you're OK for chickens. OK for a rooster if you house him 100' from your neighbors. You can call Bob Blumenfield's office and they'll send you the ordinance so you're completely clear about the details.

Start by constructing your coop and run. Make sure they're predator proof because we have coyotes, raccoons, skunks and hawks and even if you haven't seen them they'll find your chickens. Also, if it were me, even if I planned to free range them (I did but gave up on that plan when the hawks were perched waiting for me to let my hens out) I'd plan my set up for a completely contained flock. It's only 30 days since we emerged from 2 years of restrictions that prohibited free ranging because of virulent Newcastle Disease. There's a decent possibility we'll be hit again. If you're prepared for it with adequate enclosed space you can free range until you can't and still keep your birds safe and living harmoniously.

When you do your construction it's a great idea to supply electricity. Water too if possible. We'll be in triple digits at any time now. When you have those days you need to cool your chickens down. I set up box fans. You may also want to brood out there and that means providing heat. Water is a constant need. Big capacity waterers will last longer but they're also heavier to carry so you won't want to carry them far.

You didn't ask but if you haven't set yourself up yet I recommend Agoura Feed. They're nice and reliable independent businesspeople and they'll take better care of you at better prices than Red Barn. Not that the people at Red Barn aren't nice enough but you'll go broke buying 5# bags of grit and oyster shell for the price you can get 50# for. And for almost a year they sold me feed with added calcium when I asked for all-flock (bottom line, trusting them to sell me what they said they were selling me put my rooster at risk).

Good luck with it. I've had my backyard flock for 3 years and I've just LOVED it. My neighbors have even learned to love my roo. Welcome to the BYC flock! And feel free to message me if you want more local info.

Thank you for the info. Any ideas what they allow for coop sizes. I’m thinking about a custom one roughly 6-7 high so I can walk into the runs

 

[IamRainey]

I don't think there's any restriction at all on the size of your coop and run. No inspection requirement that I'm aware of either. But do call Blumenfield's office and they'll get you the exact specs. Be generous in the space you provide for your flock. 1) They'll be healthier and happier and 2) there's a VERY good chance you'll end up with more birds that you initially plan for.

I think you're smart to go custom if that's an option for you. Smart too to go high enough not to have to bend to enter. You want strong materials and you want hardware cloth dug in 12"-18" down so predators can't dig their way in. You also want latches on all your openings that can take a back-up closure. I use carabiner clips. There are also hook and eyelet closures with spring loaded back up. These things will prevent a wily and dexterous raccoon from getting in.

Consider a double door that will allow you to open the top to toss in treats without letting the chickens get through the bottom. That's something I wish I'd done.

Place it where there's maximum shade. Plan LOTS of ventilation. Make sure all that ventilation is covered with hardware cloth secured by washers and screws.

All the planning you do now will get you a better experience for the long run so read all the questions and advice around here. There are very experienced people ready to help.

 

[IamRainey]

Oh! And don't forget to have a plan for how to keep your feed safe from neighborhood vermin and your supplies at hand. Over time you'll end up with more supplies than you guess.

 

[scorrigan]

Thank you for the info. Any ideas what they allow for coop sizes. I’m thinking about a custom one roughly 6-7 high so I can walk into the runs

I appreciate it but hopefully last question I was just planning on dropping down on my grass should I prep it and make it dirt

 

[IamRainey]

I was just planning on dropping down on my grass should I prep it and make it dirt

Don't worry about it. Your chickens will take care of that for you!

Until they reduce the area to a dessert, however, they'll need some dirt/sand they can dust bathe in. You can dig up a 3'x3' patch they can scratch and dig in and clean their feathers with. They'll have a wonderful time chomping the grass and digging and snacking on bugs. You'll be amazed to see how deep they can get in even the hardest clay -- another reason to dig that hardware cloth in deep!

Don't worry about asking questions. That's how you'll set yourself and your flock up well and be able to enjoy your success.