Code Enforcement at my front door!

[Robin'sBrood]

Darn meddling neighbors!

If the CE officer said he closed the case I would just do what you're planning on doing and carry on.

 

[Cetawin]

I am so sorry you are going through this. I cannot understand why some people have to complain about stupid things like "construction going on" I hate it worse that someone has the right to say what goes on within the boundaries of our own property.

You are nice I am not...I would be down renting a jackhammer and jackhammering all day every day for the next week during the allowable noise hours. Then they would think my coop building or chickens were quiet in comparison

 

[Chicken Fruit]

Oh the wonders of thick pine hedges and tall solid fences.

Stupid neighbors!

Theyre just chickens. You'd most likely get a warning before they show up and take them- so maybe you could have a back up plan of where to send them if they complain about them later. I'd rather keep them and risk them being taken than i would fighting city hall.

 

[Chicken Fruit]

Quote:
Yeah. I agree.

 

[horsejody]

There was a case recently in a town near us where a couple was told by a code enforcement officer that they would have to get rid of their chickens. Well, it turned out that the ordinance the officer was quoting didn't prohibit chickens. Now the town is searching their books to see if there are any rules prohibiting chickens. Nobody even complained. The officer just took it upon himself to tell them they couldn't have poultry because he didn't think that they were appropriate. He pinned a notice to their door saying they had a week to get rid of them. Fortunately the couple questioned it, and the notice was voided.

If anybody is ever told that chickens are proibited, they should always ask to see the specific ordinance to see if it really applies.

http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10614940


ETA: welcome to BYC

 

[cafarmgirl]

Ugh! Meddling neighbors with nothing better to do then complain about something. And, how did the complainer know whether or not you had obtained permits to build? I too would definately want to know who the complainer was, I think you have that right. I don't know why some people have to be such jerks. Sorry you have that to deal with. On the brighter side, go ahead and enjoy your chickens and your new coop!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Some construction is inappropriate and SHOULD be complained about. There are reasons for building codes and permits. Like it or not, if you live in a community, you need to abide by the rules. If you don't like the rules, become active in the political process to get them changed.

There was a HUGE underground fire that partially destroyed the house behind my parents and the house across theirr street. If things had been up to code, it is unlikely that it would have happened.

My neighbor built a building that looks like a warehouse that should be in an industrial park right behind my property--it is a huge eyesore visible from every single window in my house. It violated CC&Rs (too close to the property line) & city code (too tall). Was I wrong to complain? I don't care what he does as long as he abides by the rules.

 

[Leisa]

Quote:
Be that as it may, our code enforcement officer stated we were correct in NOT having to pull a permit. We obeyed the Homeowners Association rules of our neighborhood. Sadly, our home now has 3 homes in my backyard on the other side of the fence, that were forrest when we purchased our home. Must I abide by a neighborhood's homeowner association that did not exsist when we bought our home?

As you can see we did not throw up a shanty coop but took time and effort to make it fit in with the main house, and be hidden from MY neighbors view. As for the 3 homes that built in my backyard, I can't help that.

Where I did go wrong was not understanding all the nuances of the code. I assumed county which is where we are zoned allowed chickens. Well county R-1 does, but not R-2. Now we will have to decide do we try and change ordinances, or do we lay low?

Thank you all for your responses.

We are putting up some privacy fence panels and landscaping to make the structure less noticeable. I am not worried about noise since it is at least 200-300 feet away from any building, and has mature landscaping to buffer.

Leisa

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

OK, I guess I am not too familiar with building codes....I guess I will have my husband fill me in on a lesson as he is a building/hardwood floor contractor.

We live way out in the country and we all build anything we want around here. We know everyone really well up to like 4 miles in each direction. We all exchange critters, homemade butter/jellies, and friendships. No one would ever call and report someone building a chicken coop, especially one as nice as yours! I am sure glad I live here

And I hope your neighbor friend who made a complaint finds something more constructive to do with their time.

I hope all goes well and you don't have any more trouble. Good Luck!!

 

[Thomas423]

In my county there are many different zones i.e. northern agricultural, rural residential, town, business, industrial etc. etc. In EVERY zone agricultural use is allowed. When I went to the definition of agricultural it was very basic but basically covers plants and animals used for food. My chickens are for eggs, therefore they are agricultural use. Also, most states and counties have "Right to Farm" ordinances now. They are designed to protect the farmers but could also apply to the "backyard farmer". In my state farmers are protected against complaints about noises and smells that are usual and not harmful. Go online and read the ordinances yourself. The state you live in has their zoning code and then each county and/or town has adopted their own set of ordinances from the state code. Usually the local law rules over the state law.