Disappointed

[sheila3935]

call animal control for your county ask if you can have chickens and what are the laws concerning them. Thats what I did before we got ours and was told so long as the coop is 75 ft from our neighbors house. Roosters are allowed so long as noone complains then it fall under nuisance law.

 

[La Mike]

Quote:
Also you can contact your local Wildlife and Fisheries office and they should be able to tell you

 

[Hottchick]

I think I've developed my plan of attack. I am going to proceed with my plans to get some chicks. I will try to apply for a permit and if that doesn't work out I will see what I can do to amend it if possible. I know most of the people on my Town Commissioners (who are responsible for amending the ordinances). I can legally have the chickens until they are 4 months old anyhow. Maybe by then if anyone has a concern they can come visit my home and see how well they are doing!

Yes, the 20,00 was a typo. I wasn't reading the screen as I was typing. It does say 20,000 square feet per animal.

 

[Hottchick]

Latest update. I went to the Town Hall and inquired further about the 20,000 sq. ft. and it does at this point include chickens as livestock. It is ridiculous to everyone and the clerk will bring it before the council at the next meeting. It seems like no one else has brought it up so the ordinance has remained as is. It seems there is not even a permit if I wanted one. So, plans proceed. I am going forward and if problems come up later, we'll deal with them.

The Chief of Police was there when I told them what my plans were. I don't imagine any problems coming up. Yay!

 

[onthespot]

If there is a complaint, there will be problems. Just because he saw you say you plan to jaywalk and did/said nothing, doesn't mean you won't get a ticket if he sees you jaywalk.

 

[Rozzie]

Any proper ordinance will have a section with definitions. A term like livestock should be defined in that section. The definitions of words used there are the ones that you use. You need to find that section of the ordinance, and see if livestock is defined in it.

 

[Hottchick]

Well, now I am really upset. Got my chicks a week ago after I had spoken with the town clerk who was going to address the issue with the board. I don't know if it's valid concerns or just laziness but they refuse to change the ordinance. Now I have chickens that I can't legally keep. I can't and won't get rid of them now. To legally keep them I could only have 2 on my property (1 acre piece of land) and they have to get permission from all of my neighbors. My neighbors didn't need permission to keep their dog who regularly bites my vehicle and has ruined the paint job and poops in my front yard. Neither did my other neighbor who has 4 dogs that like to bark the entire time I'm in my yard. It is just ridiculous.

I think I'll just put the pen where it's not very visible and hope for the best. What else can I do?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Did you go to the council meeting? Did you provide some proposed changes?

If not, try bringing the issue up again with proposed changes. Make them as clear and simple as possible, and provide each council member with a copy ahead of time. Make sure you follow whatever your town's protocol is for changing ordinances or zoning, and be sure to work with city staff, not bypass them.

Rather than writing a new ordinance, amend the existing one. For example, rather than one livestock animal per acre, try one livestock unit per acre, and then define livestock unit by weight or measurement. For example a fully grown horse or cow could qualify as one unit; however, a pony might be 3/4 unit; sheep, goats or mini horses would be one 1/2 to 1/3 unit; pygmy goats, geese or swans 1/4 unit; chickens and ducks would be 1/8 unit. Provide documented information about animal care and the size of needed facilities. Take into consideration the amount of land after housing and typical outbuilding (not counting those for the animals) footprints are deducted.

 

[chuckzoo]

Quote:
I totally agree!

 

[Hottchick]

I did a little more research and it's actually against the law in NC to sell chickens as pets! Wow, I don't think I'd have much of a leg to stand on if I try to fight it. I might just have to try it and see what happens.

I didn't actually go to the meeting myself. If it comes to someone reporting me at some point, I will fight it further. I am gathering information right now to use if it comes to that. The town ordinance states you cannot keep livestock after four months of age so at least I have a cushion if need be. I guess we'll see what happens.