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

[LarryPQ]

Check your county assessor's website. If they have all the deeds online, it should be pretty apparent what you are zoned as.

Property taxes will getcha every time.

 

[kidcallous]

Well I found this not-so-helpful information.

1. PDP (Single-Family): All permitted uses and special exception uses allowed in the R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2.5, R-2 and R-1MH zoning districts which have been specifically designated or specified in the narrative or on the master plan.

Anyone speak municode that can translate that? Does this mean that if I can find the OK for keeping chickens in one of those zoning districts, I can choose to keep chickens? Is this a "choose your district" type of deal?

 

[LarryPQ]

It means you need to figure out which one your parcel is zoned as.

Then the zoning code will tell if you are allowed or not. There will be a distinction between "animal husbandry" and "pet keeping". Lots of places--counties especially-- do not consider chickens livestock, since they cannot get rabies. But when I looked in Hernando county, it seemed there was SOME leeway, assuming you were zoned correctly.

The order will be:
Municipal code (check definitions)
Zoning Ordinances (check for exceptions)
HOA/neighborhood restrictions.

Also--give animal control a try. sometimes the people who have to go confiscate the animals know a little more than the clerks printing out copies of code.

 

[chzheadgrl]

I completely understand your frustration! I own 1 acre in an agriculture area and my ordinance say that I have to have TWO ACRES to have any horses, pigs and chickens. I already have one, which is the best pet that we have ever had! So, we are going to keep them on the grounds that when we bought our house, the previous owners had chickens...

My thing is that it's OUR property! As long as we are not doing anything unreasonable why are they able to tell us that we can't feed our children fresh eggs, or even fresh chicken meat?

 

[kidcallous]

Update: I did call and my research has been confirmed. Chickens are prohibited in my district. This is just rediculous. And on top of that, to file an appeal to ask them to reconsider land use, I have to pay 200 dollars, just to ask.

What do my taxes pay for if I can't even ask an ordinance to be reconsidered without coming out of pocket with 3 days pay? I am sick to my stomach about this. It disgusts me.

 

[illegal avian]

Quote:

 

[kidcallous]

If only it were that easy. If I did decide to say 'forget it'..... the first fine would have me looking for new homes. I would rather not even get attached. Maybe I will take all the doggone wood I bought and built a rabbit hutch instead. Pff I can't wait until I can leave this God forsaken town.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
The city has workers whom must be paid. Some parts of their jobs are covered by tax $; however, requests to do things differently require extra work. Is it fair to ask other citizens to pay for what will benefit only you? This is the reason for building permit and plann assessment fees; for fees to file for a variance, etc.

If you want to start a grass roots movement to completely change the ordinance, that is a different thing entirely, but you would probably have to show widespread support for or interest in the idea.

 

[kidcallous]

Quote:
The city has workers whom must be paid. Some parts of their jobs are covered by tax $; however, requests to do things differently require extra work. Is it fair to ask other citizens to pay for what will benefit only you? This is the reason for building permit and plann assessment fees; for fees to file for a variance, etc.

If you want to start a grass roots movement to completely change the ordinance, that is a different thing entirely, but you would probably have to show widespread support for or interest in the idea.

I understand that the city has workers that must be paid and that naturally, my tax dollars will contribute to that; however I disagree w/your comment that other citizens will pay for what will benefit only myself. The absolute nature of this type of ordinance is right-stripping. One of the reasons why I purchased a house outside of a deed-restricted community was naturally the lack of deed restrictions. I purchased the house many years ago before I even considered keeping chickens. I understand the need for ordinances, and appreciate the ordinances to some respect. My point is, set up the ordinances to allow your residents freedom and opportunity. 50 chickens in a standard 80 x 100 residential lot? That could get out of hand for sure. There is a need for boundaries, I get that, but to say absolutely under no circumstances just seems slightly skewed to me.

On the sunny side up: from reviewing the ordinances, I did learn that I could run a bed and breakfast from my house if I want. Just can't supply my own eggs apparently.

As far as expense is concerned - it's not possible for me to cough up $250 in the off-chance that they'll say yes, and make an exception for me.

 

[chics in the sun]

I find it really hard to believe people in Tampa and St.Petersburg (where I am) can have chickens in the middle of the city, and someone in Spring Hill CANT?! Is there a humane society you could call? Maybe they would know for sure. And if you're that far from other neighbors and in an agricultural area, is anyone really going to check? I swear there is someone on this board that raises and SELLS chickens that is from Spring Hill!