Confusing ordinances

[Jennian]

X posted in the byc fb group. How do you interpret this ( tracy california)?

 

[Tonyroo]

What part don't you understand?

 

[Tonyroo]

If you keep pet chickens or any bird in the house the limit is 4.

The second paragraph refers to livestock which includes chickens. As far as being 25 feet away is just an estimation.

 

[Jennian]

So if I have 4, they don't have to be 25 feet from dwellings but, if I have 5+ they do?

 

[WIchickMama]

So if I have 4, they don't have to be 25 feet from dwellings but, if I have 5+ they do?

Yep. You can not have more than 4 house chickens bc then they are considered livestock.

 

[Jennian]

Yep. You can not have more than 4 house chickens bc then they are considered livestock.

Awesome! Thanks!

 

[Tonyroo]

So if I have 4, they don't have to be 25 feet from dwellings but, if I have 5+ they do?

Having 5 hens you don't need the 25 feet spacing rule.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can you post the actual ordinances in question? The 2nd part is confusing for sure.

As a guess, it sounds like the housing of 4 hens has to be 25' or more from any dwelling (so depending on size of your yard, that might not be possible if neighbor's houses are right up against their setback lines). But if you had 30 hens or more (i.e. zoned agricultural or rural??), then it must be 50' or more from any dwelling.

 

[Jennian]

Can you post the actual ordinances in question? The 2nd part is confusing for sure.

As a guess, it sounds like the housing of 4 hens has to be 25' or more from any dwelling (so depending on size of your yard, that might not be possible if neighbor's houses are right up against their setback lines). But if you had 30 hens or more (i.e. zoned agricultural or rural??), then it must be 50' or more from any dwelling.

Its a bit hard to find as they are in different sections but here are screenshots. Thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Its a bit hard to find as they are in different sections but here are screenshots. Thank you!

Ok, so I think I got it right. So general rule with rabbits or chickens, 30 or more chickens must be kept 50' or more from any dwelling or the aforementioned buildings/businesses. Less than 30 chickens must be kept 25' or more from any dwelling or the aforementioned buildings/businesses.

As household pets you can keep a max of 4 chickens.

I hope the 25' setback is doable - it's not unrealistic compared to some setbacks I've seen but some areas have very narrow lots that would make it problematic.