Does the city check??

[runspotrun]

Hi, everyone! I'm new here, don't even have our chicks yet (this weekend, I hope). I'm wondering, I have a very small back yard, where I will house the chickens, and an enclosed pen, etc. The house is very cute, painted, etc., and I plan on keeping the whole operation very clean. Our front yard is well kept, landscaped, etc. We're in the middle of town. There really is no reason we should attract undo attention from the city. We've spoken to our neighbors and they are very supportive. We are allowed two chickens in our town, and we're getting four.

So finally I get to my question: Do most city governments go around checking back yards for chickens and other outlaw animals? If so, I may have to dress mine up as little dogs...

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Most places inspect based upon complaints. No complaints, no inspection. If you are on a very public thoroughfare, you are more likely to generate random complaints than if your lot is buried in the midst of neighborhood streets, in which case complaints are likely to come only from those who live nearby. In either case, I hope you have no complaints.

 

[runspotrun]

Thanks for the encouragement! I hope not too. Hopefully I can keep things reasonably clean and quiet, and provide my neighbors some eggs!

 

[aggie9296]

depends on how aggressive code enforcement is. around here, they don't do much even with complaints.

 

[Woodcutterron]

Aggie is right, it really depends on how aggressive Code enforcement is.Unfortunately, that is subject to change depending on mandates from an 'unfriendly' council, or even an individual code enforcement officers whims or prejudices. I live in a town that used to tell folks they weren't allowed to have chickens if ya called City Hall . . . even though there is no actual prohibition. I'm not aware of anyone being prosecuted, but they sure told folks they couldn't if someone asked.

I was only made aware of that on another forum, so I called City Hall myself and sure enough, I was told the same thing. I set them straight pretty quickly and in no uncertain terms. I have well over 75 chickens on 5/8th of an acre, they know it, and based on past dealings know it's best not to get me wound up. Sadly, my fellow Americans have become quite soft, and don't seem to realize our government doesn't control us. I of course do know this. We don't have to ask permission to exercise liberties with what we do or keep on our own property that do not unduly and demonstrably infringe on the liberties of another.

Our founding fathers essentially told King George to kiss our butts when he became too overbearing. Well . . .many local governments are overbearing on the chicken issue. Guess what we need to tell them?

Unlike at state and Federal Levels, where it's pretty difficult for one person to make a difference, most U.S. Citizens have WAY more "political clout" than they think they do at county and city levels. They just don't use it. I do.