Do you feel a licence fee would sway your local government?

[b.hromada]

I would think it would help sway them. Like you say, after all, it would be a money maker for the city/town. Thats what I thought with my city, I even brought it up at one of the Commissioners meetings. Haven't gotten an answer, so I stay under the radar for now!

 

[1acrefarm]

I think we have way too many taxes already. I already pay property taxes so I should not have to pay extra taxes to use it as I see fit.

 

[Marbleheader]

For reference, here's my towns law:

A. Except when licensed by the Board of Health pursuant to this section, live fowl may not be kept in the Town of Marblehead.

B. Any person desiring to keep live fowl shall apply to the Board of Health for a license. The license shall contain a statement of the number and kind of fowl to be licensed and such conditions as may be required by the Board of Health. Licenses may be issued for a period of time not to exceed two years and shall not be not transferable. Fees for applications and licenses under the § 13-13 shall be $25.

C. Live fowl shall include, but not be limited to, chickens, pigeons, roosters, capons, hens, turkeys, pheasant, guinea fowl, ducks and geese other than wild species.

D. No person shall keep any live fowl in any building used as a dwelling.

E. The Board of Health may require that all coops, hutches, or other such buildings used to house fowl shall be of durable construction and designed and maintained to allow for adequate cleaning and so as to prevent the harborage or shelter of rodents. All coops, structures or other such buildings used to house fowl shall be properly ventilated and kept dry. Floor surfaces shall be constructed as to be easily cleanable.

F. The owner shall provide for tightly covered and vermin-proof storage of animal feed.

G. The Board of Health may require additional conditions for the keeping of live fowl relating to sanitary conditions, the effects on the neighborhood, to promote the public health, and to assure the humane treatment of the kept fowl. The Board of Health may adopt regulations relating to the keeping of live fowl.

H. All licenses granted for the keeping of animals or live fowl may be revoked by the Board of Health upon a written finding that such revocation is necessary for the public health or safety, or that conditions of license have been violated. The revocation notice shall state the reasons for revocation.

G. Any violation of either section shall be punished by a fine not more than $50. Each day on which a violation exists shall be deemed a separate violation.


Source: http://www.ecode360.com/?custId=MA1991&guid=10437256&j=13

 

[ParkfieldFarm]

Thanks for all of your input, guys! I do like some of the wording that your town uses, Marblehead. With the 'feel' of our village, I really do feel that a license fee would go over well with the local government, making them feel like they have more control over the crazy chicken people.

Which--they would not have any control over the crazy chicken people who really care about their hens, because those people take the health and cleanliness of their birds seriously, and wouldn't think about violating health or zoning codes--they want to keep their birds. The other crazy chicken people (the real crazies) can go ahead and get in trouble with the government, because they're a bad sampling to begin with. I'd rather the general population think my birds are quaint and cute rather than compare me to a neighbor they may have that smells up the whole block. I want people to enjoy my hens (whenever I may get them!) as much as I do.

The point is, I want to be able to get them to begin with, and I think this is the best way to go about it.

I wish I could get in under the radar, but our neighbors are people who were evicted from this house four years ago. They are cranky and hate us, so I need legal allowances to have birds--there's no way they wouldn't report me. With our small lots, and their roaming dogs, there's no way I wouldn't get caught. So here I am fighting the good fight!

Thanks again for your input, all!