DEVASTATED!!! ..... anyone, please help.

[chics in the sun]

Yep, two members listed as being in Spring Hill - follow this link and they are listed on the first page. Maybe they could help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=305793

 

[kidcallous]

Quote:
Trust me, I was as surprised as you. Some areas of Hernando County and Spring Hill allow chickens: if the land is zoned as agricultural/residential. Because I live in a Residential area, I am not allowed to have them.

I called the zoning department, animal services and the code enforcement office. It's really dumb. I am searching the county sites to see if anyone has filed this type of appeal in the past, and what the results were. All I've found so far is this weird case that went to the board about Brehm poultry farm from 1999, where they were becoming a nuisance with their operation (dead chickens in same cages with live layers, overrun with flies, manure spilling into the neighbors well water supply).... Still looking for zoning requests, and I found some other resources where I can write a well-informed letter to the county. Unfortunately though, if it has to go through the hoops, I'll have to give up - I can't fork up 250 bucks right now...

 

[kidcallous]

Quote:
I have PM'd 2 of the "Spring Hill" members, and they are actually in northern Pasco county so don't have any way to assist. I'm in southern Hernando. I guess for them it's easier to say Spring Hill than to say Shady Hills or Hudson (2 other Pasco towns which use the name Spring Hill).

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Bummer. You can always "Go Rogue" like we do! We even had a neighbor complain to the town (after 2 of our sexed chickens became roos!). We smoothed it over with the neighbor (got rid of the roos) AND the Zoning Enforcement officer, who couldn't possibly have cared less. Everyone's happy and we keep our chickens. No money expended and we're not in compliance with the law!

HOWEVER, if you intend to go the outlaw route as MANY of us do, it's not a good idea to share your name and/or address with the town officials you contact. It's best to fly under the radar when you're on the "wrong side" of the law.

 

[dntd]

Stick with 6 hens or less, they are easier to hide Mine are in the gray area and we have much less land.

 

[kidcallous]

we were planning originally to get 4. I am reading and reading the ordinances, and although it doesnt say that you CAN have chickens, it doesnt exactly say you CAN'T. I wish I had just stayed naive and not been so RESPONSIBLE! I'm very torn. They also make these ordinances and code so convoluded and tedious... my eyes are crossing from all the bullsh--um bull poop!

 

[kcfuerst]

Quote:
I can't tell you how right on target this information is. In fact, I think I may have written these directions! lol. In my case, my city took a year to change the ordinance in my favor and even though they permitted up to 10 chickens already, now everyone can get a "special annual $25 permit" to keep poultry closer to the property line than the previously required 20 feet (for which I had been fined and punished by a rude, hateful and psychotic neighbor.

I'm here to tell you this process can work if done correctly. My biggest example for residential leniency was the CITY OF SAN DIEGO, CA!! If they can do it, any city can!!!

Good luck. Be prepared, however, to rehome your current flock. It will be a GOOD idea to be in complete compliance until such time as the municipal code has been changed.

 

[kidcallous]

Quote:
The bigger obstacle I'm seeing is that there is currently no clear ordinance about keeping chickens. I am sending my DH down to town tomorrow to start the legwork with the county, but I am not hopeful. I think it would be easier to get them to change an existing ordinance as you did - than actually creating a new ordinance like we would need to do. I spent most of the day (slacking at work!) calling the county, getting answering machines or a representative on the phone that was about as good as an answering machine. It's going to be a bumpy ride, folks.

 

[calista]

Quote:
I can't tell you how right on target this information is. In fact, I think I may have written these directions! lol. In my case, my city took a year to change the ordinance in my favor and even though they permitted up to 10 chickens already, now everyone can get a "special annual $25 permit" to keep poultry closer to the property line than the previously required 20 feet (for which I had been fined and punished by a rude, hateful and psychotic neighbor.

I'm here to tell you this process can work if done correctly. My biggest example for residential leniency was the CITY OF SAN DIEGO, CA!! If they can do it, any city can!!!

Good luck. Be prepared, however, to rehome your current flock. It will be a GOOD idea to be in complete compliance until such time as the municipal code has been changed.

So sorry I did not give credit where credit was due! (I forgot to link to the site and now I can't find it.) You wrote an excellent essay for a wannabe-poultry keeper, and I thank you.

 

[La_TomboyGirl]

I ,personally,would totally go outlaw style. Get a few girls, hand raise them so they come to you without a fuss, & make their run/coop very lowkey/screen with vegetation. I think you'd be fine, esp. since you are almost in the ag area anyway. I went vigilante style on my cruddy landlord who'd never fix a darn thing like sewage leaks, etc. but was against ANY outside animals even though we were rural by placing a custom 6' tall stand-up hutch with 4 roomy compartments within the bushy branches of a giant cedar beside my house. The branches went all the way to the ground & the diameter was huge- like 20-25'' wide, so I nestled that bugger up in there & they were safe from rain , sun, etc. because of the branches. Everyday when I came home, I'd let them roam the yard for hours while I worked in my lil garden & played with the kids outside. We weren't allowed to even have a fence! But anyway, they were really good & quiet & we had no issues with anyone at all. They liked being in their "tree house" & seemed very content in there. Now we have moved & have a big run 250+ sq.feet for them to enjoy, as well as free ranging in the yard once I get home to supervise, but I'll always remember our small, clandestine beginnings!LOL It's not really as hard or major as it seems...lots of good, generally law-abiding people do the same. Check this link out & be sure to click on the lil links on the right side of the page where customers tell their personal experiences. I think that coop looks pretty easy to build on your own too, without having to order the premade deal. In the end, do whatever you think is best for your situation. )

http://www.henspa.com/hencondo.htm